"For many reasons, I believe UND should change its nickname. One of these reasons has to do with the seemingly naive idea of being “true to the game.”

Being an ex-athlete and a perpetual fan, I never would have thought being “true to the game” was real until I read the “Sacred Hoops” by Phil Jackson, UND’s most successful sports alum.

I grew up elsewhere, knowing nothing about North Dakota, big snow, big sky or big hockey. What I did know was watching sports — particularly pro basketball.

Reading this book makes me think “true to the game” is real. What’s more, it doesn’t just mean “true to the game” within the game. It means off the court, too.

Respect on the court of teammates and opponents; respect off the court of other people’s governmental representatives.

A people’s tribal government has spoken repeatedly. Applied to the logo issue, “true to the game” should mean real cooperation, real belief in respect and real regard for others’ emotions."

Get the Story:
Stuart Rieke: ‘True to the game’ means giving up the nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 3/7)
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More Stories:
Nickname prompts two petitions (The Grand Forks Herald 3/7)
Engelstads behind Sioux scholarship gift (The Fargo Forum 3/9)

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