ScottM

Only if they decide on this ...

Why? You'd suck as goalie. You flop around like a dying carp, you handle rebounds like a hot potato and you clear pucks right into the other guy's stick.

I think the "In the event" language creates the specter of conflict if some NC$$ nutjob decides to press the issue. There is no other mandate that UND must create a new name/logo, but if one is created it cannot violate the NC$$ dictates. Unless they are completely tone-deaf and/or stupid, I can't imagine the state or school will be in a hurry to foist a new name/logo immediately after the Sioux name/logo are buried. From my own perspective, this section isn't really the model of clarity and that's the kind of muck that ends up being litigated.

I agree. The Board took the coward's way out by not even making a serious, formal proposal and using whatever avenues were afforded in the "Settlement". Then again, I can't say I'm really surprised by a bunch of political hacks.

Good. The rivalry is great for both schools and the region.

Well, at the very least the DC Circuit Court of Appeals recently threw out attempts from "harmed" appellants to remove the Redskins' trademark protections.

Have you finally grown "a pair" yet?

The prior sentence creates an internal tension in the Agreement. "In the event UND announces a transition to a new nickname and logo .... " While the sentence giving UND until August 15, 2011, to adopt a new name and logo seems linked to the prior sentence, I believe the preceding sentence weakens any "mandate" to do so. I would submit the first sentence is a necessary condition of the second. Moreover, I would be surprised if the NC@@ wanted to make a big deal out of a new name/logo when they effectively achieved their desired result. Now, who gets the bill?

It's not a copyright issue, but a trademark issue. To maintain a trademark, the owner has to periodically certify the mark is still used in commerce. If the owner surrenders the mark or does not use it commerce, they generally lose their rights to it.

Apparently, he views this "opportunity" as a chance for a "marketing initiative". WTF? Is Billy Mays going to come on TV and exhort people to attend UND, give money to the alumni foundation, etc.? Personally, I'd support a new name like the "Filthy Bastards", but I suspect *some" bastard, somewhere would be upset ...

Dropping the name/logo was an implicit price for gaining full D1 status and conference affiliation(s) without the NC$$ creating any issues down the road. The name/logo were effectively finished the day the "settlement" was signed. Everything done in the interim by the school, board, etc. was merely a show to avoid undue backlash by alums and other supporters. Let's get it buried on our terms, and move on.

If anything happens it's more likely to happen in the spring/summer when people are less engaged or out of the loop. Kendall Baker tried the same thing one summer when I was on campus with regard to the name, and got a punch in the junk regardless.

Being Irish-American, I can honestly say that those of Irish descent are really too damn tough to care what some weak-kneed university run by a bunch of dress-wearing pansies in Indiana calls themselves.

"Anti-nickname organizer Erich Longie said he hopes Tribal Council members who win after next month

You don't know much about tribal politics, I take it. Do you think Ronny of Standing Rock wouldn't go out of his way to renege on, or undercut, any agreement allowing the use of the Sioux name/logo? What do we do, sue him in tribal courts packed with his allies and relatives? Remember the tribes are largely "sovereign" nations, inherent contradictions notwithstanding. You could get every tribal governing body to support the name/logo forever tomorrow, only to have the next elections undo that support based on whatever whim or agenda was being pressed. The NC$$ effectively made UND and the state beholden to the tribes. This made the name/logo like a bad hand in poker, and it's time to fold and move on.

The threat of rescission is the biggest problem I have with the NC$$ settlement. That should have been addressed in the agreement. SL and SR may be in favor of the Sioux name/logo now, but who's to say they won't yank that support in a year or two? The only thing I would hate more than having that sword hanging over us, is the fact that the school/state could effectively be extorted to meet someone's agenda with regard to monies paid, academic standards lowered, etc. I would rather just retire the name/logo now on our own terms, and let the opponents have their "victory" and let them fade from view.

There's a reason Brown is considered the "safety school" of the Ivies.

Nice article about the 'Hawks, and some good mentions about Toews. Linky

Nice article on BSU in the NY Times. NY Times

Nice little article on Bemidji's run into the FF. Linky

I agree, it's kind of nice being an "underdog" and being able to cheer for the other underdogs like Bemidji and Miami. Even though the Sioux and other perennial names, like Michigan and BC, aren't there , it's still a nice showcase for the sport.

I have to agree. Even though we didn't make the FF, it is nice to see some new blood going to the Big Show. Best of luck to Bemidji.

This link was in my email from the ARC. Red Cross

Best of luck to you and your neighbors. Saw a clip on the news this morning from Oxbow ...

Um yeah, back on topic again ... best of luck to you fighting Mother Nature in the Valley.