"A sense of celebration seems to prevail in North Dakota in the wake of the Board of Higher Education's decision to sue about the Sioux nickname.

The vote was 8-0, after all, and that indicates a level of certainty and a sense of confidence.

These are not my feelings after the vote. Instead, I feel a sense of consternation and concern.

The concern is that North Dakota will be diminished by this lawsuit. Publicity about it will make us seem stiff-necked and mean-spirited.

Even if the NCAA's committee was self-righteous.

Even if its decision is political correctness run amok.

Even if the action was arbitrary.

Even if UND was singled out unfairly."

Get the Story:
MATTERS AT HAND: UND's nickname lawsuit could harm North Dakota (The Grand Forks Herald 6/18)

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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