Ed Schafer: Time For Fighting Sioux Nickname To Go.

Image via WikipediaYou can add former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer to the list of prominent people that are ready to move on and retire the Fighting Sioux nickname. Governor Ed Schafer weighed in on the Fighting Sioux nickname today on Scott Hennen's show.

FARGO, ND – A UND alumnus himself, former Governor and US Ag Secretary Ed Schafer has joined the growing ranks of North Dakotans saying today on the Scott Hennen show that the time has come to put an end to the fight to keep UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

During his time as Governor, Schafer said he often pushed to keep the name, pointing out the many benefits the name brought both to the Sioux reservations and to the university itself.

Although he did not sign yesterday’s letter, Schafer, himself a past president of both UND’s Alumni Association and Foundation Board, expressed his weariness of the state’s continuing battle with the NCAA.

“I’ve just come to the conclusion that it’s over,” said Schafer. “As much as I would like to keep the name; it’s not going to happen. We’ve spent too much time, resources and effort to fight it. Let’s get it over with, make the transition and move on. I don’t particularly like that, but that’s where it’s at.”