dagies

While this process is not tested here at UND, there are far too many examples in sports around the country where the nicknames are just unacceptable to me to trust that a worthy replacement will be found and approved. Found? Yes. Approved? Hmmmmmm....

Not just your opinion. My opinion too. Although I'd say MacWilliam will be in the lineup, whether that's top 2 pairs or not I don't know.

I generally agree with you but I also think the time that this takes will be largely dependant on how good or bad the new nickname and logo are perceived to be by the fanbase. If we become the "Freeze" or the "Sundogs" (Goon's nightmare) it may take a generation but if it's something that evokes the spirit of North Dakota with a decent logo, something people can identify with and is attractive the transition time will be much shorter. For myself, I'll still wear my Sioux gear for a period of time to hockey games. Maybe only a year or so. If the new nickname/ logo is horrible I may never give it up. If it's decent maybe after a year or so I'll get some new gear. But I will never give up wearing my Sioux gear totally.

A friend of mine had this idea: He suggests that the pro-nickname tribal members should file suit against the State of ND and the NCAA. The basis would be that prohibiting the use of the Sioux nickname would reduce opportunities for American Indian students at UND as well as suppress wider dissemination of American Indian awareness throughout the state. Therefore it becomes a civil rights issue. It's an interesting perspective.

I didn't know Lucia was doing play-by-play in those days: "And you tell me why it's North Dakota that has every single one of these, Paul." "I don't care what anybody says it's always the green and white that's involved."

That really would have put the onus on the Tribal Councils. If certain beneficial offers had been put forward, the councils would have to defend why they wouldn't take advantage of the mutually beneficial aspects this could bring to both UND and the tribes. They've been allowed to get away with a "no solicitation" sign until now. It's a touchy situation, however, because if you come with an offer unbidden in this sort of politically charged situation you risk being charged with bribery. It has to be communicated very smartly to avoid having it turned against you.

Personally, I don't see any concern about these being too similar to anyone else's jersey. I think the white and green's are exceptional just the way they are. No need to tinker. I think the blacks are nice as well, but for some reason, for me, they aren't quite as pleasing to look at as the other two. I wonder if it would be nice to have something completely different for the black jersey, sort of how the Swift blacks were so different from the normal home and road jerseys. Maybe just get rid of the green trim on the sleeves and the bottom (but leave the stripe on the shoulders) or have a simple horozontal stripe on the sleeve to match the one on the bottom, rather than the canted sleeve trim. Just a thought. You've done a great job.

Shawn-O, I agree. These are excellent jerseys and I would be very happy with them.

I couldn't tell for sure but that looked more like a blog entry to me? If so quoting Wikipedia probably isn't such a big issue.

That's great from our point of view but for the tribal members on the reservations they have many more serious issues to deal with than UND's nickname and they should be voting for representatives who offer the best chance to solve their other issues, regardless of their stance on the nickname.

I like the combo look as well. It's a very sharp jersey.

The more I look at this the more I like it. Nice work.

Don't forget that the Hobey isn't only about who put up the best statistics, or who is the best hockey player, but it takes into account character as well. Duncan was as good a representative of the Hobey in that category that the committee could ever ask for. Oshie and Toews were outstanding but Duncan was there when they were injured/slumping. He may not have had their upside but as a consistent force on that line he was there. And as good a player as he developed into in all facets of the game by his senior year he has nothing to apologize for.

This is the way I thought it would work for him.

Chris VandeVelde:

Outstanding!

Thanks for posting that link. A couple of parts I really liked:

I've been hoping for a change in sweater design for some time so don't get my hopes up. That said, my guess has been there will be no redesign of the sweater until the nickname thing is solved. Just my guess. I'm not a fan of the diagonal stripes. I'm just not.

Unless the Gophers are in it. Then they should play it.

I say stick with the Final Five name. Just that it's the final five league games, not the final five teams. I think the playoff format sounds good to me. 2 games on Thursday, 2 on Friday and 1 big one on Saturday.

As has been pointed out the vote victory isn't binding but it does refute the arguments made by the opponents including the NCAA. If the Tribal Councils continue to refuse their consent that is their right, but their denial will never be accepted as true representation of their people except by the few who agree with the Tribal decisions (those members that voted against, the NCAA, and the other well-meaning but misguided nickname opponents). Not that we couldn't anyway, but with this vote we can all hold our head high regardless of the final outcome because the proof is irrefutable.

I'm with you on your ideas.

I pretty much agree.

Yeah, how was the playing field "not level"? All members basically have the same context for their experiences in our culture. Some like it, some don't. By a landslide they like it.

That, and they are not obligated to support UND's use of the nickname.