Siouxperfan7

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?!!!

Maybe Hillsboro's logo debate is being handled a little better than others. You decide! http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/government-and-politics/4444603-hillsboro-picks-brand-opens-logo-contest

This is the only article I remember seeing regarding the logo in any sort of rankings or awards. #37 in the best new primary logos of 2016 according to some Chris Creamer guy. Yet again, another ones opinion. But it wasn't on the worst logos of 2016!! http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/12/22/2016-creamer-awards-best-and-worst-new-logos-of-the-year/

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but in 2030 UND will take sole ownership of the REA/Betty. Does this mean that they effectively own REA Inc? Meaning not only do they get ALL profits for UND games but also for other events in the Ralph as well? I guess I am confused by some posters on here saying that in 2030 the Ralph is going to go hell because UND won't be able to afford or won't want to maintain the upkeep of the arena(s). But UND will be getting 100% of all ticket sales, promotional revenue, concessions, etc. That is going to be a ton of new revenue if that is the case. Can someone verify this?

UND has no obligation to make these conversations public. Nor should they. Kennedy certainly could if he wanted too, but I am guessing all discussions with donors are private. McGarry has the right to publically talk about them, but is most likely leaving out all the details to fit her narrative. I doubt Kennedy wants to have him and UND throw the Engelstad Foundation under the bus over something that is a private matter. McGarry made it public.

So honest question. Take this logo and change "ULM" to "UND", "Warhawks" to "Fighting Hawks". and change the colors from maroon, gold, and white, to green, black, and white. Would people have been more accepting if this was our logo? Or would people have found a way to criticize it as well. Just curious.

Let me get this straight. Engelstad Foundation/REA Inc gets 52% of all ticket revenue at UND. Kennedy notices this and wants to negotiate something better. McGarry gets offended by Kennedy even bringing up the issue and complains to the Herald, and somehow Kennedy is the bad guy? Does that about sum it up?!!

Sic for the win!!!

It is possible that Kennedy asked the Engelstad Foundation to reinvest the excess money generated that is not allocated to anything to be reinvested in the REA and adjoining facilities. I don't think it's out of bounds to bring up the issue and talk about renegotiating the agreement with the Engelstad Foundation and UND. Apparently McGarry thought otherwise.

The Engelstad name isn't exactly the squeakiest of clean either.

And typically when you use the "control the narrative" strategy, there is a side to the story that you don't want people to know about.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/education/4444060-und-president-mark-kennedy-releases-statement-regarding-engelstad

Is Geno going to transfer from a team where he is arguably the best player to ride the pine on and Mountain West or MAC school??

If by "moved past the nickname/logo issue" you mean they have done nothing more than the bare minimum required by the NCAA and very little to promote the new name and logo...you are right on!

As UND has transitioned to a new Fighting Hawks moniker, McGarry said Kennedy has argued the arena's Fighting Sioux holdovers have created "brand confusion." "I feel as we got drug in, we got blamed for causing brand confusion," she said. "But the fact is we didn't change, the building stayed the same. ... Everything around us changed. We can only do what we can do in our space to be in accordance to the NCAA. We are going to obey the law and do what we have to do to have games and make revenue. We can't dig our heels in, but this whole revolution and change had a momentum of its own. It didn't have anything to do with us. We're there and somehow through the course of this, we become the nemesis of students, faculty and the sporting world." Gee, I wonder why they would be accused of "brand confusion?" Maybe because the REA has been dragging their feet the most in adopting the new Fighting Hawks name and logo. The Ralph could replace the neon logos outside the arena with the new logo. Adding more Fighting Hawks signage around the concourse would be an easy modification as well. And of course the most obvious change of putting the new logo at center ice. But they don't. Not meaning to turn this into a nickname discussion, but her statement saying that they aren't creating brand confusion could not be any more false. She admits they are basically doing the bare minimum appease the NCAA. But they are doing nothing to support the new name and logo.

That is right. Forgot that is a football/hockey day. Makes sense. Wondering about the Homecoming/Potato Bowl weekend. They moved that game back because of the parade. but wondering if they are going to have 2 parades that Saturday morning, Homecoming on campus and Potato Bowl downtown) or jsut have one combined parade. Or move the Homecoming parade to Friday night.

I think the biggest issue with McGarry is that she isn't dealing with pushover Presidents that UND has had in the past. As soon as someone questions her and wants to renegotiate in the interests of UND, she runs to the paper complaining about it. UND needs to treat all of its donars with respect. Whether they donate 10 dollars or 10 million. But expecting UND to do what you demand is something the McGarry expects is simply wrong.