I agree with this wholeheartedly, so maybe the committee should have put up Hawks as a sacrificial name that could be changed after a few years when the faithful saw how bad a nickname could be. Of course you would always have those that would never let go, but you would get some to accept a better, unique name with something synonymous with the state of North Dakota.
If you could come up with a multi cultural logo for Nodak, that would demonstrate the state’s Scandinavian, Native American and other ethnical backgrounds, it would encompass all the groups that make up the population. It could show a pride in the region rather than a negative perception of a state considered flyover country.
“Let’s play Nodak hockey” would mean something because it would be tied to the hardworking groups tied to the state that work together to make the state unique.