Tweets from the Nickname Committee Meeting

Carla Christofferson notes majority of public wanted North Dakota as nickname but says many are just mad about Sioux logo retirement.

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 16, 2015

First, woof. I think that is a broad statement that's a bit shortsighted. There are some, yes. I think some of the nicknames that have emerged are so bad, they would rather stay "North Dakota" instead of adopting a really bad, God awful nickname like Sundogs, Pride or Spirit. I find those nicknames to be unacceptable.

"I think North Dakota is distinctly UND," - #newnickname committee member Adedayo Idowu, who is middle of the road with the name.

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 16, 2015

"Saying we're going to be North Dakota to me means saying we're going to stay the #FightingSioux."-#newnickname committee, Chelsea Moser

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 16, 2015

If you want to read her tweets, Anna Burleson from the Grand Forks Herald is at the Nickname Committee Meeting tonight. She's been on top the story from the start.

A couple of things have caught my eye tonight. Also after reading some of the tweets, I am convinced UND is going to get he nickname that Lowell Schweigert wants.

#Newnickname committee member Jazmyn Friesz talks developing different logo & mascot to accompany staying "North Dakota."

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 15, 2015

On keeping North Dakota, Lowell Schweigert says "what is popular is not always right." Encourages group to "have courage." #newnickname

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 15, 2015

#Newnickname committee chairman Karl Goehring isn't in favor of any "hawk" name while Lowell Schweigert likes them.

— Anna Burleson (@AnnagatorB) June 15, 2015

UND Nickname Committee Cuts Nickname List to 15

There are the 15 nicknames under consideration to be UND's new nickname. If you're holding your nose, you're not the only one. If fans are in favor of the nickname that you like on this list, be vocal. 

I highlighted the ones that I think are acceptable. Copyright the Whistler. 

I puzzled that the committee decided to get rid of anything that points UND's aviation school. That makes no sense to me what-so-ever.

Thank God for Karl Goehring...
Continuing to play simply as "North Dakota" is still an option. Goehring said in his experience with the last task force, many alumni were in favor of it.

• Blaze - I am surprised that this is still an option. Obvious reasons. Blaze up.
• Cavalry - Here comes your 7th Cavalry.
• Explorers - Boring.
• Fighting Green - I would rather be Green Machine.
• Fighting Hawks - Maybe this can grow on me.
• Force - We already have the Fargo Force.
• Green Hawks - Drop the "Green" and sure.
• Nodaks - Redundant. I think I am quoting Charlie from Hockey Bias now.
• North Dakota - Number one choice. 
• North Stars - Second choice. 
• Pride - Bad nickname.
• Roughriders - We already have a high school with that name.
• Spirit - Dumb.
• Sundogs - Even dumber. I might have a stroke.
• Thunder Hawk - Whatever. 

Picking a Nickname Won't End the Discussion

First, there's about four months will UND's fall sports kick off the 2015-16 season. For those keeping track on the calendar, UND plays a football game against the Wyoming Cowboys in 120 days. The question is, what will UND's sports teams be referred to when next season rolls around?

Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald kind of reinforced an opinion that has picked up steam since UND dropped the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald -- There were roughly 2,000 submissions—about 50 pages worth—of people suggesting "North Dakota," "UND," "University of North Dakota," "no nickname," "none," or another variation.

This is an option that should get heavy consideration from the university's Nickname Committee and President Robert Kelley for multiple reasons.

Last month, the Committee laid out criteria for the new name, saying that the main priority is that it promotes a sense of pride and passion, that it is distinctly UND's and that it is a unifying and rallying symbol.

At this point in time, it's hard to believe they can pick anything that will be unifying and rallying. A new nickname is much more likely to creative a divide on campus and among the alumni community. That's not something the school and community needs right now.

One opinion that I keep hearing, UND needs to have a nickname for marketing purposes. Really, I don't see why? In hockey, UND already is a big player on the national stage and is well recognized. The Women's hockey team is quickly getting there as well. I just don't buy it. UND has played without a nickname for three years already.

As an Alumnus of UND, I am very worried that the nickname committee will feel pressured to hurry up and pick a nickname. This is how we will end up with a silly nickname like Sundogs or Flickertails.

"Stick with UND" (so everyone can keep calling them Sioux) http://t.co/g29kAUZvO8 Not the answer.

— SiouxFootballInsider (@SiouxFootball) May 6, 2015

What would you find more marketable, a Richardson Ground Squire or North Dakota? Check out exhibit A. That's a rodent, where do I start? That looks like the mascot of one of our rivals. Yuck! That mascot would cause UND to be the butt of many jokes.

Now if we're looking for good nickname choices, this is one that I could get behind. Introducing Reapers or Grim Reapers.

Finally, selecting a nickname probably isn't going to end the debate. I predict, that things will only get more heated when UND finally decides on a nickname. This matter has been festering for years. It's not going to end here this summer.

You're dreaming if you think it will.

People are still going to yell Sioux at the end of the anthem. It's going to happen. Nothing is going to change that.  There are going to be people that will be unhappy with the final product.

UND Nickname Suggestion Released

The UND Nick Name Committee has released its names of that will be up for consideration.

Here are the more popular choices. There are some creative nickname suggestions. 

Here's the link to the nicknames under considerations. 

Aviators

BLIZZARD

Cavalry

Explorers

Flames

Nodaks

North Dakota (by far the most popular)

North Stars

Tsunami

Warriors

Here’s the list of nicknames that aren’t going to be suggested 

President Kelly Praised for His Stand on Retiring Logo in Performance Rating

s/t to Rob Port of sayanythingblog.com -- Here's UND President, Rob Kelly's most recent performance evaluation . Check out the comments by his evaluator, North Dakota Chancellor, Larry Skogen. These comments will definitely rub some UND fans the wrong way. 

You can find the whole evaluation at this link.

Doesn't look like the leadership is looking at the no nickname option.

Again, most of us realize that the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and that it's not coming back. But a lot of people in high places of higher education are out of touch with reality and these comments smack of elitism.  Feel free to argue if you want.

Redwing77 Unsolicited Opinion on the Nickname Debate

I thought about posting this as a comment to the SayAnythingBlog post on this site, but I think it would be better if all the "hate" that might come from my opinion be posted in the comment section below rather than in Goon's article.

My opinion is this:  The "no nickname" cabal will fail.  I don't know how soundly it would fail, but it will fail.

Why?

Because, as offensive and insensitive as it sounds, those who opposed the nickname for years were marginalized and now they've tasted power.  Now, their opinion matters and to put it bluntly, those who spent their time as activists in this crusade no longer have it as a crusade.  In other words, they got their way.  What is an activist who gets their way?  Not sure, but they're no longer an activist.  If they're not an activist, then they'll sooner or later be ignored once again as they've got what they wanted and they should just "shut up and move on" themselves.  This. cannot. be.

So, the activists find a new banner to wave.  And here it is, ladies and gentlemen:

No new nickname means the inference of the old one.

In other words, we're not replacing Fighting Sioux with a new nickname, so people can still fill in the blank.  It sounds ridiculous (because it is), but I truly feel that's what they'll argue.  We've already seen it with the call of those same activists to ban all Fighting Sioux memorabilia and gear from Campus and Campus events (including home hockey games).

Since the PC crowd now has societal control, the only viable option to keep UND out of the PR nightmare that has owners being forced to sell teams because of one stupid epithet (even if it is illegally obtained and reprehensible in nature), financial outpourings due to some imagined or wrongly interpreted transgression is to create a new altogether different nickname.  One that preferrably refers to an inanimate object (like a Sabre) or fictional being (like a Dragon) or some sort of action word (like Crushers) or force (like Lightning or Thunder).

So, the good news is that we may not be the Flickertails, but we will be "something."  And what it is will be the least of all evils via politically motivated nonsense.  In otherwords, the option no one really likes but doesn't overly object to it enough for UND to lose that much money.

Sure, I'd support wholeheartedly the no nickname cabal, but I do so knowing that, in all likelihood, it will not succeed.

Related articles

• Sayanythingblog: 'No Name Is Best Way To Move On'(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Sayanythingblog: 'No Name Is Best Way To Move On'

Hum, I and many have been saying this for a very long time. Nice to see SayAnythingBlog.com get on board. Actually, it doesn't hurt that North Dakota's most popular political blog is behind this. Say Anything gets hundreds of thousands of hits every month.

Let me be clear, I understand the Fighting Sioux nickname isn't coming back. That's obvious to most of us. But that being said, nothing the nickname committee comes up with -- as far as  a nickname goes -- is going to be acceptable to many UND fans. Me included.

I am also not that thrilled with some of the possible replacement names that have been thrown out there. First, I am going to snap if UND's sports teams are called the Sun Dogs, what a stupid name.

Legit Slater, Sayanythingblog.com --- That solution is simple– stay North Dakota. No new nickname needed.

This is not a new idea. Indeed it has been one floated by people who are both for and against the Fighting Sioux name before. But it is starting to crecendo more and more as this taskforce does their work, and UND’s self-imposed deadline of end of December looms.

Why is that? Well, perhaps because it just makes sense. What has been missing from this debate since inception has been a sincere attempt to find a win-win for all. In order to “move on” — to truly heal, that win-win has to be realized.

What is important to some is the Fighting Sioux name is not used by UND, and this would be achieved with no replacement. What is important to others is the proud name “Fighting Sioux”, and the 80 plus years of heritage that went with it, is not erased. This solution does that.

A few (including our lawmakers on the Appropriations Committees no doubt) are concerned with the expense UND will incur with changing their branding to a new name and logo. No new name completely addresses that concern.

Some want to make sure UND still has a name to be proud of. If we all (regardless of our feeling on the Fighting Sioux name) can’t be proud of the name of our own state, then no other name exists which we can be proud of.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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UPDATE: More on the Nickname Task Force

The Grand Forks Herald has updated their article from earlier today and this caught my eye. I guess, I am all for slowing down picking the name, too. Makes sense to me.

Jennifer Johnson, Grand Forks Herald -- Last month, UND Athletics Director Brian Faison said that he didn’t anticipate changes to the nickname affecting game attendance, and merchants have continued to sell their stockpiles of Fighting Sioux merchandise.

State Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, said at that time he anticipated the university’s progress toward a new nickname would be slow because of his plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session. It would extend the waiting time the university has to choose a new nickname by 2½ years.

He wasn’t concerned the university would pick a new name ahead of his legislation.

“It’s not something they’re going to be able to put together in January and pick a name, I would think,” he’d said then.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald, 'UND moving gingerly toward a new nickname'

Matt Greene with the Cup

Former University of North Dakota defensman Matt Greene brought the Stanley Cup back to Grand Forks, ND. There was a lot of people on hand today to see the Stanley Cup today.

As you can see from the pictures, the Stanley Cup is a very large trophy. It was a classy move by the former Fighting Sioux defenseman to bring the cup to Grand Forks.

Former captain Matt Greene and a special friend chat with @UNDMHockey radio voice Tim Hennessy. pic.twitter.com/ZJTgm0mXcC
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) August 12, 2014

Grand Forks Herald, 'UND moving gingerly toward a new nickname'

#111873018 / gettyimages.com

I would have commented on this story earlier, but I have been on vacation and I just finished up a project that I was working on.

So it begins. We knew that this day was coming. I am leery, and I am also worried that my favorite college teams are going to end up with a stupid nickname that none of us can really embrace. My head is going to explode "if" UND becomes the Sun Dogs.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald -- UND is allowed by law to pick a new moniker after January 2015, but after several racially charged incidents on campus, President Robert Kelley has been pressured to take concrete steps and move away from the Fighting Sioux nickname.

“In the minds of many, many people it’s still an issue, it’s still problematic, and I understand that,” Kelley said in May. “I’m not blind to it and I get it. But it is retired officially, so now we’ve got the next step.”

This next step will mean consulting with stakeholders — students, children, residents, faculty, staff and alumni — and laying out the steps the university will take in picking a new nickname.

“We don’t have a process yet but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process,” UND spokesman Peter Johnson said.

I also don’t know if the legislature will be able to extend the deadline to 2017, that will be a story all by itself. If UND can’t be the Fighting Sioux, which they can't, I would rather have no nickname at all. The past season, having no nickname, at all, kind of grew on me. I do like the fact the alumni are going to be part of the process in picking the new nickname. Now, lets just hope the right alumni are selected.

Related articles

• NDSU won't play UND until nickname situation is resolved
• UND alumni groups plan campaign for nickname retirement
• Letter from the NCAA to UND

Zane Gothberg is going Camping with the Bruins

Joe Haggerty of CSNNE had this to say about UND goalie Zane Gothberg who's going to the Boston Bruins development camp. Notice, Haggerty referred to the University of North Dakota as the Fighting Sioux.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE.Com --- Zane Gothberg – Goaltender, 2010 sixth round pick (165th overall): Gothberg helped lead the University of North Dakota to the Frozen Four, and set a school record with his .926 save percentage last season. The longtime development camp attendee should be one of the standouts after his 1.99 goals against average and three shutouts in 33 games for the Fighting Sioux last season.

B's ready to welcome plenty of hockey promise to development camp. Here's a rundown on 23-player roster http://t.co/aoBGbrxHfO #BruinsTalk
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) July 8, 2014

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• Z is for Zane (Gothberg)
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L.A. Kings D-Man Matt Greene Interviewed After The Game, Milbury Gives Him Props

Former Fighting Sioux and current L.A. Kings D-man Matt Greene is the epitome of a hockey warrior. Greene’s eye has about eight different colors, at least, if not more. With Greene in the lineup, the Kings have an 11-7 (.611) record and a 3-3 record without him in the lineup. Coincidence, I don’t know?

Vote for T.J. Oshie in the TSN Play of the Year

You can vote for former Fighting Sioux and current St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie against Philadelphia Flyer forward Claude Giroux for TSN's Play of the Year. Here's the link for voting.

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Frozen Four: Zach Parise predicts UND win

Former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise predicts a 4-2 , Fighting Sioux victory over the Gophers. With an empty net goal, no doubt.

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Calgary Flames: Corban Knight wins it for Calgary in the Shootout

GOOD KNIGHT!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 15, 2014

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight has played six games in his NHL career and he's starting to make an impact, albeit playing fourth-line minutes. Tonight, Knight scored the winning shootout goal for the Flames

“@NHLFlames: Didn't catch the #CGYDAL shootout? Have no fear, we've got your back (VIDEO) ~ http://t.co/DeGcwKBaa1”
— Kai (superman) (@KaiKnightTurcan) March 15, 2014

Calgary Flames: Corban Knight scores is first NHL Goal. (Video)

Congratulation to Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight, who scored his first NHL goal of his career, in his fifth NHL game. Knight played on the Flames fourth line logging a total of 9:39 tonight. If you look at the Flames roster, you will see a nice representation of former college hockey players. 

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Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise tell the Injury Ninja to kiss off

#MNwild lines in warm ups: Parise-Koivu-Coyle Niederreiter-Haula-Pominville Heatley-Brodziak-Zucker Cooke-Konopka-Mitchell
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 29, 2013

Apparently, former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise has a very high tolerance to pain and will be playing in tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Originally, Parise was slated to be out 2-3 weeks. This is good news for the Minnesota Wild.

Parise on line rushes w first line. Haula centering line 2. Fontaine indeed the scratch if Parise feels he can go, which he does :) #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 29, 2013

Related articles

• Zach Parise's Injury Scare in St. Louis (thehockeywriters.com)
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NCAA Hypocrisy? Does anyone see anything wrong here?

Dear @NCAA @espn Tell me again how Fighting Sioux is "Hostile and Abusive" and THIS isn't? #DoubleStandard #UND #FSU http://t.co/VAOKA9lmb7
— JRoads ™ (@JRoadsreal) October 22, 2013

Ah what the heck... Does anyone see anything wrong here? A white person dressed up like a Native American. Yet the Fighting Sioux nickname is offensive? Give me a break. I know that FSU has tribal support, but what is more offensive? I had a sociology professor in graduate school that said Native American mascots were a red face minstrel. Maybe this is what he was talking about? I am not against Native American nicknames, but this is ridculous.

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UND Hockey: Through These Doors nominated for Upper Midwest Regional Emmy

Congrats to the boys... @eric_classen http://t.co/SvsvPGJ6UU @davidfolske @mattschill @UNDSID
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) August 26, 2013

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Through These Doors, the student-produced series that takes viewers insider the locker room of the University of North Dakota men’s hockey program, has been nominated for a 2013 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy.

It is one of six nominees in the Best Sports Program Series category. Other nominees include the Minnesota Wild Hockey Club’s Becoming Wild, Midco Sports Network’s Midco Sports Magazine, and FOX Sports North’s Vikings GamePlan, Wild Live and Woog Remembers.

Through These Doors premiered during the 2011-12 season and offered UND fans unprecedented access to one of the most storied programs in NCAA hockey. Produced and edited by UND Athletics student interns, weekly episodes of Through These Doors aired on UNDsports.com for the past two seasons and featured locker room, bench and road trip access, high definition game highlights, and candid interviews with student-athletes and coaches. In March 2012, the show was spotlighted in a NYTimes.com article.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the show would transition from a weekly web-only series to a television series that will also air twice a month on Midco Sports Network as part of the network’s Friday night UND lineup.

The winner will be announced at the 14^th annual Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Awards Gala on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the State Theater in Minneapolis.

The Upper Midwest Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a membership organization dedicated to excellence in television by honoring exceptional work, past and present; providing professional development and outreach; and nurturing the next generation of television professionals.

Through These Doors – University of North Dakota Athletics

·         David Folske, Producer/Showrunner

·         Eric Classen, Producer

·         Peter Bottini, Producer

·         Andrew Parr, Assistant Producer/Audio Technician

·         Brian Gendreau, Assistant Producer

·         Matthew Schill, Executive Producer

·         Jayson Hajdu, Supervising Producer

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