MafiaMan

Wisconsin's policy was amended AFTER the NCAA's "hostile and abusive" language was added to its own policy. The previous policy had always been pretty simple: No non-conference scheduling of any teams with Indian nicknames and/or imagery. Period. After 2007, that policy was scrapped in favor of "except when...". "Nickname crusader"? I love the nickname as much as anyone else and have been resigned to its departure whether I like it or not. I'm undecided as to whether or not the latest measure is a wise one.

Complaining about Minnesota? I'm simply pointing out that three schools essentially ignore official university policy...and yet you think this ban would stick with hockey no questions asked. I respectfully disagree.

REALLY? Walter Dickey, chairman of the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board, says the Badgers would play the Sioux because of their previous games in hockey. “We have an exception in our policy for what we call a traditional opponent, and you’re a traditional opponent,” Dickey says of the Sioux. “The policy is under review. We’re considering stuff. One of the things we’re looking at is what the NCAA is doing.” Minnesota would quickly do the same.

The official school policy of all three schools does not mention any preference for "NCAA-approved schools with Indian imagery". Check out Iowa AD Gary Barta's quote below... “We have a policy that came out several years ago indicating that we would not play any university outside of the Big Ten Conference who had a Native American mascot,” says Iowa athletic director Gary Barta. ...unless we can make money from scheduling that opponent, then we'll do it.

If Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin were SERIOUS about their commitment, they would ask the Big 10 to kindly schedule them against Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Miami, North Carolina State, Boston College, or any other ACC team not named "Seminoles." They aren't locked in by conference affiliation at all. The school policy is that they will not schedule any teams with Indian-related imagery and/or mascots. They're hypocrites and they know it.

GeauxSioux, ever wonder how Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota don't have a problem playing Florida State in the Big 10/ACC basketball challenge? Those "we can't play you because of university policy" issues go right out the window when money talks.

Typical ignorant liberal comment...

Back in 2006, ESPN Gonzaga basketball fans chanted "brokeback mountain" at West Virginia players and several signs were spotted in the stands reading "brokeback mountaineers." Gonzaga requested video from ESPN and students identified leading chants and carrying signs faced disciplinary action. Funny, though, I can't recall ANYONE saying that if West Virginia simply changed its nickname, that the problem would be solved. The University of Pittsburgh had similar problems with their football fans in 2008 for the very same reasons. The double-standard is unbelievable.

These are the same types of people who feel that the LSU Tigers could defeat a Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts.

InterlockingNDsports.com?

I always preferred this Canada hockey logo over the image the country currently uses.

Huh? The mascot Colonel Reb may have been changed to Rebel Black Bear, but the Ole Miss nickname is still "Rebels."

I couldn't disagree more. This logo is waaay too busy. I also hate the way Canada touts its success by putting the border around their logo based on the last medal performance in international competition. I'm not bitter at all about Crosby's goal at the Olympics, am I? I guess if that logo were surrounded by silver, I'd probably like it.

One pet peeve of mine (and it is noticeable during the Final Five games at the X) is that you can tell the Sioux fans from everyone else because the local fans here understand the need to wait for the whistle before scampering to their seat or up the steps. The last time I was in Grand Forks, I had to get up every six seconds to let 3-8 people by me so they could go grab a beer. I'm all in favor of standing and cheering and being a hockey fan, but doesn't anyone actually WATCH the game without leaving their seat for a beer/potty break every 30 seconds? I'd much rather watch a game knowing I don't have to divert people traffic all around me while the puck is in play.

LadyDy, aren't you banned from crossing the border?

I think we are getting to the point where outdoor games are 'jumping the shark.' Just check out the 'other' outdoor game held at Fenway Park last year. Once a novelty, too many of these events water the idea down.

I warned people about this a long time ago...the possibilities are endless with those who are offended by nicknames... Town in MO asks kU to ditch mascot

I agree 100% on St Cloud over the choices left. UND, CC, and Denver are touting the NCHC as the 'premier' college hockey conference. If Western Michigan doesn't make this past season's NCAA tournament, there is NO WAY that school gets a bid to the "super" conference.

Cam Neely and the Boston Bruins have raised new era-specific banners in the Garden...it has always bothered me that UND championship teams of past eras have banners in REA which use a logo that came decades AFTER their achievements. If the Sioux nickname does indeed go by the wayside but items of "historical value" are allowed to be retained, why wouldn't REA showcase pretty much the entire logo history of Sioux championships on the national title banners? I think this would be a perfect way to cherish the memory of the Fighting Sioux...and at least be historically accurate. Boston Bruins Banner-Raising

Ouch. I realize it has been a while, but if it wasn't for the 1993 Paul Kariya-led Maine Black Bears, the Lake Superior State University Lakers would be the only back-to-back-to-back hockey champions in semi-recent history. Comparing them to programs like UAA and MSU-M is hardly fair.

Nice to see you again, PCM!

Schlossman article I've only been saying this for about 10 years...I'm sure the NCAA bigwigs probably won't even consider this option, though. I've always felt small schools get the short straw with a great regular season, only to have to venture to Boston, New Hampshire, St Paul, Milwaukee, and other larger cities with either a hostile environment or NO environment. College hockey would change for the better if changes were made to the NCAA tournament format. Does anyone have opinons strongly in favor of this or strongly opposed? I can recall some miserable regional tournaments, like the 1999 regional in Madison where a crowd of what looked like 250 people watched the Sioux lose to Boston College. Wisconsin didn't make the tournament that year and the old "Great Dane" was a morgue. Not to continue to pick on Wisconsin, but their 2006 NCAA champions won the title without having to leave their state border for a regional or the Frozen Four. Ranking the teams 1-16 makes sense, only if the 1-8 seeds can play at home. My two cents...

While I will concede somewhat that Michigan Tech's best route to respectability might be playing NMU, LSSU, Bowling Green, Ferris State, and Western Michigan, I am not buying the 'high profile' view of Ames Iowa as a great hockey road trip. Houghton Michigan is a great hockey town. Keep it in the WCHA.

2005 Final Five on the brain again, YaneA? Platinum? Well played, Mauer!