tnt

Was wondering if they thought that was a problem because their radio commercials said "We hear you Grand Forks, some times a big burrito is too much", or something to that effect, trying to get people in with the smaller burrito. Can't eat that food often and maintain weight, unless you are in high school or college, which you think would have been their main business.

You know, now that I think about it, UND got this process all wrong. They should have had the same group they are going to let vote narrow the choices down to 3 or 4, then had the committee pick the name. At least then, you wouldn't have the possibility of getting a name that just about everybody hates.

I'll tell you this, if you thought petitions and protesting was crazy for the Fighting Sioux nickname, just wait to see what happens if they somehow narrow it down so Sundogs gets picked. I don't think most people would stand for that.

Just talked to a supplier I deal with from Minneapolis and read the list of names to him. He couldn't believe how poor of choices there are, except for Roughriders. He thought it was odd that North Stars would be on the list, and thought the two Hawks names sounded like community college names. He said for being one of the two big Universities in the state, they sure didn't come up with very acceptable names.

Channel Susan Powter, and "Stop the Insanity"!

Yeah, then we could lay further claim to the state. We are already the flagship University, then we would have the state nickname like those others you listed as well. After all, nobody refers to North Dakota as the Bison state.

Hey, if we were going to be the "Force of the North", we just could have been the "Stars of the North". Sure it's semantics, but it wouldn't actually be North Stars. O.K. then, Roughriders it is!

Just curious, during this meeting, did the consultants bring up any concerns about the Urban Dictionary and Sundogs? When the consultants are done here, are they going to talk to the State of North Dakota about changing the Roughrider Award and state motto? Phil Jackson is pretty PC, and he was the one who originally suggested Roughriders when we still had the Sioux nickname. Get the consultants out of the process - NOW!

The fact that many have accepted Roughriders as a viable choice even though they weren't enthralled with it in the first place, might indicate that it would be less divisive than choosing any of the other names on the list. If they want to pick a name that would require less time to gain acceptance and prevent discord, then perhaps this could be that choice.

Now I think I know how all of those other schools came up with lame bird and color names. The consultants talked them into a generic name that couldn't possibly offend anyone. Sounds like they should just have asked the consultants to pick out a name, because they obviously are such elite minds. Unbelievable that we are paying these guys and that Sundogs is still on the list.

I'm thinking that we will at least have one or two names that can be voted on. Hopefully the next narrowing of the field doesn't do a complete 180.

So if the Hawks hold on, who is the Conn Smythe winner. Keith? Crawford? My bet is Keith.

Was recruited for football team and was injured. Ended up trying out for hockey and was kind of plugged into defense as depth so only played one game. Not sure if he quit football and was fully healed somewhere down the line and decided to give hockey a try, because I think originally it was a neck injury that wouldn't allow for the specific contact required in football. Others might know more of the exact situation. Was more of an intimidator for the Penguins and did his job well. Believe he is a personal trainer in Pittsburgh now.

Who knows, but they do recognize Geoff Smith who played for UND a little over a year then left for Kamloops of the WHL.

... and it would lend itself to so many jersey combos. You could have Teddy charging on the front, and the horses as arm patches, or vice versa. More jersey combos, the more people will find one they like and buy it.

Was thinking the same thing. Go with whatever wins, and if there is a problem, then it reverts to the next in line.

You do realize you were in the minority on thinking Flickertails was a suitable name, while many thought that was garbage.

Since the consultant seems to know what is right, I am sure we will see some variation of "Hawks" in the final vote because as someone said there isn't any possibility of controversy, except for Thunderhawks. How lame would it be to be spoon fed another generic name, as the other schools in the same situation did with all the bird and color names. Despite the criteria set forth, I am guessing they will ignore it and put this generic option before us for a final vote.

Hate to tell you that there have already been petitions about it just staying North Dakota and how it would leave people with Sioux as the default name. I have no appetite for going back and forth for the next 10 years with people bickering about that again. Pick a name and move on, or we will be right back here again shortly anyway. And if you are in the crowd that says screw them, well, they said the same thing about people that were against the Sioux nickname. The NCAA will react to that minority eventually, whether you think the previous settlement allowed us to remain just North Dakota or not.

I think more Red River grads like it than not. It is the Central grads I would think that would be predisposed to disliking it, and I guess I can understand that. It is a shame that there aren't the options we were all hoping to have.

Which means it won't be one of the finalists when it comes down to a vote, if this list is any indication of their ability to choose wisely.

... and I have been a proponent of Roughriders from the start, but the fact that they can't provide a viable alternative to that name for someone who has issues with it, is to me unbelievable.

No, they are saving that logo if they choose "Pride".

I'm assuming Trailblazers is trademarked, otherwise that would be better than Explorers for the reason you gave.

Isn't that what got us here in the first place -- some people interpreting the Sioux nickname as hostile and abusive rather than the intended source of pride!