The president of the University of North Dakota is preparing for a lawsuit over the school's controversial "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo.

The NCAA has placed UND on its list of schools with hostile and abusive mascots. Two appeals have been rejected.

UND President Charles Kupchella says it's time for a lawsuit. In a draft letter to the NCAA that was given to the Board of Higher Education, he says the mascot policy has been ineffective -- even though several schools have eliminated their Indian imagery and others have gone to tribes to seek approval.

"Perhaps the most amazing thing is that through all of this, except for stirring things up, you have accomplished nothing," the draft states, according to the Associated Press.

Kupchella plans to meet with the state board next week to discuss a lawsuit. The board's newest member is Charles Murphy, the former chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Get the Story:
UND president: Self-righteous NCAA deserves lawsuit (AP 6/8)

NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Staff Decision on Fighting Sioux:
Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on University of North Dakota Review(September 28, 2005)

NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com
North Dakota Board of Higher Education - http://www.ndus.nodak.edu/sbhe
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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