jdub27

And if they continue to make limited edition shirts or apparel, they are doing that. They released 50 at Scheels and 50 at the Sioux Shop, sold them and made money. Not sure how that is hard to prove? They will have to use all the previous marks in order to stay in compliance, not just the Brien logo. It was included for the reasons you stated, so that it didn't fall into the public domain and it remained under control. I'd love to print up some apparel with some of the logos from way back and sell them for a nice profit. Don't see that happening (legally) in the future. I guess other than some sort of hypocrisy (which is synonymous with the NCAA), I didn't see it as all that strange. The NCAA deemed allowing very limited runs of apparel to be better than it being freely available for public use.

This was addressed in 2013. Dacotah Legacy Collection: Print off 100 limited edition shirts to keep the trademarks and sell for a huge profit. The NCAA is fine with it because its 100 items and is the only way the trademarks can stay active. And with the pace they've been doing it, it appears it will be extremely limited. Not sure how fans shouting "Fighting Sioux" or wearing old clothing helps UND in regards to this. Neither of those is considered commercial use which is needed to keep the trademarks. I personally own one of those shirts and will buy any other releases if I'm able. Why? Because I'm proud of the history and the University. That doesn't mean I don't want it to move on from a situation that continues to be a net negative for the University.

Now that we've agreed upon and established that, let's address the part of the settlement agreement that says "transition to a new nickname and logo" and explain how going with North Dakota and continuing to use the existing interlocking ND exclusively as the only logo doesn't seem to fit. Maybe the NCAA doesn't care right away but sure gives them a pretty easy out to revisit it and we do this whole circus again. Nothing like poking a bear who is already tired of your antics.

I fully agree that there is something that seems off about it. I guess if it makes the final 3 or 4 or whatever number is voted on, I will stand corrected. Until then, I feel comfortable, though slightly confused, by what I've been told.

I don't think they have doled out any punishments yet (and all the more reason to not cross the NCAA, they may be looking for a distraction fairly soon....).

As to the first part, I'm not saying UND what UND does or doesn't know, but I have a general idea of what some people related to the process know. Which leads to a whole different set of questions but that's for a different time. As for the second part, Sicatoka explains comments that have been floating around better than I can:

UND has not picked a new nickname as they agreed to. Not picking a new nickname is willfully fostering an environment that keeps Fighting Sioux as the de facto nickname. The last few years have proven it not to mention they many people who have openly stated it. UND nor the NCAA will not stop people from wearing or cheering whatever they want, but until UND has picked a new nickname, they have not fully done their part to move on and are very much culpable for it.

The couple of years has shown that most will continue to use the Fighting Sioux nickname because there is nothing to fill the void. Leaving the void open will do nothing but continue that. Picking something new gives people guidance on where to go. Of course there will be people that will continue to use it, regardless of what is chosen but those people will slowly dwindle, as has happened at every other school and college that has went through the same process. That doesn't mean that people forget about it, but it means that people understand what is best for the University. I would very much argue that the NCAA feels the school has moved on. They had representatives in Fargo at the regionals and heard the Sioux chants. And as tSic would say, Marco Hunt being on the ice in Boston wasn't a coincidence/mistake it was a message...

I guess they are much worse than inspiring names such as Hawkeyes, Spartans, Gophers, Cornhuskers, Wildcats, Badgers, Ducks, Aggies, Falcons, Broncos, Bulldogs, Rams, Cowboys, etc, etc, etc. All of those are on the same level as the majority of the finalist list. The difference is, they are in place and people have acclimated to them. The same thing will happen at UND. There wasn't going to be some magical nickname that everyone looked at and said "Yep, that's it" so I'm not sure why people are surprised that there is unrest with the finalists. It's a nickname. The sports teams will continue to strive to make the University of North Dakota proud regardless of whatever new nickname and logo happens to be chosen and rational, level-headed people will still support them the same.

Hey, you made my point for me and answered why "North Dakota" has a bigger drawback than any other name on the list! Thanks! Not to mention, choosing nothing means UND is in fact not choosing a new nickname, which (while up for much debate) seems to be in direct violation of the signed settlement agreement that requires UND to choose a new nickname. University of North Dakota isn't new it has been around since 1883.

University of North Dakota North Dakota seems a little redundant, no?

There is a lot more to it than revenue from merchandise and the marketing aspect but to deny that it is without merit is to be purposefully ignorant. The bigger issue, is that it leaves Fighting Sioux as the de facto nickname. WDAZ interviewed people on the news last night about the remaining names. One of the responses they showed was a student saying “I like North Dakota because we're indefinitely the Sioux". At least she was honest enough to admit why many support having no nickname. That is what is going to hold the University back more than anything.

I'd say he crossed the line from caring and to making an ass out of himself. Won't argue that he plays with some emotion, but that was an embarrassment. Guessing he'll get a few game suspension, more so because he started pushing on one of the umpires. Hope he just gets a fine, losing his bat is exactly what the Twins don't need right now.

Twins continue to come back to Earth and Hunter shows some quality maturity and "leadership" tonight.

Congrats to Tyler Follis, first UND draft pick since 2000.

Just so you know what you actually cited:

That's funny. I'm sure going forward with no nickname, more or less giving the blessing to continue to use Fighting Sioux as the de facto nickname, won't continue to cause issues for the University. If they don't fill the void with something, fans will continue to use the most convenient thing available to do so. The last few years, when UND has had no nickname, is empirical evidence of that. Sure, there will be people that continue to live in the past, but the majority will move on when given the opportunity to do so. There are already many examples of this. And no, moving on does not mean forgetting or disregarding the past, it means UND moving forward, trying to remove itself from a situation that is a net negative for the University.

You know what would be really, really fun? To go with North Dakota and then end up doing this whole process over again in a few years.

Your lack of knowledge on the subject is shining through if you think that North Stars is one of only two reasonable options. Picking the state motto of a neighboring state seems real logical...

Yes, those of us that have an actual vested interest in the University will support it regardless. Your opinion is coming from "marketing expert" who thinks a nickname that leads to UNDERMINES is a good idea. Not to mention that a ermine is a weasel that is basically only good for its fur.

Yep.

Good point. And I'm sure there are people who did alter their donations because of Kelley though there are also people who are big fans of him and his wife.

Just to play devil's advocate, how you do you explain the $330 million or so raised from the Spirit campaign?

I'm not sure what part there is confusion about. Every step of the process has been publicly explained as far as I can tell. The only thing that I'm currently unsure of is the exact details on how the final vote will be held, but I'm guessing they are still working through that and it will be explained, just like everything else has, before it is done.

What questions? He'll be here for the fall semester, guessing any questions people have, they can have answered in that time frame.