Anyone see this?

[Goon]

Yeah this isn't going to happen. If it was why would be speeding up the dead line to get Tribal support? Nothing like letting the facts get in the way when you write a blog post.

Or even this year. Back in April, The Summit League announced USD as its 11th member. There was no word on team number 12, however. Logically, you'd think that UND would be the perfect addition, considering the presence of the other three main Dakota schools.

However, one major factor stands in the way of the Fighting Sioux's entry, their very nickname. The Summit League will not consider UND's application for admission until the nickname issue is resolved. In May, the North Dakota Board of Higher Education voted for the nickname to be retired if the school couldn't get a 30-year agreement on its use from two Sioux tribes before October 1. The Spirit Lake Sioux have approved, for now. while the Standing Rock Sioux have yet to make a decision. The nickname decision could also have a major impact on UND's hockey program, which plays in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Engelstad threatened to pull funding for the arena when the topic of a nickname change came up in 2000, and the building currently features thousands of images of the Fighting Sioux logo.

Complicating matters for UND is the fact that they aren't the only school attempting to become the Summit's 12th member institution. Utah Valley, another Great West member, has a good chance because they solve one of the conference's longstanding issues, Southern Utah's travel partner. The league could also divide into two six-team divisions just as easily with the UVU's entry as they would with UND.

South Dakota will enter the Summit for the 2011-12 academic year. North Dakota may be able to join them on that timeline if they get their nickname issue resolved quickly. If it's not, they could be looking at an extended stay in the Great West or return to Divsion 2.

However, all may not be lost for UND if things drag out. Centenary College in Shreveport, one of the more far-flung members in the Summit, is considering a move to Division III, thanks to the economy and a lack of viable Division I conference options.

[blogging the Bracket]