"When UND President Charles Kupchella asked students to clean up their acts at sports events, the editor of the Dakota Student newspaper, Brenden Timpe, noted that poor sportsmanship "seems to be something that happens everywhere."

So, President Kupchella's call for better student sportsmanship shows he is a smart man who is aware of the trend and trying to head it off. Racial slurs, obscene gestures and the classless acts could escalate into something life-threatening.

Yet, I can't help thinking that when the state Board of Higher Education ruled to keep the "Fighting Sioux" mascot and logo, they also opened the door for disrespect at sporting events - disrespect such as racial slurs and obscene jeers. After all, it was disrespectful (and certainly not a show of honor) to ignore the requests of all the tribes in North Dakota and South Dakota that their name not be used as a nickname."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: Stop poor sportsmanship before it turns ugly (The Grand Forks Herald 2/7)

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