NDinCO

I propose a new nickname, the 'University of North Dakota Dog & Ponies'. This is insulting. The first big ELEPHANT in the room that this process is a joke was the inclusion of SunDogs in the final 5 - which had a snowball chance of winning, just pacifies a certain interest group. Next ELEPHANT not including what the MAJORITY wants, i.e just 'North Dakota'. But I went along hoping there was some integrity in the process - I was wrong. The committee/process/'leadership' (big italics) is putting on a big charade - they DO NOT CARE what the majority wants - only what they perceive as 'best' OK - FINE! Then they should have have just formed a select committee and announced their decision and SPARE us this discourteous farce.

This is getting (more) ridiculous. Nothing against NoDaks per se, but you just can't change the rules midstream after announcing the process. You JUST CANT DO IT. You have just lost the VERY small amount of credibility your had left. You should eliminate the bottom 3 like you said (I don't pretend to know how that would impact the final vote). I have never been a conspiracy theorist (JFK, 9/11, Area 54, etc), but this stinks. Starting with the trumped up final 5, now this. Why is Kelley even allowed near this process - HE'S ON HIS WAY OUT!! He shouldn't be allowed near as he this impacts his 'legacy' and therefore will only do what he thinks is best for him or the PC crowd, I know truly believe that - never have before. Why not just announce what the 'higher ups' want and end this DOG-AND-PONY show. So if Hawks wins, so be it. Get ready for some HAWKY! But congratulations UND on settling on becoming a GENERIC MILK CARTON (that should be your logo). Full disclosure, I voted for RR - at least some imagination and flair, any of the other 4 have that. But if want to become a lion or tiger or bear...

Talking to children? Not sure what thats suppose to mean, settle down Francis. Just expressing that any of the other names, including the dreaded Sundogs, give more of an opportunity to shape an image other than ND as a hick farm state. I'm proud to be from ND, but sorry that's what most people think when they think of ND.

That's the reality. That's what most people think, especially outside of ND - That ND is a hick state with nothing but farmers. If you want to facilitate that stereotype by choosing NoDak as the face of your states flagship institution then by all means, vote for it.

The Forum has it right. Remember this will be the face of UND, presented to the rest of the nation and the world. UND is much more than just a bunch of people born in ND, who have a hard time letting go and moving forward. I love the Sioux name but... And there's a reason Notre Dame is not the University of Notre Dame Fighting NoDames

NoDaks is lame. Sounds hick. People mainly like it 'cuz it can't be just plain ol' 'North Dakota'. Whats the logo? That farmer from 'American Gothic'? An Ice Fisherman? 'North Dakota NoDaks', Really? Why not the 'University of North Dakota Northern Nodaks of the North' If it was the 'University of South Dakota SoDaks' we would all agree that looks and sounds pretty lame.

Some more opinion - in descending order of preference... Sundogs: Nothing more to add. We all know it sucks. It's offensive that it even made the final list and demonstrates why this whole process is a joke, catering to special interest groups and not to majority wishes. NoDaks: Sucks. Sounds hick. Whats the logo? That farmer from 'American Gothic'? It's not a good consolation for not being able to just be 'North Dakota'. Give it up. 'North Dakota NoDaks' sounds lame. And UND is not a bunch of 'NoDaks' - it's student and faculty (and athletes) are from all over the US and the world. Fighting Hawks: Bland. Boring. Zero imagination. Why not Lions or Tigers or Bears? Oh my. North Stars: Not bad, some imagination, but it is related to MN and 'North Dakota North Stars' doesn't really flow. RoughRiders: My choice, and pretty good. Fits the rough & tumble western image of ND. Unique and imaginative. I am an alum of RR high school and could care less. UND is a state wide and nation wide institiution. No one outside of GF cares. Don't care its a condom name - didn't even know till now. Like many people have said, USC survives just fine. Actually I kind of like the sexual conotation (take that PC folks). Yes, the San Juan RoughRiders never were in ND, but Teddy was. And Yes, Teddy wasn't here all that long, but ND made an indelible mark on his life... "I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota." "It was here that the romance of my life began." ... and that's plenty good enough for me. Finally I say we PAY for use of this logo. It's would look awesome (just the horse head) on those jerseys...

The USHL Cedar Rapids team (and the affiliate youth league where Doug Smail is a coach) are called the Roughriders. They have a pretty nice logo IMHO, even has UND colors, so I think I will vote for the 'Riders and suggest we steal their logo (and their best players).