NCAA To Sanction UND if School Does Not Adopt New Nickname

[Old Fella]

All it takes is for one person or school to complain to the NCAA about some fans wearing Fighting Sioux gear (which I will continue doing) to bring back the scrutiny and potentially bring back the sanctions. And there are still enough people at hockey games (home, away and at postseason tournaments) that wear the name and logo and voice their support for them to make this a potential pitfall in the future.

Sorry, thanks for playing, please play again.

Woe unto those who live in the 'wreckage of the future'.

[Benny Baker]

SCSU refused to recognize UND as the Fighting Sioux before the policy started by not printing their nickname and logo and not announcing their nickname at games. Minnesota and Wisconsin are part of the Big 10 who has a no NA nickname policy, you don't think there are people who won't protest at those games when droves of Sioux fans pack Mariucci, and the Kohl Center. Don't put anything past the NCAA, anti NA nickname groups or even media as you see the mess we are in now.

Well, since the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux no longer exists, that takes care of that!

[petey23]

All it takes is for one person or school to complain to the NCAA about some fans wearing Fighting Sioux gear (which I will continue doing) to bring back the scrutiny and potentially bring back the sanctions. And there are still enough people at hockey games (home, away and at postseason tournaments) that wear the name and logo and voice their support for them to make this a potential pitfall in the future.

Sorry, thanks for playing, please play again.

Um. We don't know that!

[fightingsioux4life]

Don't recall seeing anything about that either.  Again, whether or not there is a new nickname, the report from UND's office was that if other schools complain, the NCAA would investigate, and it might, might result in sanctions.

If the anti-no nickname crowd actually cared about UND like they allege they do, they should make a bigger effort to stomp out the use of Fighting Sioux at UND games regardless of a new nickname. 

Instead, we have people like fightingsioux4life, who obviously cares nothing about UND, and says he's going to continue to wear Fighting Sioux gear at UND games regardless of what the NCAA says.  If sanctions occur, I guess I know where to point the finger!

Look junior, don't EVER question my loyalty to this institution. I went to school there, I work there and I have been following ALL our programs for years. I also am a Coaches Club member and season ticket holder for men's hockey and football. I also make it to an occasional basketball game here and there (both men and women). My credentials are solid as a rock. So please don't make this personal, there is no need to.

Also, you misrepresented what the NCAA said about this. Basically, they told us that if we choose a new nickname and logo, it wouldn't matter what people wore to games or what they said at games. BUT....and this is what you guys like to ignore.....if we go without a nickname and logo and other schools complain about our fans continuing to use the old name and logo at athletic events, then sanctions might be back on the table because the NCAA might believe that the Fighting Sioux name and logo have become the "unofficial name and logo" of UND, thus still creating a "hostile and abusive" (their views, not mine) environment for coaches, student-athletes and fans.

That is enough of a threat for me to want us to choose a new name and logo and put all this behind us.

And, if sanctions occur, I will be pointing the finger at YOU and your ilk.

End Rant.

[petey23]

SCSU refused to recognize UND as the Fighting Sioux before the policy started by not printing their nickname and logo and not announcing their nickname at games. Minnesota and Wisconsin are part of the Big 10 who has a no NA nickname policy, you don't think there are people who won't protest at those games when droves of Sioux fans pack Mariucci, and the Kohl Center. Don't put anything past the NCAA, anti NA nickname groups or even media as you see the mess we are in now.

I realize you are an interested observer(i.e., non-alum, non-student, non-stakeholder, non-faculty) in UND's Name and as such you should do a little less typing and a lot more reading and observing. Thank you now.

[Benny Baker]

Look junior, don't EVER question my loyalty to this institution. I went to school there, I work there and I have been following ALL our programs for years. I also am a Coaches Club member and season ticket holder for men's hockey and football. I also make it to an occasional basketball game here and there (both men and women). My credentials are solid as a rock. So please don't make this personal, there is no need to.

Also, you misrepresented what the NCAA said about this. Basically, they told us that if we choose a new nickname and logo, it wouldn't matter what people wore to games or what they said at games. BUT....and this is what you guys like to ignore.....if we go without a nickname and logo and other schools complain about our fans continuing to use the old name and logo at athletic events, then sanctions might be back on the table because the NCAA might believe that the Fighting Sioux name and logo have become the "unofficial name and logo" of UND, thus still creating a "hostile and abusive" (their views, not mine) environment for coaches, student-athletes and fans.

That is enough of a threat for me to want us to choose a new name and logo and put all this behind us.

And, if sanctions occur, I will be pointing the finger at YOU and your ilk.

End Rant.

Eh, move along.

[fightingsioux4life]

If you're so scared about the possibility of sanctions against UND then you wouldn't wear Fighting Sioux clothes to a UND game.  So you either aren't really scared about the possibility of sanctions against UND or you don't care about UND.

Oh, and by the way, move along.

You are misrepresenting the issue here (as usual). The NCAA said, not in so many words, that if we chose a new name and logo, it wouldn't matter what people did at games. But if we continue as "UND/North Dakota" and people start complaining again (which they probably will; B.R.I.D.G.E.S. immediately comes to mind), then they will investigate us for possible sanctions. Learn to read between the lines, it really helps when you are trying to figure out what organizations like the NCAA really mean.

[fightingsioux4life]

Eh, move along.

Eh yourself.

[Benny Baker]

You are misrepresenting the issue here (as usual). The NCAA said, not in so many words, that if we chose a new name and logo, it wouldn't matter what people did at games. But if we continue as "UND/North Dakota" and people start complaining again (which they probably will; B.R.I.D.G.E.S. immediately comes to mind), then they will investigate us for possible sanctions. Learn to read between the lines, it really helps when you are trying to figure out what organizations like the NCAA really mean.

cool story, bro.

[fightingsioux4life]

cool story, bro.

If you want to trust the NCAA, go right on ahead. I for one will not put anything past them.

[darell1976]

I realize you are an interested observer(i.e., non-alum, non-student, non-stakeholder, non-faculty) in UND's Name and as such you should do a little less typing and a lot more reading and observing. Thank you now.

So this board is just for alums students and faculty. That goes along with the Bison fan that would make fun of me for being a UND fan because I didn't attend the school (only those who attend can be fans). So I need to not type anything because being a die hard UND fan (I'n wearing a Sioux shirt as I type this) a Grand Forks resident from the time I was born (1976) until I moved to Fargo (1999) and athletic supporter since I buy game tickets and UND gear, I should just get off the board....well tough.

[Benny Baker]

If you want to trust the NCAA, go right on ahead. I for one will not put anything past them.

And yet, you openly wear Fighting Sioux gear to UND sporting events despite knowing that the NCAA has threatened sanctions if schools complain about fans wearing Fighting Sioux gear to UND sporting events.  I mean, you wouldn't put that or "anything" past the NCAA, right?

Too bad you're not looking out for UND's interests like me and the rest of us.

[CMSioux]

Back away from the ledge - now the discussion is that fans can't wear FIghting Sioux clothing to away games? And the thought is that there would be a big enough complaint from host schools that the NCAA would take action - now that's just frickin ridiculous. What if I wear a shirt that has an eagle feather on it?  

[fightingsioux4life]

And yet, you openly wear Fighting Sioux gear to UND sporting events despite knowing that the NCAA has threatened sanctions if schools complain about fans wearing Fighting Sioux gear to UND sporting events.  I mean, you wouldn't put that or "anything" past the NCAA, right?

Too bad you're not looking out for UND's interests like me and the rest of us.

You are committing a lie of omission. IF WE PICK A NEW NAME, then Fighting Sioux won't be looked at as an "unofficial" name. That is all we need to do to put this to bed. PICK A NEW NAME. But you and others on here are more interested in sticking a finger in the eye of the NCAA and the others that forced this change.

Four words for the "UND/North Dakota" camp: Don't poke the bear.

[Siouxperfan7]

Sanctions only apply if no nickname is selected and UND goes by just "North Dakota".  If UND picks a new nickname, wear all the Fighing Sioux stuff you want and yell all the Sioux chants you want.  NCAA can't do anything because UND has selected a new name.  UND can't control people embracing the new name.  

[darell1976]

Sanctions only apply if no nickname is selected and UND goes by just "North Dakota".  If UND picks a new nickname, wear all the Fighing Sioux stuff you want and yell all the Sioux chants you want.  NCAA can't do anything because UND has selected a new name.  UND can't control people embracing the new name.  

Please don't use facts the no nickname crowd doesn't like that.

[Benny Baker]

You are committing a lie of omission. IF WE PICK A NEW NAME, then Fighting Sioux won't be looked at as an "unofficial" name. That is all we need to do to put this to bed. PICK A NEW NAME. But you and others on here are more interested in sticking a finger in the eye of the NCAA and the others that forced this change.

Four words for the "UND/North Dakota" camp: Don't poke the bear.

If you want to trust the NCAA, go right on ahead. I for one will not put anything past them.

Have it both ways then.  But considering what the NCAA has said, and that you wouldn't put "anything" past them, I just question why you would risk the future of UND athletics--that is, unless you don't care about the future of UND athletics.

[Benny Baker]

Please don't use facts the no nickname crowd doesn't like that.

Right!  Instead, extrapolate the minuscule amount of hearsay we've heard to support the position of the anti-UND/North Dakota crowd!

[Fetch]

Go Nodaks 

Or Sundogs if ND Does not get back on the vote

I bet Kelly is just waiting to just implement Sundogs & not even have a vote

[fightingsioux4life]

Have it both ways then.  But considering what the NCAA has said, and that you wouldn't put "anything" past them, I just question why you would risk the future of UND athletics--that is, unless you don't care about the future of UND athletics.

I was responding to your comment that not having a nickname wouldn't be a problem at all. If we pick a new name, the NCAA won't bother us; they basically would have gotten everything they wanted back on August 5th, 2005. But if we don't pick a new name, then they will have all the opening they need to slap us down again.

[fightingsioux4life]

Go Nodaks 

Or Sundogs if ND Does not get back on the vote

I bet Kelly is just waiting to just implement Sundogs & not even have a vote

Kelley will not pick Sundogs. He will want to avoid any major uproar from the fans and the community. He'll pick Roughriders because that will be acceptable to a lot of people, even the Fighting Sioux Hardliners.

[Benny Baker]

Go Nodaks 

Or Sundogs if ND Does not get back on the vote

I bet Kelly is just waiting to just implement Sundogs & not even have a vote

He'll probably just name UND the "Robert Kelley's" as his last act in office.

[petey23]

He'll probably just name UND the "Robert Kelley's" as his last act in office.

HEY! I think you stumbled onto something.

UND Kelly. Just like the Stanford Cardinal.

We can then pick anything we want for a mascot and logo. Give me the night to think about this.

Nice Work Benny!

 

[zonadub]

He'll probably just name UND the "Robert Kelley's" as his last act in office.

HEY! I think you stumbled onto something.

UND Kelly. Just like the Stanford Cardinal.

We can then pick anything we want for a mascot and logo. Give me the night to think about this.

Nice Work Benny!

 

it may be 4 1/2 months later, but Benny, petey and I finally found something to agree on (though Benny will contend that I don't fully comprehend the meaning and depth of his position because he used "Robert" and I used "Green"   )

 

So you're sayin' that Northern Lights is too good a name for Kelly & co to come up with. So maybe he will want it to be the UND Kelly Green. 

[Teeder11]

This just in:

 

UND announces nickname voting process and dates

University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley has announced the details of the voting process for determining final selection of a nickname for UND’s athletics teams.

The voting process, which will be conducted completely online, will take place in mid-October and will extend for approximately one week. Precise dates will be announced later.  Voting will be open to the following groups:

 

·         Current UND Students

·         Current UND Faculty

·         Current UND Staff

·         UND Retirees

·         UND Alumni

·         UND Donors (including Champions Club members) (one vote per account)

·         Current season ticket holders to UND athletic events (one vote per account)

In order to be eligible to vote, individuals must be a UND retiree; a current faculty or staff member; a currently-enrolled student as of Sept. 30, 2015; or a donor or season ticket holder as of Aug. 31, 2015.

Shortly before the voting period begins, eligible voters will receive an email with voting instructions.  Current UND students, faculty and staff will receive the emails at their UND (UND.edu) email address. Alumni, donors, retirees and all current season ticket holders must confirm their emails through a  process that will be communicated soon.  Eligible voters who fall into more than one of the above categories—such as a staff member who is also an alumnus—may only vote once, and any identified multiple votes will be voided. 

The online voting process will be conducted by Qualtrics, a third-party survey technology provider with more than 7,000 customers in 75 countries.  In 2014, Qualtrics customers sent over one billion surveys worldwide.

During the voting process, eligible voters will cast one vote for a single option on the ballot.  Eligible voters will choose one of five nickname options:

Fighting Hawks

Nodaks

North Stars

Roughriders

Sundogs

If any of the proposed nicknames receives a majority of more than 50 percent of the votes, that name will be determined to be the new nickname for the University of North Dakota. 

In the event that no single nickname receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff vote will be held between the two top vote-getters shortly after the initial vote. 

Said UND President Robert Kelley:  “In deciding the final list of names to include in the final vote, I have reviewed the recommendations of the Nickname Committee, the additional input received from a recent student poll, and input from many other individual students (including student athletes), faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have contacted me.  I have considered all this input carefully and, in determining the final voting list, have concluded that it is in the best long-term interest of the University not to use ‘North Dakota’ as the University’s official nickname.”

President Kelley added, “As I have noted many times, North Dakota is not a nickname—it is a reflection of our pride in who we are.  We have been North Dakota—UND—for more than 130 years, and we always will be.  The Nickname Committee has delivered a list of five prospective nicknames with the potential to add value to our already-existing North Dakota identity and evoke the pride and spirit that we all feel for our University and our State.  I respect and support the process the Committee used, and the extensive public input they gathered.  In making this decision, I also respect their final recommendations.”

President Kelley also received extensive input concerning the people who should be involved in the voting process.  One important consideration in the decision is the importance of verifying voter identity to prevent fraud.  Each eligible voter’s identity and connection to UND will be confirmed.

Even more importantly, noted President Kelley, “We have appreciated the opportunity this past year to gather feedback and ensure representation from all interested parties across the state and across the country.  This was accomplished through broad stakeholder representation on the two teams that worked on this process.  It was also accomplished by gathering feedback from last fall's town hall meetings, an online survey, and the month-long nickname comment process conducted by the Nickname Committee this past April. It is now time to allow the final step of this process to be undertaken by those individuals with the most direct ties to UND—students, alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, donors, and season ticket holders.”  

Information About Email Delivery of Voting Instructions

Eligible voters will soon receive voting instructions.  While students, faculty and staff will already have a confirmed means of identification through their UND email (UND.edu), retirees, alumni, donors and current season ticket holders will need to ensure that their emails are current in their respective databases in order to be able to vote.  The weeks prior to the vote will allow these groups the opportunity to do that.

Current season ticket holders (non-Champions Club):  Contact the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office at 701.777.0855 between the hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, or email tickets@theralph.com  any time between now and October 1, 2015 to ensure that your correct email is on file.  

UND alumni, retirees, and donors: Additional information will soon be sent explaining how to confirm email addresses.  For alumni, this information will be sent via the Alumni Review and through a direct mail.

--30--

Peter B. Johnson

Executive Associate Vice President 
Media Relations Coordinator/Community Relations Officer

Public Relations Group

Division of University and Public Affairs

264 Centennial Drive Stop 7144

Grand Forks, ND 58202-7144

 

701.777.4317 | 701.740.5398 cell | 701.777.4616 fax

Peter.johnson@UND.edu

UND.edu

US, AV