NCAA Not A Fan Of New North Dakota State Law

The University of North Dakota was among a group of 18 schools singled out for using allegedly disparaging nicknames, logos and mascots when the NCAA first announced in 2005 that they were encouraging member schools to ditch them.

But last month, the governor of North Dakota signed a bill that was written to order the school to use their logos in defiance of the NCAA- unless both the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes both agree it's cool...

Standing Rock has always been against the nickname and show no sign of changing their mind on the matter...

If UND keeps the Sioux, the school will be barred from hosting NCAA postseason sporting events, and its teams will not be able to wear the nickname and logo on its uniforms in postseason contests. Other Big 10/11/12 schools that are nearby have already said that they won't even play UND if the Sioux stays around...

The HQ is still a fan of one of the coolest sweaters around...
((HT: SaveOurSuhaki))

North Dakota Blows Up Fighting Sioux Nickname

((HT: KFYR-TV Fargo))

A North Dakota state Supreme Court ruling and a subsequent Board of Higher Education decision have retired the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname after four years in the court system.

The court ruled that the board had the authority to dump the nickname at any time. The court rejected an appeal that sought to delay action.

So, they blew up the nickname once and for all...

The NCAA considers the "Sioux" nickname "hostile and offensive" and said UND cannot host postseason events without approval from the state's two Sioux tribes. Under the settlement, the board and UND agreed to begin retiring the nickname if they couldn't obtain permission from the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux tribes by November 30.

Neil Carlson has the details from the meeting...


Not everyone is going with the idea full-bore...

KVLY-TV interviewed the GM of the privately-owned Ralph Engelstad Arena on the UND campus. He says he is saddened by the retirement of the school's Fighting Sioux nickname.

Jody Hodgson says he will consult with the board of directors, but if he has his way, the arena with an estimated 3,000 Sioux logos will not change.

The arena was paid for by the late Ralph Engelstad, a UND alumnus and benefactor and a staunch supporter of the nickname.

It is not known whether the NCAA would grant the arena postseason tournaments if the logos stay. Hodgson says he "could care less."

The HQ thinks this is far from over...