Benny Baker

Since Lucia and UMN have had a noncomittal stance regarding UND hockey ever since the BTHC conference was created, don't assume this is entirely a nickname issue. The Gophers are committed to playing Notre Dame for four years. Why didn't UMN sign up to play North Dakota after we all thought the nickname controversy was over? It'll be interesting to see everyone's reactions when UND changes the name back to nothing and the school is still not playing the gophers in hockey. And no, their is nothing to prevent other schools from adopting this position, but I'm not going to assume that the 350 Division 1 schools in existance are all going to collectively adopt this same position. Remember Al Carlson was wrong in his assumption that the state law would change the NCAA's stance. Losing hockey rivalries will be unfortunate. But UND may lose those regardless of the nickname. Other than that, screw Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Big Sky is infinitely more important.

God forbid North Dakota doesn't get to play Iowa and Minnesota in athletics. It'll be the end of UND's athletic program as we know it. Who is going to take UMN and Iowa's place since they've been yearly opponents and supporters of UND's program for so long . . . oh, wait . . . I think UND will be just fine not playing institutions that they've haven't played in decades. The bigger issue is conference affiliation.

The Constitution makes the SBOHE autonomous? Don't think so. Would it be unconstitutional for the legislature to decide the name of UND's hockey arena? Would it be unconstitutional for the legislature to choose the language proficiency of UND's faculty, too?