siouxfan512

... with the best hockey arena in the country

I have to say, I was not a fan of Nanne for a while, especially with trying to lure Parise away, after committing to UND, but I have warmed up to him a little bit with listening to him talk on KFAN, and if you ever want top notch hockey talk, listen to Nanne and Phil Esposito talk about old time hockey when they are on Barreiro on KFAN. That is fun hockey talk.

I get what you are say, but in some regard that is like telling me align my opinion to do as the president says, because he knows more about how the government operates. No thanks. I like my opinion and given the opportunity to vote my opinion. I will do so.

The nicknames I preferred were dropped long before the final 15 or whatever the number was and I was felt the same before and after they did that. The committee followed the processes laid out for them, that's why I have no issue with them. They ranked the nicknames at least twice with "no nickname" being the lowest scoring of what remained, I'm not sure how keeping it on the list at that point made sense. My issue with how Kelley handled it is that he openly undermined the committee. I guess I didn't think about the fact that the process did state he had the ability to add names to the final list, but to add something that saw more debate than anything else, scored consistently low from the committee and was voted out isn't quite how I saw him using that power. I understand the issue there. You would have though that this would have been largely discussed behind closed doors before the option was removed by the committe (and maybe it was). You would also think Kelley would have consulted with the committee before today's announcement. I did like today's announcement, but I AM NOT, nor have I ever been a fan of Kelley. Though, I can't say I think the voting of the committee is a accurate representation of the school's stakeholders; otherwise I think we would have seen Nokota or something else in the mix over Sundogs. When the Fighting Sioux nickname was dropped, a group of people that fully knew the sanctions that would be placed on UND, did not care and chose to insist that the Fighting Sioux nickname be kept (and some continue to this day). That is not someone who can honestly say they support the University of North Dakota. To claim to be a fan and then voluntarily and intentionally supporting something that places the school at a disadvantage is mind-blowing. I do understand what you're saying, I just don't have the same opinion. I want the University of North Dakota to have every advantage possible. Also understandable. I think that when Fighting Sioux was dropped, some people went a little far to try and hold onto it. Though their passion is admirable, th PC crowd sadly won that fight. Animosity towards the extremists is understandable, as I don't believe holding onto the Fighting Sioux name would be worth the damange to the school of losing competition and being punished. But I do think there is a line, where we don't bend over and take it from the NCAA or the PC crowd. The name is gone, and there is nothing offensive about the state name. I think we actually think along similar lines, just have a different end opinion.

Kelley gets a -2 just because.....he is Kelley and this is how he operates Bahahaha, I like this one.

I agree, definitely a passionate fan base about hockey, and the nickname. Though I do think the school is trending in the right direction. Passion for football and basketball will come with winning. Something that hockey has had alot of so you can completely blame that crowd. But I definitely understand your frustration. that being said, the passion that goes towards this nickname is somewhat of a seperate issue from the lack of passion about non-hockey sports. again, I think it will trend in the right direction, especially with football. I also agree on calling the bluff of "potential donors". Not everyone who says they will pull funding, has or ever will donate, or donate a significant amount. BUT the University does need to consider their options and weigh out the possible ramifications of alienating a certain portion of their fan base/alumni/ticketholders/etc. Simply state, this process has been way overdone. Nevertheless, the school needs to see it through for finality; and needs to do so carefully. They need to appease the NCAA (however that may be nickname/no-nickname - I'm not looking to stir up that debat on this thread), they need to appease their athletes, they need to appease their stakeholders. This will not be universal appeasement, but they need to find a good balance.

Since Kelley get the final say regardless of what the committee does, as was always stated, I'm intrigued by this. I could be wrong, but it seems like you are ok with the committee because they voted out the No-name option, and Not ok with Kelley because he chose to change that. An option that was always on the table. Now I'm not agreeing with the way this has all been handled. I voted 1 across the board, but your assessment of the process as a whole seems very skewed by who agrees with your opinions and which outcome supports what you want. To say those people are not supporters is harsh. I think those folks just feel betrayed by an institution that they feel has turned its back on them. Not agreeing with them, but I think they just feel "You turn your back on me, I'll turn my back on you". Again, I don't agree with this, but to say they aren't even fans or supporters is a bit harsh. I guarantee none of these people do that light-heartedly.

Wrong vote buddy. You can try to make a ridiculous argument, but you know what I was talking about. The public has made it very clear that a significant (not necessarily majority) percentage want no-nickname. That should be enough to warrant a spot in the public vote; Just as Roughriders deserves a spot in the final vote, based on the popularity of public opinion.

The vast majority of the people coming out of the woodwork on this issue are of the "hockey-only" crowd. - Speculation. Of course you are going to get more hockey fans speaking out. There are just more hockey fans at the school; sad truth. I agree, it would be great to see this same crowd support football, basketball, etc, but that does not change the fact that people are passionate about what the name was, is and will be. School supporters want to voice their opinion, and do not want to be told what their opinion should be. Lastly, UND needs to worry about competing on the field of competition, by improving academic standards, facilities, and instruction/coaching, not how to politically deal with impulsive behavior regarding at nickname/logo. - Agreed, the focust SHOULD BE on developing the programs, facilities, athletes. That being said this issue is not something the university can afford to just overlook. They do have to consider the number of supporter that may be affected by this. Right or Wrong, there will be people who choose to stop supporting the school based on this outcome (I am not condoning that) but UND does need to consider that long term ramifications. This has been a LONG LONG LONG battle going back to way before I was a Sioux fan, and I think we are close to seeing some finality. Should be important to finish this the right way.

1 - regardless of what if any name is picked. Complete Trainwreck!

Read the boards, there are plenty of people (and I clearly state, not all) that are flip flopping. If you truly believe Kelley had not influence on the committee or the process, you are too naive to have this discussion with. I think Kelley and the committee underestimated how upset a significant percentage of people would be about taking away the option to even vote on this issue. I read something, which was well stated, that it would already be a large undertaking to implement a new nickname and logo. BUT if you are going to take away the public's ability to at least vote and have their say (essentially what you are doing by removing North Dakota), you have going to have a much more difficult time getting people to buy into a new nickname. If North Dakota goes up for a vote, and loses, I will be much more inclined to "move on". I won't be thrilled, but I will be content in know that I got to have my input, and the process worked the way it was supposed to.

To sum up: "That thing you are passionate about is stupid, move on" There is nothing wrong with people being passionate about it. Just as you are passionate about moving on. The only group to blame about making this process such a focal point is the committe, the president and the school for poorly designing, manipulating, and drawing out this process. I agree with you that we need to get the process done. But to simply say, hurry up and move on from Sioux, or North Dakota, or No Nickname or Whatever is easilty stated, when it aligns with your own opinions. Other people feel differently, and that is a reality you need to accept too; just as the rest of us may have to accept moving on from North Dakota ... BUT only after the process has seen itself through.

Should also note, that people are upset about more than just the nickname logo itself. It is about having something they support stripped from them by the PC crowd, it is about having their most popular (or one of their most popular options) take away from them at the end of the process. The process in itself is very upsetting. Flip the scenario, if Kelley had come out today and just said, UND WILL REMAIN NORTH DAKOTA, could you take a step back, accept it, and make it easier for yourself? Or would you have some emotion, that having no-nickname is not the direction you want for this school? I'm thinking you would probably be somewhat upset, aggravated, annoyed, etc.

To reiterate: Don’t argue me on the benefits of moving on, I understand them, as do many others, but understanding your arguments an reasoning doesn’t mean I agree with them or am willing to change my own opinion. Just as I don’t expect my reasoning or arguments to change yours. My point was the anti-no nickname crowd, was praising the committee and president mere days ago because they were getting their way. The instant that changed, or appeared to have changed, they are upset and condemning the president. Now, I am not a fan of this process as a whole; BUT you have to realize that the process sucks regardless of the outcome, not only when the outcome does not benefit your opinion.

I think if the No Nickname option went to vote, and lost, people would be much more accepting of it. I know I would. My anger in the situation, was being told up front that my opion (or vote) would not be hear. Should I make my vote and still lose, sure I'll be bummed, but at least the process would have played out.

Thanks! Glad I could do something productive at work on a Friday morning!

Never hurts to make a call, though I'm sure there will be MANY other programs offering this kid. Can't imagine UND picking up a player that is this highly touted, but it is sure fun to think about. Would really be fun to watch that.

Not going to elaborate on whether or not I think UND should remain North Dakota, those who have been on these message boards know my position well enough on the nickname, and even more so my opinion on this appalling process. That being said, I do have to laugh and shake my head at some of you. Since the North Dakota was eliminated from consideration, some (not all) of you (Anti- "North Dakota"/Anti-No Nickname) crowd, have been posting comments and opinions blasting people for even being upset. Of course people are going to be upset! The Fighting Sioux nickname was something people were incredibly passionate about. Moving on from the name was already hard enough, and I think people were able to cope with just North Dakota. Asking people to move on again, from North Dakota, and replace the nickname completely is going to be difficult. Don’t argue me on the benefits of moving on, I understand them, as do many others, but understanding your arguments an reasoning doesn’t mean I agree with them or am willing to change my own opinion. Just as I don’t expect my reasoning or arguments to change yours. This same crowd is now blowing up the message board, stating how ridiculous this is, that the President has no backbone (which I agree, he doesn’t), that this committee is a job, etc. While I think we can all agree on most of these points based on the process; the funny part is that as soon as the process turns away from your opinions, you explode in anger, when mere days ago this same group of people was stating (to paraphrase), “That’s the way it is. Get over it and move on” Not saying this changes anything, or that UND will even have the opportunity to remain North Dakota. BUT when you are going to rant on the message board about how people are being stupid, and they need to just get over an issue that they are passionate about and invested in, remember that their passion and emotion may match, or even exceed, yours about that very same issue; even if their opinion is on the opposite end of the spectrum. It is far easier to find common ground, if you understand and empathize with someone, rather than chastise them; even if you don’t agree with their view. Go North Dakota! (stepping off my soapbox)

Sounds like he could be an immediate impact player. Can't wait to see what they develop him into over the next few years. Could be really dominant before his time is up.

3 - Overall they have been worthless, but there have been a few folks on the committee who have worked to ensure the process was done right and that the public had a say in this, even though we won't in the end.

If there is any takeaway from this entire process, it is, It doesn't really matter what we want. If it was, Sundogs would not be in the top 5. If it was actually about what we (the fans) want, no name would have, at least, been up for people to vote on. Again, not saying it would or should win, but should have been up for people to vote on ... if it truly was about what people (not all, but MANY) wanted.

Great New! I like it!

School?

At least this thread has lived up to its name.

Wasn't me making that argument. I'm just saying I would love to see it. If they played a game down here, I would definitely go. That being said, I will try to go to the game this fall in Fargo if I can. I will at least be up there to tailgate and enjoy the festivities. Should be fun, can't wait.