UND D-I Reclassification FAQ

The University of North Dakota will begin the five-year transition process with an exploratory year in 2007-08. (2)

UND will be eligible for D-I playoffs in 2012-13. (3)

UND's D-I men's and women's hockey teams will continue to be playoff eligible throughout the transition. (3)

UND will join the Great West Football Conference beginning in the Fall of 2008. (7)

UND has not yet been invited to join a D-I conference for its sports other than hockey and football. UND administration has discussed the Big Sky and Summit League (formerly Midcontinent) conferences as “being looked at”. (3)

UND's D-I task force report estimated that at a minimum the school would need at least $2,000,000/year more than it currently spends on athletics. (2) President Kupchella noted that the cost increases would come mainly from grants-in-aid and travel. (2)

UND hired Carr & Associates to assess its D-I transition. Their most recent report estimated athletic expenses would rise from $9,473,486 in 2006-07 to $18,051,734 by 2012-13 ($4.5m of which from inflation). (5)

The Carr report (4) broke down recommended increases in 2012 budgets as follows:

• * Investment in scholarships for student athletes increase from about $1.7 million to about $4.5 million.
• * Salary costs for new coaches and other staff increase from about $3.1 million to about $5.4 million.
• * Sports operations costs, including team travel and recruiting operations, increase from about $1.5 million to about $3.6 million.

President Kupchella noted the need for “some combination of an increased student fee and the building of an athletic program endowment.” (2)

AD Tom Buning has noted that a $46/semester increase in fees would generate $1,000,000. When asked what portion of additional funds would come from each potential source (alumni, student fees, etc…), Buning said the burden would be shared equally. (3)

The most recent Carr Report recommended raising student fees by $35 next year and up to an additional $72 in subsequent years (4).

No plans have been made for UND and NDSU to compete in any sports.

1. (1) UND's NCAA Classification Task Force Report, May 31, 2006
2. (2) REA Press Release - UND to move all athletics program to Division I, June 21, 2006
3. (3) UND Intercollegiate Athletic Committee Meeting notes, September 27, 2006
4. (4) D-I jump could mean doubled fees, Grand Forks Herald, April 13, 2007
5. (5) D-I move could double athletic costs, Grand Forks Herald, April 11, 2007
6. (6) UND Intercollegiate Athletic Committee Meeting notes, March 20, 2007
7. (7) University of North Dakota to join Great West, Great West Conference press release, August 2, 2007