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As long as the protest doesn't hurt UND or UND athletics or insult Native American opponents. I would hope the Spirit Lake group and other Native American supporters would sue the NCAA for discrimination. They have been singled out and refused the same right as the Irish, Norwegians and others to be associated with Universities and Colleges. A local retired businessman, who had been very successful in the radio business, mentioned after Rotary last week that the free publicity the Sioux tribes get from the name is worth about $1,000,000 per year and he couldn't understand why they would want to lose that. It requires the Tribal leaders and name opponents to start thinking outside the box. They need to think of themselves not as Natives first but as men or women identified by who they are (i.e. doctors, lawyers, welders carpenters) and what they do and proud of their Native Heritage but not defined by it. They need to look at how they can make this work for them and what the positives are that might improve opportunites for their people, especially their kids.

Not sure which of the many blogs we have on this same issue to wiegh in on. Keeping in mind UND did ask permission and was granted permission by elders at the Standing Rock Reservation, and reaffirmed in 1969 when elders bestowed a Native American headress and honor to President Starcher. There have been protests since the 1960's. There have been plenty of opportunites to enhance the relationships with Native tribes and reservations over the years and there have been attempts thwarted by some of the tribal officials. UND could have done more over the years and the tribal member supporters could have done more. Our elected officials probably could have done more. There have been opponents over the years and much of their rhetoric is inaccurate or exagerated. They have collected anything negative related to the logo and then presented that to many groups as if it is ongoing. Examples are the T-shirts or some of the insults and songs especially from our friends to the south. Many of the opposition leaders have not done any research before speaking out. A recent example is the rhetoric scribed by Winona LeDuke in last Sundays Forum. She refers to UND's mascot. She also pokes fun at the name supporters and lectures for the supporters to "get over it". She refers to the broken treaties and even the landing of Christopher Cloumbus in 1492. (She somehow misses the irony of lecturing to people about getting over an issue only weeks old vs. issues from 500 yrs ago that can't be changed). I would love to debate the issue with her because she thinks she is very smart because she went to Harvard. ( I would love to see her SAT or ACT scores). I and a few others in my HS graduating class were recruited to attend Harvard by Judge Pat Conmy. I chose UND and I have never regretted that decision. The issue hasn't been "rushed". I realize the SBoHE has moved up the decision based on the lack of movement by the Tribal Officials at Standing Rock and I understand the criticism as well as the decision although i wish they would have waited. It doesn't mean they are "d-bags", they are not stupid and in fact a number of them are UND supporters. Richie Smith, the Board Chair, attended Creighton and played BB there. His wife is a UND alumnus. President Kelly is a sharp guy and is a friend to UND and will do a good job. Neither his job nor Faison's are in jeopardy over this issue. To state otherwise shows ignorance and name supporters lose credibility when they make insulting statements to or about our leadership. Doing so decreases the chance we will accomplish the goal of keeping the name. Threatening to withold donations to UND for athletics or academics is immature and also shows a lack of vision. It will hurt all athletic programs, including hockey, the academic programs and the University as a whole. Why would you punish your teams based on something they did not initiate? No matter what one thinks they know from the safety of their home or bar stool, blaming UND officials or the state board does no one any good. If that is what one must do to feel better, God help you get through life. When our University and our atheltic teams need us to do what we can do to help our teams be successful you are saying you will let those kids and the teams down. We can't count on you. I am glad I never had to go t war with some of you folks. UND officials, over the years, have tried a number of things to try and make this work The SBoHE has also done a number of things. If you need to blame someone blame the NCAA. That is where the blame lies. Ranting on a blog does not help. If you are going to call someone, or write to someone do so with class and intelligence. If you can't do that get a UND grad to help you or don't say anything. Trying to turn this into a hockey vs. other UND athletics is also stupid. Are you aware that as long as UND remained D2 in other sports we lost our share of the Frozen Four hockey revenue? We received only expenses which never covered UND's travel and lodging expenses. According to UND Alumni and athletic officials that was costing us around $400,000 per year when we were in the Frozen Four. I have to confess I am not sure how it affects what we might get if we make the playoffs but no the Frozen Four. I would say there is still a slim chance the name could be saved but it is up to our Native American friends. Insulting others only makes it tougher to achieve success so please grow up. If you think withholding financial support because of this issue then you were never a loyal fan in the first place or you need a CAT scan to see if there is anything within your skull other than cheese. I was an athlete at UND in 2 sports, coached one and was a team physician covering all sports at times including hockey. Never in the 40 years that I have been around UND atheltics did teams prepare by discussing the logo. We prepared by practicing, getting in the weight room, studing film etc. We did need the support of our fans and that made a difference back then and according to our athletes and coaches still makes a difference today. The greatest assets of our University's athletic and academic traditions is the quality of education, the college experience, and the great winning traditions of our UND teams. The Fighting Sioux name and logo are also a part of that tradition but not the most important part. Our coaches and our atheltes need us now as much as ever. We need to continue to do our part as fans. If we are to continue the legacy of being "the greatest collge hockey fans ", we need to be committed to or team and the University. The Wisconsin, Minnesota, Boston College, would not be threatening to abandon their teams or hurt their Universities if PETA got the NCAA to ban animal or bird names for their teams. What is the matter with our fans? The worlds "best college hockey fans" or for that matter "best college athletic team" fans will not let their teams down over this issue. If we withhold one penny of support for UND for athletics, academics or any other worthy cause related to UND over this issue it is a mistake. It is not going to change who our University President is nor should it. Let those who can affect change do their jobs. Write letters to the Tribes, the politicians, the SBoHE, or UND officials, if you wish, but don't be a jerk and don't undermine what those who are trying to do to save this and do not fail our teams and athletes when they need us most.

Pretty entertaining stuff on this post. Do you really think the coaching staff could learn anything from any of these blogs??? These are coaches who have played in the WCHA, for national titiles, played pro hockey and have been on coaching staffs of state and national championship teams. They watch film and they scout. Hakstol was recommended by Dean Blais. Why would he do that? He did that because he knew the guy can coach. The coaches job is to recruit kids who can play and then put them in a position to win and he has done that every year he has been here. Somehow he got them ready to sweep through the WCHA playoffs. Do you think he quit coaching or was going to do something different when they played Yale? UND controlled the game most of the first period and dominated the third. Gregoire's stupid penalty was one of the biggest factors in the game. A goal then would have been huge. Do you think there is a coach at any college who doesn't remind the players not to take dumb penalties? We think the WCHA is such a tough league. If Hakstol can guide the team to a league title and playoff title the past two years and a FF appearance in each of the previous 4 years he must know something about coaching. You can't win a Championship unless you get to the playoffs and the Sioux have been there year after year. The Sioux should have beaten Wisconsin in 1983 when we had more talent and Zombo coughed up the puck in our own end and they tied it up with seconds left. Some of Blais's teams didn't accomplish what they were capable of. The last Sioux team that should have won it all was the year the FF was in Boston. Hak wasn't the coach that year either. The guy can coach. He will get us there. The players need to play and stuff happens. Anyone who thinks UND should dump Hakstol needs to get off the bar stool once in awhile. Those fans who continue to badmouth him don't do the program any good and don't help recruiting when recruits will be told they are hearing he may be in trouble. His job is secure and nothing on this board will change that. If you don't believe that talk to Presidient Kelly and the AD. I would love to sit down and listen to anyone have an intelligent discussion on why he should go. It would require them to be sober and I would like to know what (other than playing third line for their Pee Wee or HS team) would qualify them to know anything about coaching. One of my friends who is a Gopher fan emailed me after the WCHA playoffs and said he would be watching the Sioux and the Beavers. He said he thought Hakstol is a hell of a coach to get the Sioux to the playoffs year after year with a chance to win and he thought he was a class act. He seems to know more about our coach than some of our so called fans.

Booked room at Embassy Suites. Within walking distance and includes breakfast for $161 per night.. Still had rooms last night.

I was at the game and Frattin left his feet to make the hit. The photos included in Siouxcia's post confirm that. Clearly charging and clearly he was going after the other guy.(he confirmed that himself). If the league is going to prevent the crap that everyone complains about (like the Marvin hits) then you can't complain about this. It is pretty entertaining to read how some theorize what the other kid could have done differently or how the physicis workds out. . Look at the photos. I took college physics from Dr. Olen Kraus and he would have said the only other thing the Gopher kid could have done was quickly crap his pants. Frattin was not going after the puck. What is wrong is that Marvin, who clearly was trying to hurt an opponent, wasn't suspended for at least a month or longer if not the year. That would send a message and would be the quickest way to protect the players. Anyone who thinks those hits are part of the college game needs to get off the bar stool and get out more. Explain to Genoway (who Lucia said was the leagues best player) who lost his senior year. Do you want to be able to see those quality players or do you want to pump your fist when one of the opponents gets knocked out of a game? In comparison, the Frattin hit isn't as bad and I don't think he meant to hurt the Gopher, but there is no excuse for a cheap hit against an opponent. If you are going to do that don't hit the little guys. Go after one of their goons. UND cannot afford any of these stupid penalties if they are going tomake a run at a title. The problem with the league and McLeod is the lack of consistency. Mcleod doesn't need to explain his reasononing to the fans. He needs to explain to the team and the coaches. I am pretty sure the players and coaches know this is not a legal hit. Frattin has been a difference maker and it will hurt not to have him.

Fireside was bought by Tom Hanson the guy who owns Zorbaz. Might be working contract for deed with one of his employees, to buy it from him, but it is doing fine and the food is great., It is open year round and the prices are lower than when Norman was running it. Ate at Dolittles in Fargo last night on the way to the hockey game and had great food at very reasonable price. They were packed. With TV's available in half the restaurant that might be good format for Suite 49.

Can't remember who coined the phrase but it has nothing to do with booze. I have never heard he had an alcohol problem. I don't think Joe had any alcohol problems especially when it came time to pay as his $260,000 expense account was ample enough to cover most booze expenses. If I wanted to be disparaging I might comment on the size of his ears compared to the size of his ego or the brown polyester suit he often wore that reminded me of a turd. I won't do that because I don't wish to be childish. Especially, I don't want to lose credibility from someone who defended this clown. He was a disgrace to NDSU, the state and the Fargo community. (Actually, I do want to be childish but at my age it isn't becoming and my wife will make fun of me).

Most on the Board were well aware of the lack of integrity of Chapman before the Potts issues became public. John Q Paulsen was his huckleberry and we should not forget Gov. Hoeven sent word to the board that they needed to retain Chapman. As he seeks higher office he needs to be held accountable for his involvement in this issue. Paulsen misused his power as Board Chair time and again to enable Chapman and to undermine Potts then Dunn. It is no coincidence that Paulsen was also on the NDSU foundation board which gave Chapman $260,000 for expenses. Hanson is in a very difficult position. He has to deal with the financial mess Chapman left the school in and he also has to deal with the alumni and NDSU supporters who refuse to believe this is anything other than the media trying to discredit their hero on trumped up charges because NDSU had a good MBB team last year and the rest of the world is jealous and wants to punish NDSU and whiskey Joe. Hard to believe there are intelligent people who refused to believe the evidence presented by Potts, then Dunn about Chapman's arrogance and abuse of power. I would hope the state calls for a full audit of NDSU's finances under Chapman. He should be made to return a good portion of his inflated salary. The Bison backers give him too much credit and their school and community too little credit for the transition and success of NDSU. The guy was a self serving arrogant con man who abused his power and had a number of accomplices along the way including Paulsen, Hoeven, and some of the Fargo politicians and community leaders. If I were running against Hoeven, this would be front and center as an example of Hoeven's lack of judgement. Too bad because the state has done well economically under Hoeven, but this should not be overlooked. Hoeven should be calling for an audit.

Wasn't that the cheerleaders dorm? This is the Whiskey Joe curse, just like the curse of the Bambino. Before he quit, Chappy flew down to New Orleans (they took away his first class travel so he flapped his ears like crazy and flew himself down there) and hired one of those black magic Cajuns to put a curse on NDSU. This is only the beginning. Everything good that happened there in the last 10-15 years, or however long he was there, was because he made it happen. Just ask him. They won't be able to survive without him, especially with this curse! They will need to bury a David Ortiz jersey in the backyard (if they ever get someone to finish the landscaping) to lift the curse. Mark my words.

Flying down next week for my 4th visit to the stadium. (relative plays). Can park at Rangers stadium across the street for $60. I have had parking pass so I am not sure what the stadium lots are, but you can park at the shopping mall just north of the stadium by spending $45 at the mall and putting your receipt in the car window. Homes near the stadium and private lots charge $25-$80. Even with good seats you find yourself watching the game on the big screen. Seats are nice but not as nice as the Ralph. Cupholders are a bit flimsy. I have sat in different sections and had good views. Stadium tour is $17 but if you join the "True Blue" fan club before the tour you get a 2 for 1 price on tours and a 10% discount on anything you by at any of their pro shops. You tour multiple levels, club seating and suites. You go on the field and in the Cowboys locker room and the cheerleaders locker room. (it smelled a lot better for some reason). If you don't mind the price, go to Bobs Steak and Chophouse or Del Friscos for a great meal. Take the Texas Book Depository Tour if you stay in Dallas.

Stadium

Was at the ASU game. Sioux women played hard and played tough defense. Missed our scorer when she was in foul trouble. ASU had a couple of 6'5" kids and a 6'3" kid off the bench. Bergan played virtually the entire game and three times the ASU defender fell over trying to keep up with her when she put a move on while bringing the ball up the court. In the second half Ledger had three plays that showed she can play. Not sure where that has been so far. The Lof kid played all but a minute in the first half and played great defense with 5 steals and rebounded well. She didn't hit her shots but has improved a lot since last year and shows she belonged on the court. Too slow to get our shots off when open against these teams. Depth isn't there and we need to get stronger. I am not sure who will bring the ball up once Bergan is gone. Bucky still needs to clean up his mouth a bit. That will get him canned before anything else. He has proven he can coach. Kids will be less and less likely to take that crap from him and it gets in the way of his ability to coach. Hope someone close to him wises him up before some player's Dad husband or uncle has a closed door session with him. Rothsfuz looks like an athlete. Will be interesting to see how she develops once she gets stronger.

Happy Veterans Day. Thanks for your continued service. Are you still in Iraq? Are things getting any better?

Should have done "Mankato rejects" when the Gophers were here.

Their interim President was a heck of a FB player and I doubt he would be afraid to schedule us in FB or other sport for that matter. My guess is that he will gauge carefully their chances of winning the game and schedule it when he thinks they will likely win. I would not have wanted to play them 2 years ago.

You may wish to correct that to " there may not be a criminal investigation and thus far, we have no evidence that laws were broken". Criminal charges have been discussed at the highest levels and if all funds at the school are audited, there is talk that that both student funds and other funds may have been misappropriated. Do you really think this guy is above that?? The SBoHE wants this to go away as quickly and quietly as they can get him to. I personally heard one of his most staunch supporters on the board state "he will not be getting his job back" when she was asked about the student support to get him to stay. People who think the media or SBoHE is railroading this clown are fools. He is an arrogant, condescending, self serving jerk who has taken your foundation for hundreds of thousands of dollars for expenses that are at best questionable. He is not dumb and he has done a lot of good for NDSU. As long as you feel the end justifies the means and have no regard for ethics, Joe is your guy.

Until we start putting people in the seats for our games, we probably shouldn't comment on the AC. They had over 15,000 for a nothing game Sat and we will be lucky to get 8-9000 for a very good Cal Poly team this Sat. Taylor's job is secure and does not depend on the rivalry. We need to get a lot better before we worry too much about the rivalry. I wouldn't want the team that laid an egg against Sioux Falls to represent UND against the AC. I am not sure they would want to send their team against UND either. It has been embarrassing enough for both schools the way it is. If fans don't want to watch UND play Sioux Falls, why would you want to watch them play the AC? Sioux Falls is probably the better team.

The students at the last two series were a lot of fun. We need to get the rest of the arena to get involved in the cheers. The non-students get involved at Wisconsin and Minnesota. Some old guy at the Kohl leads some of the cheers. Our band has also been a big past of the atmosphere and does a great job. We need to dump the F bomb jeers. It shows ignorance and lack of class. You will impress recruits with the support, the noise, the atmosphere. You will not help get one single recruit with the F bomb cheers but you may lose one once in a while. If anyone thinks the vulgar cheers have in anyway improved our play you have never strapped it on. Players sense the energy and can hear how noisy it is, but they should have better things to do than sort out the cheers and jeers. There are a lot of college venues in hockey, and BB that the students do a great job and use intelligence and humor without the F bomb. Those students are entertaining enough sometimes to warrant the price of admission. I would hope as THE University of North Dakota we can do better than the F bomb. The students make playing at UND one of the best places to play college sports in the country.

The "Bisons" don't want to play us now. We have beaten them 10 of the last 13 games and they missed an oportunity the last couple of years when they would have had an advantage. They were the league doormat until the mid 1960's when they won their first national titles and were a national power in the 1980's. Since the early 1990's UND has had the advantage. Both schools should have moved up in the 1970's to D1AA with the Montana schools and Northern Iowa etc. UND made another mistake when they didn't move when the Bisons did and couldn't play them in FB during the early Bisons transition years because it would have hurt them in the D2 rankings. The Bisons didn't forgive nor forget so they won't play us until either the state political pressure is such that they resume play or if both schools end up in the same conference. They will not likely help UND be accepted into their conference. As schools, UND had the upper hand until the growth of Fargo /West Fargo became such that the kids who stay local put them over the top as far as enrollment. For the first time they have a size advantage. UND lost ground with the flood of 1997 but with the size of Fargo /West Fargo it was a matter of time. Good post from Texas Tech (the alma mater of Donnie Anderson who played RB and occasionally LB before being drafted by the Packers in the late 1960's).

I am not that good of a golfer, but if I recall, the proper way to hit a guy with a sand wedge is to avoid grounding the club, cut down just a bit on your back swing, aim just behind the guys head then make sure you follow through. I golfed in the Siouxper swing with a guy who used a mulligan to through his club twice on the same bad shot. First throw was his two hand over the head tomahawk throw that only went about 15 yards. I reminded him he still had a mulligan so he fired a 5 wood about 26 yds.

I must have missed it, is Jordan Murray coming back?

Windy, If this is what it takes for it to be a good day to be native that is sad. Your leaders have dishonored your elders and ancestors who told UND and restated to UND in the past that the name was OK. That is not consistent with your Native Culture according to every single elder I have spoken with. I agree with you, and have stated some time ago, that it is past time for the name to change. I no longer wish for my University athletic teams to attempt to honor a group whose leaders have no honor. They do not show leadership on the reservations. The plight of the native children is pathetic. The tribal chair at Spirit lake is correct when she says they have more important things to worry about. The problem is, she needs to quit worrying and do something about those things. The guy at Standing Rock, His Horse is Smarter, is a blatant racist and shouldn't lead anyone. It makes no difference that the majority support the name, the tribal councils won't vote to support the name. (I am not sure you realize that those folks wouldn't ever be in leadership positions off of the rez). What should remain are programs to help native kids get a decent education and achieve the skills to get off the reservations and succeed in the real world. That should be for the kids on the rez as well as at UND. I will not enter any reservation unless necessary to pass thourgh and I will not support any reservation business. I will not vote for any political candidate who supports any reservation program not required by treaty or law nor will I donate money to their campaigns. I will support Native businesses off of the reservation and continue to work to help Native kids who wish to get an education and make a better life for themselves. You and your leaders have spoken and made it very clear we are not welcome and we will continue to be judged by you and your friend by our ethnicity. Your leaders have shown they will not honor those who have come before them and therefore can't be trusted. In the language of the people who kicked the Sioux the hell out of Minnesota, Migwetch. (it was the Chippewa not the Europeans).

I was told that this meeting will likely take steps to retire the Fighting Sioux name and if I "wanted Sioux gear or clothing to buy it now". Reason is that UND needs a D1AA conference and the Summit needs a traveling partner for USD. None of the referendums on the reservations are binding and therefore the tribal councils may do as they please. Obviously the vote at Spirit Lake didn't change the position of the tribal council there and the guy at Standing Rock, "his Horse is Smarter" isn't going to help. Doesn't matter if you support the name or not, it is time to move on. There is no reason to waste time and money over an issue we can't control.