ScottM

Don't confuse him.

Nice, but it's about seven years too late for SL to suddenly back UND's use of the moniker and expect the NC$$ to listen.

Given all the snowbirds from NoDak and Minnesota hanging out in Arizona, the logo could be an old man in tacky golf pants and a John Deere hat ...

In my own view, it was always the "Sword of Damocles" tying the moniker to any tribe's approval, let alone two tribes. Given the changes in politics in Indian Country an "approval" could have been revoked in the future,and we'd be having this same discussion again. Moreover, it creates the specter of one or more tribes effectively holding a school "hostage" at any given time. (Just try suing a "sovereign nation" for extortion or breach of contract.) Because of the money on the table, I doubt the Seminoles in Florida would pressure FSU on the name. It would be interesting to see if the Chippewa or Utes do it in the future.

Don't forget Sam. A classy gentleman if there ever was one. I remember Steve when he worked there too, before he went to law school.

I'd probably give Alcorn State 4 pts ...

I wonder how much 'ditch weed" they smoke before they write anything on SAB. It reminds of me of a dumbed down version of "The Onion".

Chaske said he remains convinced that the NCAA, if presented with a statewide North Dakota vote supporting the nickname - including clear support at Standing Rock - would relent in its position on UND's noncompliance with NCAA policy on use of American Indian names and imagery. I'm amazed that Clueless Al and Chaske were separated at birth. I'm glad they've found each other.

And yet so typical.

"We're in this for the long haul, and we're doing this for our people and ... the University of North Dakota," he said. Yeah, right.

I'm not sure even the Canadians deserve having two of them around ... can we send him to Iran or North Korea instead?

Oh come on, think of the bipartisian potential that would help banish their do-nothing, dysfunctional image that makes the Italian parliament look positively effective. The GOP could attack the NC$$ as an "elitist" organization seeking to "impose its agenda" on schools across the land. The Dems could attack the NC$$'s rules as discriminating against poor minority student-athletes. The C-SPAN potential is huge. Seriously, I think that if any member of NoDak's congressional delegation had summoned up the fortitude to challenge the NC$$ in 2005, we may not be in the current mess. Maybe it's too late, or maybe not ...

Money certainly talks in DC, but it doesn't vote in North Dakota or anywhere else. If Berg or any of the others wants to keep their job, perhaps the petitioners should see fit to put their feet to the fire. If any of The Three Stooges doesn't pick up this issue and press the NC$$ over its business practices, then either fire the politicians or keep this issue out of the political process entirely and let the NC$$ and Board go on their merry ways. Votes and voter should matter, but they have to get off their asses to do so. "Change" at the NC$$ won't happen in Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, Jamestown, Fort Totten, etc., but it may happen in DC if somebody is willing to push these guys for once.

I don't really care what SR or SL do. If this issue is so important that 17,000 souls are willing to sign petitions that will endanger UND's viability at D1, why aren't they willing to make this an election issue for The Three Stooges, or those who want to be part of that triad? It would be pretty easy to "run against the NC$$", and you may actually find allies in Congress with their own grievances against the NC$$ to make an impact. Said it before, and I'll say it again:If anybody signs those petitions they should not vote for any incumbent this fall. Put your money and votes where your mouth is.

I believe that was the intent of the NC$$, and it goes back to my original hypothesis from 2007: Losing the Sioux moniker was/is the implicit price for going D1 in all sports. I believe it's also why UND was saddled with the "two tribes' approval" provision. The NC$$ did not want that "hostile and abusive" logo showing up on ESPN or anywhere else where their hypocrisy would be on full display. This, of course, says nothing about Florida State's NC$$-approved "rider" driving a lance into the ground at mid-field on ABC, ESPN, etc,

Can the voters "recall" Clueless Al? Maybe that's a worthwhile petition ...

This is Clueless Al's great moment to seize greater political power, feed his bloated ego, eviscerate the NC$$ on C-SPAN and "save" the Sioux moniker for UND or SL, or something! *cue "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

How about an "extraordinary rendition" to say Jordan or Morocco?

It's kind of curious that if this issue was such a sore point for so many people in the past, that they are now willing to handicap UND athletics, why are the politicos like Conrad, Hoeven, et al. continually re-elected? And the AG Stenjhem has been in office since 2001 and has been re-elected a few times. Odd ... Is this issue on the agenda for the congressional elections? Since the feds have the only real power to bring the NC$$ to heel, you have to wonder about the true motivations of Carlson, Hennen, Soderstrom, etc.

Regardless of the histrionics about "inconsistency", "fairness" or recycling idiotic legislation, at the end of the day, the state agreed to the terms of the terms of the settlement, and the NC$$ is not going to give in. Live with it.

Alcorn State is barely the size of a decent community college. It's not as if they had much to lose with regard to conference affiliations since they are already a standing member of the SWAC. On the plus side, if the "moniker at any cost" crowd has its way, perhaps UND can schedule them too.

So, Clueless Al's bloated ego still rules his words and actions? Color me shocked ... I'm interested in how Al intends to pay his lawyers to "represent" the legislature. I don't believe they appropriated any money or enabled any legislation to allow that. Maybe Reed Soderstrom will do it pro bono and really get himself in deep.

The only people who publicly thought the legislation would alter the NC$$'s thinking were Al Carlson and some of those who still don't grasp the fact North Dakota's laws don't extend past its borders. They should have been disabused of that notion after the pointless trip to Indianapolis when the NC$$ honchos tapped tapped their fingers on a copy of the settlement agreement while nodding politely.

A conference won't expel another member? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-14/big-east-conference-expels-west-virginia-in-mountaineers-move-to-big-12.html Granted the facts are different, but when there's money to be made or lost, you can bet the gloves will come off.

How much money does UND make when Wisconsin or Minnesota play at REA? "King" or not, Hakstol is probably very cognizant of the potential impacts sanctions could have on his program.