Let me start by saying that I am the biggest supporter of the Sioux nickname and logo, and I was all for the state law that was introduced and passed last summer making the nickname and logo a North Dakota law. The problem is that the NCAA will not budge on the issue and the time has come to move on from this issue. Not just because of the damage this will do to the university’s athletic programs but because the damage this controversy will have on the UND student body and UND itself. Forcing UND to keep a nickname that will prevent UND football from joining the Big Sky Conference, and prevents the school from hosting home NCAA playoff games is a very damaging consequence. Teams like Minnesota and Wisconsin will be unable to schedule UND in hockey after next season when they go to the Big Ten Hockey Conference. Think about the effects this will have economically for UND and Grand Forks. This conflict has been going on for long enough; it is time for it to be over. The bottom line is it’s just a nickname and what is important is what is behind this nickname. UND has proudly represented the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the Sioux people for many years. The bottom line is this is about UND not anyone else or what they want. This has been blown up to be something that is entirely damaging to the university and no longer has UND’s best interests at heart. From a huge Sioux fan, please do the right thing if this goes to a state vote and please vote to get rid of the nickname. The future of UND and its athletics are depending on the right decision. This is not about what we want; this is about what is right for the University of North Dakota. Whether you love UND or even if you do not like UND, please remember this decision could potentially cause very serious damage to UND. To all those who signed that petition to put the nickname vote on the state ballot, I do hope you realize what it is you signed and that you know all the facts. The fact is the nickname HAS TO GO, it is the only reasonable decision. The NCAA is not bound by North Dakota State Law. I will take a quote from UND Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol, “Simply put, it will possibly diminish our hockey program slowly over time. In my opinion, it would be extremely damaging to all of our other sports on campus in the near future.” This is coming from a person who is probably the biggest supporter of the Sioux nickname and logo. It is time to be smart about this, and make the right decision.