Siouxperfan7

There are many that feel that the Fighting Sioux name and logo was never offensive, and that people that thought it was should just move on because what is offensive to some isn't always the case for others. But now, some of those same people are saying that they take offense to the Fighting Hawks name and logo because they thing it sucks. Obviously different reasons for being offended by each logo, but the mindset is the same. If you bitched and moaned about the PC idiots at the NCAA that tried to tell you that you should be offended by the Sioux name and logo yet now bitch and moan that the new name and logo is offensive....you might be a hypocrite.

Wait, are you trying to convince me that the REA makes money because of UND athletics? Poppycock!!!

And that's the problem. Should the decision of what logo is to be used at center court/ice be made my KM or the Engelstad Foundation?

The interlocking ND is retired. Not coming back. Not an option.

"I'm not sure of many other places where the wishes of the athletic department are not the governing operative, whether the facility is owned or leased or not." Like him or hate him, Kennedy has a valid point here.

I don't think Kennedy rephrasing it like it would have made any difference. They would have replied the same way. When your mind is made up about something, no one is going to change your mind.

You actually make a good point here. I don't think that the Fighting Hawks logo is as polarizing as Hodgson wants to believe. They could put the logo on the front of the hockey jerseys, replace the neon logos on the outside with the Hawks logo, etc, etc, etc and it is not going to make the die hard, Sioux Forever crowd hate the logo any more.

The most important thing in all this isn't the logo at mid court at the Betty. It is Kennedy going to REA and telling them things that he would like the REA to do to benefit UND, then the REA basically telling him tough luck, we do what we want. And that being in direct violation to the contract they had having the REA doing things in the best interests of UND. If the REA is confused as to what the best interests of UND are, maybe one place to look is the President of UND telling you what they are!

So doing something once is "actively"? If that is the case, I have "actively" been taking a dump all day!

UNLV alums living in Vegas? Is that right??

I am guessing she found out about the open records laws in ND and realized that she had to get out in front of this story to control the narrative. It worked...temporarily, until the facts come out.

Most schools put their logo at center court. Including SDSU. Thanks for pointing that out!!

Well, technically the Fighting Hawks logo is a "letter" logo. Ours just happens to be formed with a hawk head!!

Funny how all we heard after the Sioux name was retired that donations were going to go down. Yet they have gone up at record levels every year. Same thing applies here. If they put the logo at center ice/court, sure there would be people that wouldn't like it. But would people be giving up their season tickets so they wouldn't have to look at the logo they despise? Highly unlikely. Eventually people would get used to it and, god forbid, maybe start to appreciate it and maybe pick up a shirt or hat at the Siouxshop after the game. II think the biggest fear of the Sioux Forever crowd is that their die hard/anti nickname base may be less and less as the years go by and that the majority of UND fans will embrace the Fighting Hawks name and logo.

Or maybe "Hey, how bout you keep me and other leaders here at UND , you know your primary tenant who makes you all your money at the Ralph, in the loop in regards to big issues like this in the future. Thanks."

Exactly. The REA is making a statement with this decision. And that is that they don't support the Fighting Hawks logo. They are too afraid of offending the Sioux Forever crowd that they are actually offending those of us who have embraced the name and logo. Yeah, the logo is a polarizing symbol. But the REA is pouring gas on the fire and making it worse!!

The logos currently on the truf are not painted on. They are permanently on the turf. (At least the end zones and the Alerus Logos). Given the fact that the Alerus Center has gone through leadership changes and has gone through changes to the building to make if more the "home of Fighting Hakw football" I would anticipate seeing the new logo at midfield when it is eventually replaced.

Bottom line is the Ralph and the Betty were built for the sole purpose to host UND sporting events. They are the primary tenant. The intention of the gift was operate within the best interests of UND. So who decides what the best interests of UND are? A trustee on the board of the Englestad Foundation or the actual President of the University of North Dakota?

https://www.sayanythingblog.com/entry/at-the-university-of-north-dakota-another-feud-over-another-logo/ The truth comes out.

I replied back to his first email: Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it. I guess I am wondering why the logo will not be at center court and center ice next year. We have a new logo. It should be displayed prominently at our two most high profile venues. Having a logo at midfield/court/ice/etc is something that literally every college program does. Why is it that the Ralph chooses not to do so. In my personal opinion, it is like REA Inc is ashamed of the new logo and is reluctant to display it. The REA could help in a huge way to help people accept the Fighting Hawks name and logo by displaying it, but they choose not to do so. I realize that this may not be your decision. But I would like to know who makes this type of decision. It is REA Inc? Is it the Engelstad Foundation? Maybe it is you!! Just know that even that it may not seem like it, there are many UND fans out there that want the Ralph to be leading the way in the adoption of the Fighting Hawks name and logo. When the Ralph shows they are ashamed to do that, it is disappointing to say the least. Here was his response: We plan to use the North Dakota wordmark in both locations (center ice and center court) because we believe there are still two very entrenched groups of fans, those who have more enthusiastically embraced the new name and symbol and those who have not yet enthusiastically embraced the new name and symbol. We seek to utilize artwork that we believe continues to be universally accepted by fans in both the of the prominent center ice and center court locations. Simply stated, we believe the name and symbol remains a polarizing issue and we don’t seek to alienate those in either camp mentioned above. The decision on this matter rests with Ralph Engelstad Arena, not the Engelstad Family Foundation. Those are two different entities. Ralph Engelstad Arena is governed by an independent and separate Board of Directors from the Engelstad Family Foundation. It is an arena decision and a local decision. Ralph Engelstad Arena is not ashamed of the new name and symbol and we utilize the new name and symbol in a lot of different ways – and I should add an increasing number of ways. We utilize and will continue to utilize the new name and symbol in a lot of different ways. You are correct when you say that we are not leading the charge with regards to implementation of the new name and symbol. We try to balance out competing thoughts and competing interests as best we can. I realize that this isn’t fast enough for some and I understand that point of view. We are proud of UND and proud to be a part of the UND campus community. We are certainly not ashamed, but we do have a different opinion from those who seek to have us lead the charge. I hope this answers your questions. Thanks, Jody

It's not like I am making outrageous demands. Jut our new logo prominently displayed where literally every other college in the country displays it. In a time where UND is spending thousands of dollars on a re branding campaign, you would think that a great way to brand the new logo would be to display it at its 2 most attended venues. Not sure who is calling the shots on this decision, but it is definitely not UND.

Just for kicks, I decided to email Jody Hodgson regarding how the Fighting Hawks logo will be integrated in the new floor at the Betty and if there was a chance we would see it on the ice at the Ralph. Here is what I emailed him: Hello Mr Hodgson, I am curiuos as to how the Fighting Hawks logo will be integrated more at the Betty and at the Ralph. With the interlocking ND logo retired and UND joining the Summit League, I am wondering if the Fighting Hawks logo will be at center court when the floor is redone this summer for the upcoming 2018-2019 athletic school year. Also wondering if the Ralph is going to put the Fighting Hawks logo at center ice of the Ralph. The Sioux logo as well as the interlocking ND logo both looked great at center ice. But the "North Dakota" script just seems a little bland. Especially for a world class arena like the Ralph. I really hope to see the Fighting Hawks logo proudly displayed at the Betty and the Ralph at center court/ice this upcoming season. And here was he response: Thanks for the note. We continue to integrate the UND logo and brand in a number of different ways as we update the game presentation plan and facility during the off-season. You’ll see some new things in the Betty this year such as new artwork on team locker room doors, new LED scorer’s tables, new electronic designs on video boards and the new LED scorer’s tables, and new artwork on both the south and north walls of the venue. We’re also building in new game presentation elements in the Main Arena for the hockey games as well. The new UND mascot is also going to be used next season at home events, so that will certainly be a visible new piece of Fighting Hawks branding. The North Dakota wordmark text will be used at both center court and center ice next season. Thanks for your support and interest. Sincerely, Jody I have to say I am a little disappointed the "North Dakota" text will not only again be at center ice at the Ralph, but at center court at the Betty. It is unfortunate, and pathetic if you ask me, that the Ralph continues to reject the Fighting Hawks logo at all costs. They have an opportubnity to help UND promote the new logo but they choose not to do so.

REA was intended to be a gift that would benefit the University of North Dakota. And that has definitely been the case. But you can't deny that the REA has greatly benefited from UND holding their events there, mainly hockey. I think we would all be shocked if we knew the amount of money the Ralph was bringing in every year. The Ralph exists because of UND hockey. Engelstad Foundation built a world class stadium and UND hockey brings in the fans to pack the place out. Both parties need to realize that they benefit each other. Put stupid personal issues aside and do what is best for bothe the University and the Engelstad Foundation.

Repay? I thought all this money was a gift?!!!