FARGO, N.D. — Past the large pirate ship anchored in the indoor pool in the middle of the local Holiday Inn and steps away from the makeshift casino area lined with slot machines, North Dakota State coach Tim Polasek walked into his first weekly radio show of the season and was greeted like a conquering hero.
Nearly every table in the lounge area, which was advertising mystery shots for $2.50 apiece, was occupied. Roughly 50 people—a healthy mix of retirees and working alumni from around town in various shades of green and gold—impressed the athletic department staffers with their cheering and clapping at full throttle every few minutes. The Bison logo was inescapable, from the giant screens urging donations to the school’s new fund supporting revenue sharing to the official craft beer on tap, part of the $9 burger, fries and beer combo seemingly everyone ordered.
