Univ. Of North Dakota Allowed To Sue NCAA Over Nickname

UND Looking To Reverse NCAA’s Ruling On Fighting Sioux Mascot

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education Thursday voted 8-0 to allow the Univ. of North Dakota (UND) “to pursue a lawsuit against the NCAA in the university’s bid to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname,” according to Bob Bergland of the GRAND FORKS HERALD. The NCAA ruled UND’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname and Indian head logo are hostile and abusive. North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said that his office “would represent the university in a lawsuit and then bill” the school. But he added those costs should “be paid for by private funds.” UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation Exec VP & CEO Tim O’Keefe said his group “would pick up the tab” (GRAND FORKS HERALD, 6/16). Stenehjem said that the lawsuit “would challenge the process that led to the NCAA’s policy” (WASHINGTON POST, 6/16).

FEATHERY TOUCH: The College of William & Mary, which previously won an NCAA appeal to use its Tribe nickname, is appealing the NCAA’s decision that the school’s logo, which includes two feathers, transforms the nickname “from one associated with togetherness, shared idealism and commitment to stereotypical references to Native Americans.” The school claims that the NCAA “has expanded the scope of the policy far beyond the mascots, names and imagery,” and is “seeking to judge ‘the environment they create’” (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 6/16).