PCM

A book on Ralph Engelstad's life is one that I think would be really interesting. It'd have to be an honest, candid biography, not a "puff piece." I'd certainly be willing to write it.

You got it.

With regard to the NCAA, I think that what put Kupchella over the edge was the falseness of the charge and the unfairness of the process. With the nickname and logo, my impression is that he essentially said to the name-change proponents: I have an open mind on the issue and it's up to you to convince me that UND's use of the name and logo is offensive in any way. He's heard all the arguments and he remains unconvinced. His analogy about how he'd feel if someone wanted to honor Latvians illustrates that. He understands that it is indeed possible to use American Indian words and imagery in an offensive manner, but he doesn't believe that UND is doing that. Plus, he believes that the Fighting Sioux tradition is something that should be maintained and is nothing about which UND should be ashamed.

As far as I can remember, your timeline is correct. However, while I knew that Kupchella was the person who publicly unveiled the new logo, I didn't know that it was his idea to get a new one designed. Maybe that was discussed somewhere else and I missed it. I'd always assumed that the initiative for the new logo came from Ralph Engelstad or Earl Strinden or possibly Roger Thomas, not Kupchella himself. Without having access to the e-mail in question, all I can do is accept Kupchella's word that the sentence related to one of several possible scenarios discussed in the document. Even the story in the February 2001 Chronicle of Higher Education mentioned that the e-mail was 16 pages long and that it covered a variety of scenarios. However, it was that story in which the quote was spun as "evidence" that Kupchella was leaning toward changing the name. In other words, the writer didn't really know for certain what Kupchella had in mind. He was making a guess based on one sentence from a 16-page document. Over time, that single sentence has been quoted as "proof" that Kupchella would have changed the name if not for Engelstad's letter and the subsequent intervention by the State Board of Higher Education. The key quote from Kupchella in the story is: So as Kupchella explains it, he was not unhappy with the board's decision to make UND retain the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. He only wished that it had happened sooner rather than later. There would have been no need for Engelstad to write the letter he did, a letter that to this day gives the entire affair a black eye. Remember, many members of the media and of this board were surprised that Kupchella came out swinging against the NCAA within days after its anti-Indian nickname policy was announced. Many assumed that Kupchella would leap at this as an opportunity to do what he supposedly wanted to do all along. And the Nick Coleman's of the world still want you to believe that that evil bully, Ralph Engelstad, was responsible for preventing Kupchella from changing the name. The explanation Kupchella gives makes far more sense. He wouldn't have considered changing the name unless both Sioux tribes in the state called for it. But they never did. In fact, as Kupchella noted in the story, the Spirit Lake tribe passed a resolution giving UND conditional approval to use the name and logo. That immediately made his concern about having no tribal support a moot point. Thus, until the Spirit Lake Tribal Council either rescinds its December 2000 resolution or passes a new one, the sentence from the e-mail is irrelevant. And it's been irrelevant for nearly six years.

It was during game 2 at Minnestoa. I believe it happened at the end of the second period as both teams were headed off the ice. Smaby was chatting with the ref and not really paying attention. Frazee came by and "accidentally" bumped into Matt. Then they exchanged some words. It wasn't visible on TV at the time it happened, but Frank Mazzocco and Doug Woog showed the video replay and talked about the incident just before the third period stated. Frank's imagined remark for Smaby was, "A flea hit me!" Doug said that Frazee should stay away from Smaby -- for about 20 years.

I think Mike should be more worried about Zach Parise.

You stereotyped me!

Those are excellent questions. If the NCAA can lobby the Spirit Lake tribe in North Dakota to drop its support, how can Florida State, Utah, Central Michigan and Mississippi College feel safe with the exemptions they've been granted? What if the NCAA decides to involve itself in the process of lobbying tribes in other states to withdraw their support? That's why other NCAA members need to take heed of this quote from Kupchella:

Thanks. And thanks to Sioux-cia for providing the links. But I am somewhat surprised that some of the comments made by Kupchella in the articles didn't trigger more discussion here. For example: It was Kupchella who initiated the Fighting Sioux logo in use today. Most people probably think Earl Strinden or Roger Thomas or Ralph Engelstad had more to do with it. But Kupchella said he was the one who took the initiative to have an updated design created, which explains why he was so taken aback by the reaction when the logo was unveiled. It might also be why he continues to defend the name and logo. Kupchella didn't think the name issue was a big deal in 1999 and, seven years later, he still doesn't think it should be a big deal. In fact, he said that he doesn't spend as much time on it as most people think. My impression was that he views it as an intellectual exercise that provides a good learning experience for students and faculty alike. The story peddled by the media the past five years about Kupchella wanting to do the right thing and change the name, only to be thwarted by the bullying Engelstad and the State Board of Higher Education, isn't accurate. Kupchella had no problem with the SBoHE decision to keep UND's nickname. He just wishes the board would have made the decision sooner. And although he and Ralph didn't always see eye-to-eye on everything, he says they got along fine. Discussions with the tribes regarding the name and logo are ongoing. Kupchella said the first objective is to continue to use the name and logo in a manner that's acceptable to everyone. If that doesn't work, they'll explore whether there's a way to modify the name and logo to make them acceptable to everyone. He also said: "We're not adamant about keeping this name for all eternity." He said that changing the architecture of the REA is not an option. Kupchella believes that most residents of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation support UND's use of the nickname and logo, even if the tribal council doesn't. He also said the Spirit Lake tribal council has refused to change or rescind its 2000 resolution giving UND conditional approval to use the Sioux name, despite heavy lobbying by the NCAA and others. Comments?

Indeed.

I want to frame this and hang it on the wall.

Not necessarily. They tend to like the underdog.

If you only knew then what you know now.

I'm not saying that it's "super secret." I am saying that you don't know everything that Kupchella knows.

Do you have access to the exact same information that UND's leadership used to make its decsion? Because unless you do, you're simply blowing hot air.

This can't be right. Kupchella is still president and UND is going DI? That's unpossible!

No, I'm ancient, you're old. How many times do we have to go over this?

As I recall, the minimum is 15,000.

I rest my case.

I know that, but The Sicatoka is living in denial.

Nope. He would have said "too ancient" if he meant me.

According to [url="http://in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=130613

Here's your answer.

Maybe someone will build a mall where you live.