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That's too bad that you feel that way. I disagree, I think there is plenty we could do to mend the relationship. Dropping the name may be the only way, but why not sheck out other possibilities. To ignore other options would be silly for both sides.

No real connection to the American Indian? What about the programs that they currently have on campus? You think the nickname of the athletic teams is the only real connection? I see the nickname as the only thing holding back more of a connection. That's why I think we should try get the athletic department and the nickname more involved with programs for Native Americans.

No, instead the University of Nebraska just sells out to NBC and Tommy Lee to have him on campus. Makes that school look like a joke! But back to the point, how would having camps and programs be "here's the money, now shut up"? Sure, you think UND does enough, why not do a little more? Why not help some people who could use it, if they want it? I just don't see your point of not offering this as an alternative.

I just think if you hurry up and change it just because the NCAA made this statement it would not be a good thing. Looking at this year what playoffs would we even miss out on the possibility of hosting? Opening rounds for the national basketball tourney, what else? The NCC tourney could still be here right? The NCC baseball tourney could still be here. That would be a full year of researching and scouting opportunities before we had to make a decision, and UND would lose out on POSSIBLY hosting a few events? How much money would those bring in anyway? Next year would be a different story when you start talking football.

Get a room you two. Lions suck!

It's not too late. This can be challenged and the ruling is not clear yet from the NCAA. They have even stated that they will need to look into it more. Going back to UND does enough. Obviously not. Obviously the Sioux people are not happy with what UND currently does. Why not offer them more and see if that would be better? It is not too late. Look at NC Pembroke, the NCAA is allowing them to keep their name. Why not build our relationship and keep ours? So you are in favor of just dumping the name because it may save money? I bet you would like us to become the University of North Dakota "Microsofts" too. Or maybe the UND "Pimp my rides" You can't just look at the monetary side of something like this. Sure it is a big part of it, but you can't base your decision solely on it. Besides, you don't think UND has an extra couple of thousand dollars to put on a camp here and there? I'm sure if the they needed to raise some funds in order to keep the name the alumni would pull through. This is a chance for UND and the NCAA to do some real good for these people. Let's give them the option. If they don't want it, then by all means change the name.

Why not? You obviously don't have a much care for the Sioux nickname. Well, there are many thousands of people who obviously care about it very much. You keep jumping around my question. Why not benefit both? A little compromise by each with a large benefit to both? You seem to only want a clear "winner" while I believe we don't need one. Doesn't seem very smart to me.

Dan Carlson was named the new boys b-ball coach at Central to no surprise. I thought it was kind of funny that Dan was in on the hiring of Todd, then Todd turned around and hired Dan. No doubt he will do a fine job there, as he is a good coach, a good guy, and knows the kids well there.

In the case of a name change, no nickname would be my first choice also. I just think bringing in a new name, although it would take over in a few years would seem cheesy at the beginning. I was trying to think of a school without a nickname but could not. Question: Would there be a problem with the REA still having the Indian head logos in it and visible, as long as UND was not officially recognizing it as a logo? I would think so, as it is not owned by UND. Same with the Alerus?

I'm still not sure what cheer you would be talking about? You must be talking about the things that others yell?? Not sure why we would do cheers to offend the people who we name our team for? Am I way off here though? And why could we do "so much more" couldn't we do a lot with the name, to build the relationship with the Sioux tribes?

Great ideas! This is exactly what I am proposing. That instead of just dropping the name, why not look at ways to help everyone. Why not make it a stronger relationship between the school and the tribe. It helps UND: keep the name and become far and away the top Native American school in the country and a strong relationship with the tribe and its people. And it helps the Sioux tribes: money, programs, and a strong relationship with the school. And I don't think that your idea is too wacky at all. I mean people already spend 60-70 bucks on a seatshirt, what's 65?

Why because I've foiled each and every one of your stupid quotes? "they'll be playing with cell phones" "kids will never listen" Contrary to what you think there are a lot of people who would embrace the idea of learning more about the Sioux people. If it was mandatory to take a class to get tickets, believe me, the students would take it. You must not have attended UND if you didn't realize that. The students at UND are crazy for their hockey. They would definately take a 2 hour class in order to get tix. If you don't think that we should learn more about the Sioux people or try to help them out then I guess that is your choice. I just don't see the point in having a single winner when both sides could come out on top. UND is one of the top schools in the nation as far as Indian studies and programs go, why not take that to the next level with the athletic department? I think it should at least be a possibility. If you're so smart, tell me why it would not be a great idea to give them this option: UND keeps its name and Coach Lennon and 4 or 5 guys go to the reservation and put on a football camp each summer? Coach Glas and a few players go and put on a basketball camp each year? Sure, it may cost the University a couple thousand dollars, but I think that it would be well worth it. You get these kids, many of whom would not have the chance to attend a regular UND camp, a chance to learn from UND coaches and players. This could really build a tremendous relationship with these kids that could possibly build to something in the future. In the meantime UND fans are happy that they get to keep the name. There would also have to be more programs set up I'm sure, but why not? Don't tell me that it would cost too much. Just give them the option. If they still felt it better that the school drop the name then that's fine, that's what would have to be done. I just hope that dropping the name will help the Sioux people rather then hurt them.

At the beginning of the year, I'm almost positive that the captains from each team are involved in a similar program. Not 100% sure though.

I'll put the over/under at 43 posts. Any takers?

PCM, I do not think that they should give it up. I think that there should be plenty of research done. I think maybe you are confusing Bobyck's posts with mine. Although I do think there may be some circumstances which would cause me to feel they should change it. I just think UND should do more with the name and the relationship with the Sioux people.

Then why make them go to class to get their degrees? If no one is learning anything then why are we making kids go to class? You can't force them to learn, but you can put them in an environment where the knowledge is available. I'm certainly not saying this will be the cure all for anything anti-native american, but it sure would be a nice step in the right direction. As for students not being able to make the class, you could offer it on a few different days. If you want tix, you better make sure you can make it once!

I like Roughriders, but having Red River with the name kind of hurts that one.

When I say they should make all student ticket holders take a class, it was brought up in another thread and was a great idea. A short 1 or 2 hour class with a quick overview of the Sioux culture. Not a 3 credit class. Your argument about cost of the credit doesn't have any truth as you have to be a full time student to get season tix and if you are a full time student you don't pay more for taking more credits. As for taking the class as part of the general requirements it would not take you longer to graduate, as you would be taking this course instead of taking say Geology. They do not receive free schooling. That has always been a myth. I agree that if it will cost UND the chance to host playoffs then the name change will be harder to fight. As for the money situation, I wonder if fans will go out and buy a bunch of Flickertail gear or if they will then stand fast and want to wear their Sioux stuff? I would hope after the decision is made, either way, that UND fans would still support the school and its athletic teams. And finally, it's Kupchella. And I don't think he'll have much to do with it as the Board of Higher Education kind of took that out of his hands.

Thinking about it a little more the NCAA could REALLY do something positive with this. Why not have every school have a charity related to their athletic department. UND would have the Sioux nation, while NDSU would have something like Pheasants Forever, but with buffalo. (not sure if there is a buffalo group or not) If that team wins and NCAA championship (or other criteria i.e. making NCAA postseason play) the NCAA would donate a certain amount of money to that charity. This would really help the teams and groups they are named for pull for each other. There could really be some positive stuff to come out of this.

I'm actually not totally against the name change. I just want the shools to do it, if they choose to, for the right reasons. I hope that just because some people don't like it, some find it offensive, some think it isn't right that they are forced to change the name. If it is determined that by changing the name life will be better, in any way, for the Sioux tribes then I'm all for it. If it is determined that the lives of these people are being hurt, hindered, or made worse in any way, then I'm all for it. But, if this is just for some politically correct people to get their way then it needs to be stopped. I know some will say that "many people" from the tribe feel it is offensive. It should be shown in a vote, or by some other way to prove that most feel this way. A way which is representative of a majority of the entire people. My feeling, which probably means little to nothing, is that it will not help the tribes to stop the use of the name. As I have said earlier I also think there may be more racism, although not right, if the name is forced to change. I would like to see rules put in place saying that in order to keep the name of a group of people, you have to have both X amount of programs that teach about these people and X amount of dollars spent on those programs, or to those people. The NCAA could really show how much they care for these people by giving them some money. Why not start NCAA sanctioned programs on Indian reservations? Build strong relationships with the kids of these tribes so that they can grow up and maybe be one day proud to dawn the jersey of the Sioux team, which honors his/her relatives. I think that UND SHOULD do more to tighten the bond with these people. There was a great idea brought up a while back about student season ticket holders. Why not, in order to get student tickets, make it a requirement to take a class on the history of the Sioux culture. You could even go one step further and make a class be a general requirement for all students. These are just my thoughts. Feel free to pick them apart. I hold the right to add to them or subtract some statements as my feelings change, or I learn more on the issue.