For the second year in a row, the Bison football team played one of their last games of the year on the same weekend as an early season road game for the men’s basketball team. And for the second year in a row with Scott Miller handling the play-by-play duties for the football game, I was fortunate enough to be sent out on the road to Orem, Utah, to call the first game of the post-Big Four era for the Bison Radio Network. With a different cast of characters from a season ago, we headed out on Thursday, Nov. 12, for the Friday game. Here’s my account of the radio road trip.

 

Thursday

We met up early in the afternoon at Hector International Airport to start our trek out to Utah. The team was just arriving when my wonderful sister Kim dropped me off to meet up with the rest of the squad. Director of Operations Dan Weisse was there to get everyone started with, of course, a meal. Those of you who read last year’s article may remember how nearly the entire article revolved around eating. While this may be a new year, some things never change.

 

One difference this year is the bonus of having assistant sports information director Ryan Perreault on the trip. Ryan, along with Jeff Schwartz, Jenny Beam and crew, does a great job helping out the local media folks like me get the information we need. They don’t get enough credit, so here’s some for them.

 

After connecting in Minneapolis we landed in Salt Lake City and bussed our way down to Orem. On the way we passed the Stockton to Malone used car lot. A little research showed it’s owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller. And that was the most exciting thing we saw on our drive through Salt Lake City. Gotta love Utah!

 

We arrived in Orem and went to practice at the arena, the highlight of which was a banner hanging up for winning the United Basketball League in Tim Miles’ final year at NDSU. The fun part about that is the league was only a scheduling agreement, not an actual league. I plan on putting a banner in my living room for most radio trip articles ever written in Bison Illustrated to tie them for most fake banners in one building.

 

Friday

It’s game day and the players seem to be upbeat and ready to go. On the other hand, the coaching staff seems a little nervous, with the exception of head coach Saul Phillips. And the only reason I say that is because Saul was a ghost. He was nowhere to be found. For all I knew he had flown back to Fargo. He wasn’t there for breakfast at IHOP or the pregame meal at Chili’s. Coach Phillips is one of the most engaging people I have ever met, but he cares so much about this team that he disappears on game day to focus and prepare for the game. He’s the type of coach fans wants leading their program.

 

After those two meals it was off to the game, a disappointing loss for the Bison, who led at halftime and couldn’t overcome an early second half run. Saul informed me after the game that since the loss pushed the Bison to 1-2 with me on road trips that I would no longer be welcome back. He was kidding, of course, but I still feel responsible.

 

Saturday

After a short night’s sleep we were back up the next day to make our trip back to Fargo. Although it hadn’t snowed yet in Fargo at the time, we ran into quite a bit of snow on the drive from Orem to Salt Lake City. Next year I’m going to try to convince Athletics Director Gene Taylor to schedule a trip for me in Hawaii. It’s worth a shot.

 

On the plane ride from Salt Lake City to Fargo I sat next to freshman big man Jordan Aaberg and had the chance to talk to him for a while. It was great to talk to one of the new members of the team, and Jordan was a really nice guy who is genuinely excited to be a part of the Bison tradition. It really is fun to see what kind of kids the Bison are bringing into the program and they certainly got a good person in Aaberg.

 

We finally arrived back into Fargo late Saturday afternoon to end the brief trip to start the season. Despite the outcome, it was a fun trip with the guys and good to get a chance to see the new-look Bison right away in the season. And with any luck, I’ll be able to convince Saul to let me come back for Part 3 next season.