dagies

Thanks, PCM. I'll see if I can tune in here at work.

I would agree with you. Others that have posted here would probably look for the negative in a good situation.

I disagree. Think of a big picture of Sitting Bull or another great Sioux warrior up there like the big picture of Goren. There's a lot of things that could be done. Now, that may or may not be the best idea. No one wants to compare Sioux hockey players to great Sioux warriors of history, so some may take that the wrong way. But in the context of sports, our hockey players should and do try and emulate the values that made these warriors great. I personally think it would be very cool to have this as much a shrine to the plains warrior UND is trying to emulate as it is to Sioux hockey itself. And if done right, this could be as much a positive and respectful tip of the cap to the Warriors of the Great Plains as anything. Certainly this will be seen as "buying off" the tribes, but who cares? If UND could take a step forward in a mutually beneficial way I think it's worth it. There's a trophy area for Sioux hockey, maybe there's room for the exhibits that you suggest as well, Sioux-cia.

I like it.

I too was one of those who was surprised at Kupchella's quick and tenacious defense. It has been interesting to me that his defense seemed to have mostly been on the NCAA process and indictment of UND rather than any support for the name itself. The pieces of the article that you point out, where Kupchella reveals that it was his idea to do this new logo, and also his personal views about the merits of the nickname are enlightening, IMO. I agree IowaBison, if there's one person who has a pretty good handle on the many variables involved, it's PCM, from Ralph's controversial past to the many twists and turns this story has taken in the last several years. One day when this is over, hopefully with UND in the driver's seat there could be a very interesting review.

Well, you and DaveK anyway.

No, but maybe trading tickets for free booze/cover charges, etc. People keep saying this is about underage drinking but I think the serious aspect is how the athletes traded on their athletiness.

When I read this I didn't think this was new information. I was thinking that the new logo was unveiled, then the larger process of deciding whether to change the name or not came about. But I could be way wrong on the timelines there. This is surprising. The public perception is that this is a very time and energy and resource consuming situation. He does seem to be fighting this out of principle, not because of love for the logo/nickname. I will admit that, even taken out of context, it's pretty difficult to read Kupchella's comments about the tenuous position UND would be in if all the tribes asked for the nickname use to be discontinued in any other way. Without reading the whole thing, I will accept what he's said because he's been on the level about everything else. It's hard to see what context could change the quote. We've heard that discussions about modifying or even forgoing use of the nickname were on the table, but it was fairly recent and didn't seem to be a very "large" reference. It was interesting to see Kupchella's comments again here because it seems to verify that potentially modifying or changing the nickname is a very real possibility. It's understandable. What will be interesting is to watch it play out. Is there a way to solicit the necessary support for the nickname as it is? What could be the possible modifications that would make it acceptable and maintain the heritage of the nickname? How real are the possibilities that the name will need to be dramatically changed? I definitely dug the references to the Spirit Lake Tribe wondering why their support is being questioned. That's huge, IMO. Apparently only to me though, because Nick Coleman and the NCAA don't agree.

Yeah, but it's not me, so WOOHOOO!

Great work, PCM.

A poster on GPL said the KMSP 9 report included evidence that bar tabs were comped in exchange for free tickets. Couldn't find the story on the KMSP website this morning, but will be interested to read it when it gets up. If they truly have evidence it would seem to step this incident into more serious territory, IMO.

I not only wrote to Coleman, but also the the Strib's Reader's Representative. Click on the "Reader's Representative" link just above the column for an email address: http://www.startribune.com/161/story/284029.html Edit: I received this rather quick response from the Reader's Representative. My letter first: Her response:

This guy ruined my breakfast this morning. Here's a particularly tasty quote from his piece: Nick Coleman is exactly why UND needs to fight this policy. The idea that an individual or an organization can make up what amounts to bogus charges on their own, then assign that guilt to someone else, and expect that person to bend over and take it is vulgar. Coleman does the exact same thing to UND benefactors. This particular comment is obscene, IMO. I almost never use the word offended, but this fabrication gets me as close to that as anything I can think of. It's no surprise to me now why Coleman thinks he must finger point to everyone else's perceived racist and offensive beliefs. It takes one to know one.

I'm don't think it's selling a player short to have a realistic view of their capabilities. There are a variety of roles on a team and a player can excel at their role without having to score a ton. I don't see Watkins or Kaip or Fabian scoring prolifically, but there value high in other areas. But someone has to put the puck in the net. I could probably say the same for Porter. I do agree with you on Kozek. He's a guy with scoring potential and needs to realize a fair amount of that potential this coming year.

Congratulations to both Matt and Mike and thanks for representing the University of North Dakota FIGHTING SIOUX so ably during this run. Great to hear Commie was one of the stars of the game. How cool is that? Way to go!

This would be a nice photo on the front page of this website for a few days.

I don't think they've heard that. Our company is headquartered in Boston, not Asia.

I think a decent example of this is what is going on in our office right now. Our payroll/accounting office decided that the term "back office" was offensive. Now, most people knowledgeable about business realize that back office is not a demeaning term, but a descriptive term used to delineate those functions that are not "in front of the customer" like sales, marketing, etc etc. But our payroll folks have decided it's demeaning (reminds me of the "niggardly" confusion) and so now our VP avoids using the term. A friend of mine is the supv of that department. She's tired of me coming to her and showing her the various ways in which this term is used in normal business communication, and how it is not a derogatory term at all, but helps describe the function. I've tried to explain to her that I'm not trying to be a prick to her or her department, but trying to help them understand that there's nothing derogatory about this term other than connotation they've assigned it themselves. I don't think just because they've decided that the term is derogatory that we should shun it's appropriate and proper use. That does not send the right message in our society about how to fix things. Don't feed people. Teach them to feed themselves.

I get it. You're point is clear to me.

I understand the point you are making. Your original comment was so general that I think we could come up with offensive nicknames if we tried. However, as for nicknames currently in use, I would agree with your point.

Or Porter. There's some speed in them thar wheels.

I don't know that I would go as far as you.

It's disheartening that though Jacobs basically agrees with UND's position but thinks that the smart thing to do is to bend over and take it. If contact the Jacobs and tell him the name of his paper offends me will he change it just to avoid any potentially negative publicity? I highly doubt it. Nor should he. IMO his perspective on the right way to handle this situation is all wrong.