FARGO -- With the catastrophic flood threat to the Fargo-Moorhead community lessening, North Dakota State is turning one eye to salvaging its spring athletic season. It won't be easy.
The snow storm hitting the valley this week will probably force the Bison into the Fargodome for most, if not all, of its 15-practice spring football season. But just when that will be is uncertain because of sandbagging operations.
Spring practice was slated to begin last week. But because of the late start and citing the flood emergency, NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor said his department will file an appeal to the NCAA to allow it for a later start.
NCAA rules do not allow mandatory football workouts the last week of this semester and finals week. Head coach Craig Bohl said no starting date has been set.
"A lot of things are up in the air," he said.
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In previous years, NDSU was able to use the old Dacotah Field for some non-padded workouts. That's not an option this year because the new Sprinturf project did not get finished as hoped last fall.
Taylor said the department was able to save money for the externally funded $400,000 project by allowing Sprinturf workers to start in October, instead of in the busy summer season. But work stopped when the ground froze and it will not resume until it thaws, Taylor said.
"It's definitely disappointing it's not ready for spring," he said.
The Bison softball team, meanwhile, is playing its Summit League home opener in Ames, Iowa. The Bison played a doubleheader at Iowa State Tuesday and will stay there to play IUPUI Thursday and Friday.
"Iowa State has been very accommodating," said head softball coach Darren Mueller.
The baseball team opens its Summit League season Thursday with a four-game series at Southern Utah. Its home opener last week against Concordia already postponed, it is scheduled to host Mayville State on April 7.
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