Let's Hang a Banner - Line UND vs. MB

The big question everyone probably wants to know; who's Boeser going to play with. This will be the first NCAA Banner hanging in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena (okay, I know it's 15 years old now). The line to watch will be Brock Boeser, Tyson Jost and Shane Gersich.

The new Heavy Line second version; Joel Janatuinen, Rhett Gardner and Austin Poganski.

Herald Letter: New logo conspicuous by its absence at UND

Yesterday, while reading the Grand Forks Herald letters to the editor, I came across this interesting letter. Mr. Johnson isn't the first one to ask this question. When Brad Schlossman tweeted the picture of the ice going in, missing was the new logo. There were a few tweets back asking where and when the new logo was going to be at center ice.

UND's new nickname is the Fighting Hawks. So, why is UND not getting behind it and painting in on the ice at Ralph Engelstad Arena—or on the basketball or volleyball floor at Betty Engelstad Arena—or on the football field at the Alerus Center?

Instead, those facilities are using the interlocking ND logo, which is being phased out. Why? Does UND not even like the Fighting Hawks logo?

The university wants all the fans to get on board with the new logo, but the school itself has not even fully embraced it.

J.R. Johnson

Grand Forks

From what I have heard and read, the new logo isn't going to be on any playing surface this season. However, we're to expect to see it there during the 2017-18 season.

Redwing77's Take on the New Logo...

by Redwing77

As Eric said, it's getting mixed reviews and from what I read, I understand it.  The ONLY thing UND has done correctly in this whole affair is to seek advice from its staff, students, faculty, and alumni.

After that, it simply disregarded what those groups were saying in favor of the overriding political mantra "We can't do what you want because we're acting for the greater good and you're too stuck in the wrong to notice."

I don't recall a time (in more facets that mere athletics) where the "greater good" was so corrupted by agendas than the last 10 years or so.

In any case, here's my take on the new logo.

If this logo had been the winning submission from a community outreach program, such as a contest, I think it would be more palatable than the reality of the situation:  We paid millions of dollars for what was correctly deemed to be an overly simplistic, almost canned generic font for the ND and as for the "hawk..."  Gosh if that doesn't look like a slightly modified version of:

Just remove all of the blue and add black highlights and black dots for eyes and well...

My problem isn't that it is ugly.  It's not a good looking logo, but it's not ugly either.  My problem is that we wasted a LOT of money on a logo that surely will become the crown jewel of wasted taxpayer money (whether or not it was taxpayer money or otherwise).

Nevertheless, I argue that UND couldn't win this logo idea anyways.  The only way UND would have come out of this debacle looking at least ok is if they would have allowed the no nickname option on the ballot.  Sure, the PC crowd wouldn't have been happy but that would have constituted less than 40% of the UND greater community (I would assume).

However, people are already forgetting the silver lining:  a logo isn't static.  Many MANY teams have alternate logos.  It would be very easy for UND to alter or change their logo after a year or so and relegate this new one to an alternative jersey format or, if Coach Schweigert likes it so much, it could be football only.

If I were the new UND President, whomever that is, I'd turn to UND's art department, alumni association, and perhaps even the greater UND community and hold a contest to design the new logo much like what got us the final Sioux logo.  The University can stipulate what would constitute a legal submission and what would not.

For example, the hawk can not have any feathers even remotely resembling an eagle feather simply due to the fact that the Native Americans hold a de facto copyright on ALL such representations.

It's doable and I'm fairly certain that, at this point, they will strongly consider it.

Fighting Hawks Can Wait

St Paul Pioneer Press sports writer Bob Sansevere interviewed UND forward Brock Boeser after the Frozen Four. One of the things that and one of the things that caught my eye was this. Boeser hits on something that has been a topic of discussion since UND picked Fighting Hawks as their official nickname. I’ve also had a few interesting conversations about the Fighting Hawks and Fighting Sioux nicknames.

Sansevere: There was a lot of controversy about North Dakota being called the Fighting Sioux. Do you like the Fighting Hawks nickname?

Boeser: It’s something not a lot of people like down here. Most people would have preferred the University of North Dakota with no nickname.

Sansevere: Fans were chanting “Let’s go Sioux” and “Sioux forever” in the championship game. Did you hear them?

Boeser: They’ll never change that. All the fans love the team, and there are die-hard Sioux fans.

During the nickname selection debacle, we were told that not having a nickname would be like continuing to use the Fighting Sioux nickname. If UND picked a nickname, the fans would get behind the new nickname. Yeah, that hasn't happened for the UND hockey fans. Some of the other programs have had a smoother transition to the new nickname.

So, this past weekend, the anti-no nickname crowd's theory was shot all to hell. Thousands of UND fans dressed in Fighting Sioux garb chanted "Let's Go Sioux" and "Sioux Forever". I didn't hear one "Let’s Go Hawks" cheer, you probably won't for a very long time.

Even the national media, for the most part still refers to UND as the Fighting Sioux. I am wondering how long before this goes away. It doesn't appear that it's going to happen anytime soon. Let's be clear, I am not suggesting that UND transition back to the Fighting Sioux nickname. It's not going to happen, ever. I am also not a member of the move on crowd either. I have bought two new Fighting Sioux Jersey's in the last year.

Let's not forget, UND wouldn't be able to host an NCAA regional in Fargo, ND if they still under NCAA sanctions and had the Fighting Sioux nickname. Don't forget, UND will again host another regional next season in Fargo. I also think that UND's other programs will eventually benefit from being able to not being under NCAA sanctions.

I am also surprised I haven't seen an editorial in the Grand Forks Herald complaining about the pro-Fighting Sioux nickname crowd chanting "Let's Go Sioux" and "Sioux Forever." And no, UND has a new nickname and the NCAA isn't going to sanction them because their fans are chanting the old nickname. If fans want to cheer Fighting Sioux and wear the old jersey's that protected under the first amendment. That's a line of bull s***.

In conclusion, I also find some irony that immediately after UND selected a new nickname, they went out and won an NCAA title with the new nickname. I don't know what to make of this? I just don't expect the new nickname to catch fire anytime soon. I also think the move on crowd can back off just a bit. I also think it's silly to boo your team every time you hear Fighting Hawks. Some day we might find some middle ground. But for now, all I can say is Fighting Hawks can wait.

Grand Forks Herald: Forum Attendees Want UND's Logo to Be Unique

One of my concerns moving forward has been the design of the Fighting Hawks logo. Apparently, I am not the only one that has these concerns.

The design of the logo is a very important moment for the administration. I have a lot of anxiety about this process. If they blow the design of the logo and you will never get the fans young and old to get behind the Fighting Hawks nickname, ever.

"I know there are many, including myself, who are afraid we're just going to end up another cheesy bird, another one of many, many hawks," UND graduate Brooke McClintock said at the forum. "We're coming from something so courageous and great and strong, we're going to just fade into the back with a cheesy hawk." (Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald)

Ben Brien Releases Unofficial Fighting Hawks Logo

Of course, this is what I would classify as an acceptable Fighting Hawks logo design, but it will probably never get a look. I hope I am wrong. This is also a perfect example of why the University didn't have to spend a bunch of money. Thoughts? It's it's wonderful.

Jonathan Toews: 'Fighting Hawks Best of the Available Options'

Hmm, found this interesting. I said pretty much the same thing.

The day has come. The second round of the UND Nickname vote began today at 12:00 hours. My choice for a new nickname is Fighting Hawks, it’s the best choice of three unattractive/bad choices.

Here's a first from a @UNDmhockey alum: Jonathan Toews likes "Fighting Hawks." Called it the best of the available options. #cawlidgehawkey

— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) February 20, 2016

SME Inc. it Is

The University of North Dakota has picked SME Inc. to design the Fighting Hawks Logo. SME Inc. is a company out of New York City. According to SEM's web page, they've worked with the Minnesota Wild.

Personally, I don't care who designs the Fighting Hawks logo. That being said, this very crucial time in the nickname transition. I am concerned about the Fighting Hawks logo and what it will look like.

The university’s Graphic Identity RFP Evaluation and Recommendation Team chose New York-based SME Inc. Tuesday after three firms made their pitch to design the logo. Pending final approval from UND interim President Ed Schafer, the company is expected to design the logo by this summer so the school can implement it in the fall.

“It’s an important next step, and it’s been a short but very engaged process,” said UND Athletic Director Brian Faison, who served as a co-chairman for the committee. “It’s nice to get to this point, absolutely.”

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead: Old UND nickname fans get clear message from Schafer

I was surprised when some thought that Interim UND President Ed Schafer would revisit the nickname issue. That's not what Schafer was brought here to do. Schafer is here to help transition to a new university president. Maybe clean up a mess or two. In my opinion, there are a few messes at UND that need to be cleaned up.

The message is clear, the voting over and we move forward. Of course, the Forum never lets an opportunity to chastise the UND fan base go to waste. This time, is no different?

The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead Editorial Board -- A loyal UND alumnus, Schafer might have seen the matter differently during the lengthy debate about retiring the nickname. But to his credit, he hasn’t talked about the history. Rather, he was clear as a cloudless January sky about the nickname situation now. “That issue has been settled,” he said.

“... and in my opinion, whether you like the name or not, whether you supported the Fighting Sioux or not, the reality is we’re beyond that.”

It is unlikely the die-hard supporters of the old nickname (who have taken to booing when the new Fighting Hawks nickname is announced at ice hockey games) will be satisfied with Schafer’s definitive statement. It is likely they will continue their losing crusade and boorish behavior, which embarrasses the school they say they love. It is certain they will react badly (it’s what they do) because some of them really believed Schafer would reopen the debate.

Again, I think the key is selecting an acceptable logo that fans can get behind. Most of us are very cynical that the University can do this effectively. I am not so sure.

Finally,  If UND was to win a title in hockey or some other sport with the new nickname in the near future, that could help the transition to a new nickname.

This Mindset Is How We End up With a Bad F'NHawks Logo

First, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Second, I believe designing the next logo for the University of North Dakota is going be an important step in whether people accept the new nickname or continue to boo it.

Joe Sando, Grand Forks --- OK, here's where I'm coming from: The Walt Disney/Chuck Jones School of Logo Design. Yeah, I made that up, but they did great logos.

Walt designed University of Oregon's Duck (Puddles by name), and that's a hell of a brand. Walt and Chuck knew a lot about having fun; why can't we do that?

I really think we need to appeal to the perceptions of young fans and children. They are the next generation of fans.

So, I think the Hawk logo should have a smile. A scowling hawk—all beak and talons—is very menacing. But a hawk with a smile, a twinkle in his eye, still can be very aggressive in an animated way but is less threatening to the young.

Maybe the logo should be able to come alive and become a mascot, a student-in-costume a la the San Diego Chicken?

I think whatever the design ultimately becomes, it should not close out the possibilities to be all these other things.

I am troubled when I read this: We don't need a cute or a smiling logo. UND needs a logo that oozes power and strength. A hawk is a bird of prey. I would hope that a new logo is intimidating logo and aggressive. I am also tired of hearing we can't do that, because the NCAA won't like it. I am sick and tired of this political correctness.

Finally, UND fans need something that they can get behind. I am dead serious. Blow the logo design process and you're going to do more damage than good.

WHKY: Second period Shelby shuts out Badgers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. --

The University of North Dakota spoiled Wisconsin's 18-game winning streak on Friday with a shut-out win. For the second time this season the Fighting Hawks downed the No. 1 ranked team in the country in an attempt to gain traction on the season.

UND got on the board with a power play goal from Layla Marvin during about a little a little over 12 minutes into the first. Four minutes later Vilma Tanksanen put the Hawks up 2-0 with assist from Rebekah Kolstad and Tanja Eisenschmid.

Shelby Amsley-Benzie faced a flurry of 15 shots during the second period. The Badgers dominated offensively, but weren't able to produce results in the form of goals.

“Shelby was lights out and that’s a big part of [the win]. I thought everyone contributed and played well with a lot of passion,” Head coach Brian Idalski said.

Wisconsin was also able to hold off the Hawks' offense to two shots during the second.

“You know what I told the team?” Idalski said about second period. “That’s the great thing about hockey and having three periods. As soon as it’s over, it’s done, it has no bearing. It doesn’t matter. We were good in the first. Second, we got hemmed in, we turned pucks over too much. I said, 'That’s over, let’s go back to what we were doing in the first; keep things simple, manage the game a little bit.' We did that and grinded it out in the third.”

North Dakota was able to rebound in the third period which included a second assist for Eisenschmid on the third goal of the evening by Becca Kohler.

The Fighting Hawks improved to 11-6-2 overall and 8-5-1 in the WCHA. 

Tonight's game marks Amsley-Benzie's fifth shut-out of the year. The Fighting Hawks will attempt to sweep the Badgers Saturday afternoon at 4:07 p.m. at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.