NDSU President Wants Fans to Discontinue 'Racist' Chant

I've never understood why NDSU fans still chant Sioux Suck? NDSU  fans chanted that after their favorite team won a NCAA FCS title in 2016.

Think about it, UND has played NDSU once in football since 2003. Apparently, the much maligned NDSU president Dean Bresciani is tired of the chant and wants NDSU fans to discontinue this practice. I imagine if UND ends up in the Summit League, Bresciani will hear that cheer a lot more.

Frankly, I think it's a dumb chant, too. I think that chant lacks originality. Same goes for the F#(K the Bison up the @$$, neither chant took a lot of thought. I guess no one told the fans that UND dropped the name Fighting Sioux back in 2012. Of course, Fighting Hawks suck probably doesn't have the same ring to it. Right?

Don't worry NDSU fans, there are many UND fans that think that name sucks, too. Now that being said, I realize this is a college sporting event. There’s going to be bad behavior and coarse language. That’s life.  I also love explaining to my nine-year-old what the fans are saying. Finally, UND fans are disrespecting the Fighting Sioux nickname like the NDSU fans are.

A letter to the editor in the campus newspaper, The Spectrum, calling for an end to the chant has prompted leaders at NDSU, including President Dean Bresciani, to urge students and others to end the tradition.

"We suspect people are continuing this chant out of a misplaced sense of tradition, and we are asking any who do so to re-evaluate their participation," an email sent Friday, Oct. 14 to the campus community said. The joint email was signed by Bresciani, the student body president, the presidents of the faculty and staff senates and several other top administrators.

"We challenge anyone using hateful, thoughtless language to reflect on that language," the email said. "We believe that people continuing to use these chants are not understanding that these chants are hurtful; they do not reflect the aspiration of NDSU to be a welcoming community." ( Patrick Springer, Grand Forks Herald)

Or buddies at the Spectrum are back and Erik Jonasson weighed in on the matter. Take a look at some of the comments at the bottom of the story. In all seriousness, that's the best cheer that you can come up with?

Erik Jonasson II of the NDSU Spectrum writes – Be it the band or football team, NDSU truly dominated the Fargodome this past Saturday.

In between the awful overpriced food, drunk children and chants of “F—k Iowa” it is hard to not hear the other chant:

“Sioux suck shit.”

Look I am not claiming to be a smart person. I am not a Midwesterner either. On a good hot-dish day I might be a Minnesotan.

Be that as it may, I don’t understand why you guys call it pop. I also don’t understand why you insist on reciting this terribly racist chant.

This chant is embedded in the fact that our only true competition for best university in the state comes from our neighbors to the north, the University of North Dakota.

Oh my. Look who chimed on this matter. I wonder if he knows the difference between NDSU and UND? He probably thinks this is UND's fault, but I digress.

Breaking News:NDSU President Calls for Review of School Song Due To "Troubling" Lyrics

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Hmmm. Looks like our brothers and sisters to the south are going to need to pick a new school song. Or edit out the offensive language. I am just shocked that it took them this long to figure it out. On second thought, no I am not. Not shocked at all.

Apparently, the NDSU schools song uses racist racial references to Native Americans.

(Link to the news), (Link to the news), (Link to the News), (Link to the News)

If you look at the song, the offensive words are pretty obvious to most people.

Ho! a cheer for Green and Yellow, Up with Yellow and the Green; They’re the shades that deck our prairies Far and wide with glorious sheen, Fields of waving green in springtime, Golden yellow in the fall— How the great high-arching heaven Looks and laughs upon it all!

Here in autumn throng the nations, Just to gather in the spoil, Throng on freight cars from the cities, Some to feast and some to toil, Then the yellow grain flows eastward And the yellow gold flows back; Barren cities boast their plenty And the prairies know no lack.

Hushed upon the boundless prairies Is the bison’s thund’ring tread, And the red man passes with him On his spoilers’ bounty fed. But the Norse, the Celt and Saxon With their herd increase, and find Mid these fields of green and yellow Plenty e’en for all mankind.

Ho! a cheer for Green and Yellow, Up with Yellow and the Green; They’re the shades that deck our prairies Far and wide with glorious sheen, Fields of waving green in springtime, Golden yellow in the fall— How the great high-arching heaven Looks and laughs upon it all!

Campus Community-

Here's the letter that President Dean Bresciani sent out.

I recently had a troubling matter brought to my attention which I felt called for immediate action. While some may initially find it an overstated concern, others will find it central to a deep and sober examination of our campus history. I believe it is important to share my reactions with you, as they reflect a commitment to maintaining the diverse, welcoming and supportive campus community we all value.

Our school song, the “Yellow and the Green,” has been a long-standing and broadly enjoyed tradition of our campus since 1908. Typically it is only performed through its first stanza; to be honest I have never heard it beyond that and I suspect most in our University community are like me. However, through our University’s system for confidential reporting of bias issues, I’ve learned that the third stanza contains a variety of cultural and ethnic references (toward both majority and minority populations) which by contemporary standards are troubling.

While we cannot “un-write” history or a song, as an academic community I felt it was appropriate to take two actions. The first action was the intermediary but immediate removal of all but the first stanza from NDSU websites and publications. The second action was asking Provost Ingram and Vice President for Student Affairs Alvarez to bring together a faculty, staff and student group to study the song in its entirety and offer recommendations on the balance between our history and tradition of the song with contemporary concerns for its appropriateness. My intention is that the thoughtful and respectful conversation our campus community has traditionally valued will come from doing so.

Dean Bresciani

NDSU Linebacker Carlton Littlejohn smokes Montana receiver Mitch Saylor

NDSU linebacker Carlton Littlejohn was assessed a personal four for targeting and given a game disqualification for this hit on Montana receiver Mitch Saylor. After further review, the disqualification for targeting was reversed. Littlejohn remained in the game, but NDSU was still given a penalty.

This is a perfect textbook example of how reviewing a penalty, in the end, will help the officials make the right call.  College hockey should pay attention, the review didn't take all that long, and in the end right call was made.

Carlton Littleohn has been ejected after a targeting penalty, play is under review #NDSU
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) September 20, 2014

Call is overturned, Littlejohn NOT ejected
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) September 20, 2014

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• Grand Forks Herald: UND, NDSU to play in 2015, 2019, ending 12-year hiatus

North Dakota AG College: ESPN Game Day Heading Back To Fargo

When it rains, it pours. Life is good for NDSU fans right now. So, for a second time in a year, ESPN game day is making a return trip to Fargo.

Like one of my Facebook friends said, "If you're a fan of a certain Big Ten football team this should embarrass you. Your squad is in the big 10 and can't produce a product ESPN cares about. Better program, better team, less scholarships. Honestly it's pretty sad, really." Begrudgingly, I must admit, he's right, that's an awesome feat. Yep, life is good for the NDSU football team.

WDAZ.COM - Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - When news broke over twitter this morning that ESPN's College GameDay would be making a return trip to Fargo next weekend if NDSU could beat Weber State tonight. Bison fans were quick to fire back with "we'll see you next week."

BREAKING: GameDay is heading back to Fargo! #GetUp4GameDay pic.twitter.com/snJMnfgp0U
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 7, 2014

NDSU: ESPN's College GameDay Returning to Downtown Fargo http://t.co/Kv3Ect5RlF
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball) September 7, 2014

BREAKING: ESPN College Game Day to broadcast from downtown Fargo next Saturday. #BisonPride pic.twitter.com/6xClNP0Ccq
— NDSU Athletics (@NDSUathletics) September 7, 2014

NDSU Tops the 2014 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll

Team (No. 1 Votes)	W-L	Points	Final Rank
1. North Dakota State (18)	15-0	636	1
2. Eastern Washington (6)	12-3	615	3
3. Southeast Louisiana (1)	11-3	542	6
4. New Hampshire	10-5	510	5
5. Montana	10-3	505	8
6. Coastal Carolina	12-3	447	7
7. Towson (1)	13-3	438	2
8. Jacksonville State	12-2	425	12
9. McNeese State	10-3	424	9
10. South Dakota State	9-5	332	14
11. Eastern Illinois	12-2	314	4
12. Fordham	12-2	305	10
13. Villanova	6-5	287	NR
14. Sam Houston State	9-5	277	13
15. Northern Iowa	7-5	263	NR
16. Chattanooga	8-4	238	25
17. Tennessee State	10-4	237	17
18. Furman	8-6	188	21
19. Montana State	7-5	170	20
20. Maine	10-3	169	11
21. Youngtown State	8-4	162	19
22. William & Mary	7-5	159	NR
23. Bethune-Cookman	10-3	136	16
24. Richmond	6-6	118	NR
25. Northern Arizona	9-3	116	15

2015 Frozen Four Logo

Not a big fan of this one. Looks like NDSU is hosting the Frozen Four. Thoughts on this logo?

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• UND and NDSU to resume the football rivalry?
• Breaking News: NDSU AD Gene Taylor to leave for the University of Iowa

Breaking News: NDSU AD Gene Taylor to leave for the University of Iowa

#179387981 / gettyimages.com

Ruh, roh! According to the Fargo Forum, NDSU Ad Gene Taylor is leaving NDSU for the University of Iowa.

NDSU Athletic Director Gene Taylor will leave the school, according to a report Monday morning.

Taylor told WDAY Sports Director Dom Izzo that he is leaving to take the Assistant Athletic Director position at the University of Iowa.

BREAKING: Gene Taylor Leaving NDSU.

Gene Taylor leaving NDSU.

UND Football: Lou Holtz says UND and NDSU should play each other

I would have to say that even former University of Minnesota Gopher and Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz gets it. But for some reason, the two schools can’t seem to put their differences and pride aside to make this happen.

By the way, anyone that thinks this match-up isn’t beneficial to both schools, is delusional and out of touch with reality. Also, FBI University aka FU, isn’t always going to be on top of FCS forever.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz told North Dakota State University and University of North Dakota presidents this week he can’t believe the two longtime rivals don’t play each other.

The ESPN football analyst is in Grand Forks to speak to the North Dakota Petroleum Council annual meeting this morning. Holtz said he enjoyed having dinner Tuesday night with presidents and athletic directors from NDSU and UND.

“I just think that is insane that two great schools, 70 miles apart or so, are not playing one another,” Holtz said.

Holtz, who also coached at the University of Minnesota and in the NFL, now works as an analyst for ESPN. The cable network is bringing its GameDay pregame show to broadcast from Fargo on Saturday.

“North Dakota State can fill up the stadium anyway, but it’d be a great money-maker for both schools, I think,” Holtz said. “The Legislature needs to get involved.”

Holtz said he predicted on four shows that NDSU would beat Kansas State and called it a “no-brainer” to pick the Bison.

Begin Rant: What the hell was former UND Athletic Director Roger Thomas thinking back in the days when NDSU made the transition to FCS Football. For some reason, we’re still paying the price for this man’s short sightedness. NDSU and UND are playing in every other sport but FCS Football. I just don’t get this mind set.

Forum headline: Former UNO, UND football coach arrested in Iowa

The Fargo Forum probably was falling all over itself to put up that headline. To quote the A.P. article that the Forum doctored, "[Pat] Behrns had been head coach of the University of North Dakota football team from 1980 to 1985." Behrns hasn't coached at UND for 28 years. This is the same newspaper that won't hold their head football coach or the football players at NDSU accountable.

Related articles

• UND Football: Dexter Albrecht explains '30 Minutes or Less' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND and NDSU to resume the football rivalry? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Former UNO coach arrested in Iowa prostitution sting (nebraskaradionetwork.com)
• Ex-UNO football coach arrested in prostitution case (omaha.com)
• NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND and NDSU to resume the football rivalry?

September 19th, 2015: Could that be the day when #NDSU and #UND end the drought? Bison have only Montana scheduled for that year #FCS
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) June 19, 2013

Tonight, there was a tweet WDAY's Dom Izzo and apparently there's a chance that the NDSU and UND might resume the historic rivalry and begin playing football in 2015. That would be awesome news if true.

I was also re-reading an old blog post from last November  and of course there was the usual and predictable moronathon of comments from NDSU fans. You know, "the who needs UND, blah, blah, blah"…Kind of reminds me of the comments I have seen made from another rival or ours.

Look, when I went to school at UND, the Sioux vs the Bison football game was one of the hottest tickets in town, it was a very fun rivalry. I don't understand why people are still biter on both sides, after all of these years. Sure, Roger Thomas made a poor decision by deciding not to continue playing NDSU, but he has been gone from UND for a long time.

Lastly, I found a comment from a fan that really hits a home run. Also, this guys comments kind of puts things in perspective. Check it out. I would love to buy this guy a beer, because he gets it. Seriously, he's right, do NDSU fan "really" want to see the Bison play some slouch team, that fits the weak sister of the poor label, or do they want to play a real rival?

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• Travis Beck arrest video portrays NDSU football in a positive light (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Attorney: Bison linebacker's conduct 'defensible' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU linebacker charged with aggravated assault (sfgate.com)

Two NDSU softball players charged in connection with boozy initiation party

Since they’re not NDSU football players they will probably have the book thrown at them by the NDSU athletic department.

FARGO – Two people have been charged in Cass County District Court in connection with incidents that occurred on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and involved individuals who at the time were members of North Dakota State University’s women’s softball team.

The charges stem from an initiation party for freshman players that included beer-chugging contests and forced shots of liquor, one of the players allegedly told police.

Cassidy Szeredy is charged with harassment and disorderly counduct, a Class A misdemeanor and a Class B misdemeanor, respectively, according to a Monday afternoon news release from the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office.

So, today we find out that two NDSU Bison softball players Alexandria Sobrero and Cassidy Szeredy are facing charges of harassment and disorderly conduct as the result of a team party that went south late last year. This comes on the heels of five UND hockey players being charged for allegedly supplying alcoholic beverages to minors during a team party prior to the 2012-13 season.

It will be interesting to see how the NDSU athletic department handles this case. We will see if the NDSU softball team has a win all cost attitude or will these two players sit out a game or two.

One Last time, NDSU makes their case for their athletes

I know this isn't hockey related but it's kind of a big deal to the people of North Dakota. I am also going to get back to covering UND hockey starting tomorrow when I go to the Hockey media luncheon, that I promise you.

This evening, NDSU head football coach Craig Bohl, Athletic Director Gene Taylor and University President Dean Bresciani addressed the Fargo media on why the North Dakota State University didn't suspend nine of the 10 players that plead guilty to violating North Dakota election laws. In other words, only one player is going to get suspended for basically screwing up a petition drive that Ducks Unlimited was going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on promoting.

So, whether those in Fargo to include fans of the Bison Nation want to acknowledge this or not – this this kind of a big deal – these football players attempted to selfishly circumvented the election process – these guys attempted to defraud the state of North Dakota for personal gain. That is a serious deal – I don’t buy this crap about the players not really understanding what they did – that is absolute balderdash. These are adults and their actions have consequences and playing football for North Dakota State University is a privilege not a right – the Bison players in this case are also not the victims some have made them out to be.

If the NDSU coaching staff had just decided to suspend the players involved in this crime during the RMU game, this would have been over and it would have ended all of the speculation that has taken place since with each passing day.

Tuesday afternoon humor

Win at all costs is the message at NDSU

North Dakota State Bison athletic logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think I got this figured out; the message coming out of Fargo, ND – if you’re an athlete at North Dakota State University – more specifically – if you’re a starter on the Bison football team – you don’t have to suffer the consequences for your actions. Apparently, being called out in the media for your moronic and buffoonish actions is considered suffering enough. I am going to say Barbra Streisand on this one.

Apparently, North Dakota State University officials don’t think that it’s a big deal to subvert elections laws and commit election fraud – sounds like the NDSU football coach doesn't feel that players on his team need to follow the rules that the rest of society follows.

Kevin Schnepf, INFORUM --- After the 6,000 Bison fans who made the trip to Fort Collins celebrated yet another win over a big-time opponent, they couldn’t help but wonder if any of the Bison players are going to eventually face suspensions for their involvement in the highly publicized petition fraud case.

NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor quickly answered that question after the game:

“There are not going to be any suspensions,” Taylor emphatically said after the game. “These kids don’t deserve a suspension. I’m not going to suspend them and neither is Craig (head coach Craig Bohl). As far as we are concerned, it is over.”

This statement was made with NDSU President Dean Bresciani standing only a few feet away. Bresciani said he did not want to comment, saying he does not comment on inner-department matters.

This statement, no doubt, is going to add plenty of fodder for those who think the current 10 Bison players who were charged for forging names on petition drives should be suspended. There were even some Bison boosters at Saturday’s pregame tailgating festivities who were anticipating some sort of suspension once these players have their day in court.

“What’s going to happen in court, in my opinion, is going to be a lot less than what people think,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, these kids have been through enough.”

All you have to do is read these quotes below by NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor – this is a text book definition of the arrogance by a public official – it’s also apparent that the NDSU athletic director is delusional and out of touch with reality. North Dakota State University is a public university that is paid for by public funds received from state income taxes, that the state of North Dakota assesses the good people of the great state of North Dakota – that means that the athletic department is accountable to us – the tax payers in North Dakota.

“It’s over,” Taylor reiterated. “They felt horrible, they felt horrible. Every day, their pictures are in the paper, day after day after day. It gets and old and it does get to them.

“They were villified many times over and to come out and perform like they did, it’s hats off to them. I’m tired of talking about it and I’m tired of seeing it in the paper. People need to move on because it’s not changin

Let’s look at it this way – you’re representatives of the defending FCS National Champion – players on your teams – some of which are starters (4) – committed a crime. That’s nothing to sneeze at – this isn’t a status offense – this is an actual Class Misdemeanor.

Schnepf: Taylor says players charged in petition fraud scandal won't be suspended #NDSUBison shar.es/uoHEz
— Eric Peterson (@FargoBigE) September 9, 2012

EDIT: NDSU Football players back in trouble with the law

As a fan that can remember the NDSU and UND rivalry so many thoughts come to mind – I am sure that others can come up with their own.

Nice to see that nothing has changed at NDSU – also – it will be interesting to see if any of these players are in the lineup next weekend when the Bison play the Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado.

"North Dakota State University football coach Craig Bohl says the eight Bison football players charged with petition fraud won't be suspended...at least for now." You can listen to the press conference that was held on AM 740 the fan.

Don't count on any players for NDSU Sitting out this week... Accroding to Jeff Kolpack of the Fargo Forum - NDSU Head Coach Craig Bohl said he's known about situation for quite some time. Players deserve day in court.

Here is the link to the North Dakota Attorney General’s page... [ND AG]

Forum staff reports, INFORUM --- Eight current North Dakota State University football players and one former player are among 11 people facing charges in connection with voter fraud tied to general election ballot measures.

Four of the accused are starters on the football team.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Secretary of State Al Jaeger identified the individuals charged as: Aireal Boyd, Josh Colville, Josh Gatlin, Demetrius Grey, Jennifer Krahn, Lane O’Brien, Samuel Ojuri, Brendin Pierre, Antonio Rodgers, Bryan Shepherd and Marcus Williams.

All have are charged with facilitation of voter fraud or filing a false statement, according to Stenehjem and Jaeger.

The charges are Class A misdemeanors.

Criminal complaints claim that all circulators of a petition are required to sign an affidavit stating they witnessed all the signatures and that all signatures are genuine.

Some over on Bisonville the Bison fans are taking a wait and see look at the new revelations about their beloved football team –  some seem to think that it’s a minor issue or are already looking for a way to deflect blame and claim that it’s political. Let's blame UND for our problems.

While it's funny because it's NDSU, we will see how this plays out in the coming days; this could end up being a distraction that NDSU didn’t want to have any part of. Some will say that it’s a lot to do about nothing - yeah  okay! I don't think that messing around with elections or committing fraud isn’t something I want to be associated with nor is it a minor infraction.

Break out the tin foil hats

EDIT:One NDSU fan even suggested that this is a conspiracy; I am not making this up. Just for the record – I would highly doubt that the A.G. of North Dakota would simply go on a witch hunt against the other school for something like this.

Wayne Stenehjem was born in Mohall, North Dakota, and he graduated from Bismarck High School in 1971 and Bismarck State College in 1972. He attended the University of North Dakota and the UND School of Law, graduating in 1977.

Jaeger was born in Beulah, ND in 1943. Raised in Beulah, he graduated from its high school in 1961. He attended Bismarck State College and in 1963 earned an Associate of Arts degree. In 1966, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Dickinson State University majoring in Business Education with a minor in Speech. He also completed post-graduate work at the University of North Dakota

Get out those tin foil hats folks, the North Dakota A.G. is out to get NDSU because he is a graduate of North Dakota.

Seriously?

Lastly, you would have to be a complete imbecil to think that the Attorney General of the great state of North Dakota Wayne Stenehjem and Secretary of the State of North Dakota Al Jaeger would conspire against NDSU just because they went to UND?

Ex-North Dakota State football player pleads guilty in ND theft ring

This is for the people that haven't seen this. It will be interesting to see how the NDSU Bison fans over on Belligerentville spin this. Crickets chirping...

A second former North Dakota State football player has pleaded guilty to felony theft in connection with a theft ring at a Best Buy store in Fargo.

Garrett Johnson was sentenced Monday to the two days he had already served in jail, 50 hours of community service, 18 months of supervised probation and a $500 fee.

In June, former player Greg Reid Jr. pleaded guilty to theft and was given a suspended jail sentence and probation.

Twelve people are charged in the case, which authorities say involves as much as $150,000 in merchandise taken from the store between last September and February.

Johnson, a defensive end from Chaska, Minn., and Reid, a defensive tackle from Milwaukee, Wis., were dismissed from the team in April. [Grand Forks Herald]