Source http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/14182373.htm
Petition seeks end to nickname
BY BRUCE BROTHERS
Pioneer Press
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A petition signed by more than 100 faculty members at the University of North Dakota asking that the university begin a "respectful process" to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname was submitted to the university system chancellor in February and became public this week.
Chancellor Robert Potts responded by mail to the group, saying state officials are looking into the matter, according to a report in the Grand Forks Herald.
The Fighting Sioux nickname and logo have been considered controversial for many years, and the NCAA originally decreed that teams with American Indian nicknames and mascots could not play host to NCAA postseason tournaments. The governing body of college sports later issued a waiver for North Dakota, which was awarded the NCAA West Regional men's hockey tournament several years ago.
When casino mogul and former Fighting Sioux player Ralph Engelstad donated $100 million for the hockey arena that bears his name, he said he would withdraw funding if the Sioux logo was eliminated.
The North Dakota board of higher education passed a resolution in 2001 that supported the school retaining the nickname.
Petition seeks end to nickname
BY BRUCE BROTHERS
Pioneer Press
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A petition signed by more than 100 faculty members at the University of North Dakota asking that the university begin a "respectful process" to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname was submitted to the university system chancellor in February and became public this week.
Chancellor Robert Potts responded by mail to the group, saying state officials are looking into the matter, according to a report in the Grand Forks Herald.
The Fighting Sioux nickname and logo have been considered controversial for many years, and the NCAA originally decreed that teams with American Indian nicknames and mascots could not play host to NCAA postseason tournaments. The governing body of college sports later issued a waiver for North Dakota, which was awarded the NCAA West Regional men's hockey tournament several years ago.
When casino mogul and former Fighting Sioux player Ralph Engelstad donated $100 million for the hockey arena that bears his name, he said he would withdraw funding if the Sioux logo was eliminated.
The North Dakota board of higher education passed a resolution in 2001 that supported the school retaining the nickname.