dmksioux

And what's their logo/mascot again? Do we really want to go down that path with the NCAA again? Unless you have another idea for a logo mascot for a "Dakotan" or "Nodak?" Edit: Also an article about choosing a mascot vs. no mascot... http://www.dailyillini.com/article/2014/04/a-new-mascot-is-better-than-no-mascot

And don't forget about Red River. Looks like we have an answer for that as well.

To me, "NoDaks" comes off as lazy. Like we weren't able to come up with anything else so we shortened our state name. If we go with Nodaks, what will our logo be? A farmer? A Scandinavian looking person? A Native American? Anyone think the South Dakota sodaks is a good name? Or the Montana Tanas or Montes or montanans? Or Minnesota Minnie's? I think you get the drift...

They did...Roughriders.

And as others have previously written, others will start giving us nicknames. I've seen sports articles referencing us as the "Nodaks," "Big Green," etc. if we don't pick a name, it very well may be picked for us by others. Others who don't really care too much about our University. Are you willing to take that chance?

If it's a variation of Hawk, I hope it becomes Thunder Hawks if for nothing else, to see all the "alternative" Thunder Hawk gear that will surface...ie using Sitting Bull's friend as the logo...

Visited with someone who is pretty close to a committee member. During our visit, I was told the reason for three variations of Hawks is due to "consultant recommendations." According to whatever studies they've done on these situations before, birds/Hawks tend to be a preference or nice "neutral" solution.

North Stars isn't a horrible name, however, from a national perspective, more people are going to think we "borrowed" the name from the now defunct Minnesota North Stars than are going to think we ripped off a local high school. Anyone outside of ND and a few places in Minnesota have no idea Red River High School exists, let alone they are called the Roughriders.

Try googling North Star state and Roughrider state and see what happens... https://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=74&id=Nicknames http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/mn_intro.htm

Marketing our University as the North Stars (Minnesota's motto) is easier than marketing UND as the Roughriders with ND being the Roughrider State, having the Roughrider award, etc??? Are you sure you work in marketing?

I think we need to start flooding some of the committee members with emails concerning the final 15. Karl was quoted as saying some random lady he bumped into in Colorado liked the idea of Spirit and now he's warming up to that idea. If he received "a few" emails explaining why we shouldn't choose Spirit, maybe he will cool to the idea.

State of Minnesota is known as the "North Star State." LaSalle University uses Explorers so it's not unique to Universities/Colleges. In your infinite wisdom, please explain why neither Roughriders and Cavalry reasonable.

If we choose Thunderhawks, can we use this image as inspiration? Thunder Hawk was a member of the Hunkpapa Indians and a companion of Sitting Bull.

We can always look to the LaSalle University Explorers for some inspiration...

Another reason to strike Thunderhawks: http://www.american-tribes.com/Lakota/BIO/ThunderHawk.htm Also, the school to the south has a secondary name of Thundering Herd. We don't need a name with thunder in it.

Can someone tell me what a thunder hawk is? Is it similar to a thunder bird? If so, there's all kinds of tie in to Native Americans. If Nokota got the axe because of potential NA ties, then shouldn't thunder Hawks be axed also?

I think I could live with: 1. Roughriders 2. Cavalry 3. North Dakota 4. Explorers No thanks: Everything else.

I didn't know you were the church going type. This is why I put Roughriders ahead of Cavalry/Cavs.

I don't know if you have inside info or not, but it appears at least one committee member agrees with you. I sure hope it isn't spirit, pride or some variation of hawk. http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/3762985-und-committee-cuts-nickname-idea-list-more-half

Here's your final 15 names. I sure hope it isn't Spirit. :-( http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/3762985-und-committee-cuts-nickname-idea-list-more-half

Any word on Baker's visit? Pretty quiet considering that it sounded like it was a done deal.

My condolences. One of his relatives works for the same company as me.

As Johnny said, money. In DII, UND had one of the biggest budgets and were competing against smaller schools (budget wise). If we want to compete, we need to start spending the same amount of money as some the "bigger schools" are at this level. I know UND's budget is one of the bigger ones at the FCS level, but take out M/W hockey and where do we stand?

Wasn't picking on you specifically. I've seen and spoke with others who also like North Stars. I like the idea of using a state nickname for the nickname of the flagship school of the state, thus the reason my top choice is Roughriders. ND is also known as the flickertail state and the Sioux state, maybe the third time is the charm...

Some insight as to how we got to the final 64... http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/3751675-committee-members-explain-some-und-nickname-choices