Lol: ESPN Thinks UND is in Fargo

I just thought this was a little odd. Last time I checked the University of North Dakota campus is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 75 miles north of the NDSU campus. A simple check on Google would have confirmed this.

FARGO, N.D. -- Nearly four years after retiring Fighting Sioux mascot following criticism from Native Americans, the University of North Dakota briefly found itself back in the business of selling merchandise with a logo the NCAA had ruled hostile and abusive.

The reason is that a settlement agreement with the NCAA over the nickname required the school to keep the Fighting Sioux trademark, and the school felt the only way to do that was to market the product.

So a limited series of items known as the Dacotah Heritage Collection hit shelves last week. Most of them sold out within hours.

Since the story orginates out of Grand Forks, ND. Last time I checked, Peter Johnson's office is in Grand Forks, ND. I guess our buddies from the south have had so much media exposure winning five FCS football championships they forgot where UND was at.

The NCAA in 2005 placed UND on a list of schools with American Indian nicknames, logos and mascots that it found objectionable. UND was the last holdout on that list and filed a lawsuit to keep the name. That suit was settled in October 2007, and one of the terms involved keeping the trademark, UND spokesman Peter Johnson said.

Johnson said the university sold the license to a handful of stores to sell more than 9,000 pieces of merchandise, including more than 1,000 sweatshirts, 3,000 hats and 300 lanyards. Another rollout of limited items will likely take place later this year.

NCHC Suspends Troy Stecher

Junior defenseman Troy Stecher has been given a one-game suspension by the NCHC for game-ending checking from behind penalty. Almost immediately following the game, there were whispers about Stecher missing this Friday's game against the UNO Mavericks. This is a big loss for UND, but there's enough depth to make it through the weekend.

This is a dangerous hit, and the type of hit we would like to see illuminated from all levels of hockey. If you watch the video embed above above, at the end of the video, is the hit in question.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has issued a one-game suspension to North Dakota junior defenseman Troy Stecher, in accordance with the conference’s supplemental discipline policy, the NCHC announced Tuesday, Feb. 23. The suspension stems from an illegal hit during UND’s game against Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Stecher was suspended after the review of a play in which a hit was delivered to the back of a Minnesota Duluth player at 20:00 of the third period Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. A major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct were assessed on the play.

Stecher will be required to serve the suspension during UND’s next game, which is Friday, Feb. 26 at Omaha. Stecher is eligible to return for the Fighting Hawks in the series finale with the Mavericks on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Baxter Arena in Omaha.

It's Down to Fighting Hawks and Rough Riders

And then there were two nickname choices left. Yay! Right? I suppose we will just keep voting eh?

There are a few things that we know, Sundogs and Nodaks nickname options are out. There's a good chance that someone will file a lawsuit and try to prolong the agony.

Here we go again, the UND nickname vote is going to a redundant third and final vote. Meh!... And let's drag it out even longer. Again, we have to wait till the 12th of November to vote again. I think we should start voting tomorrow or Tuesday. This nickname fiasco has become a major league gong show.

Brandi Jewett, Grand Forks Herald --- A third round of voting will take place between Fighting Hawks and Roughriders to select UND’s athletic nickname after none of the three proposed nicknames failed to garner a majority of voter support.

The final runoff between these two names will be held for eligible voters beginning Nov. 12 at noon Central Time and concluding at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 16.

The university announced Sunday that Fighting Hawks received 45.69 percent of voter support and Roughriders received 27.95 percent. With no option securing the majority, another vote will take place between the two frontrunners.

Nodaks received the least support with 26.36 percent of votes and is now out of the running.

In my opinion, the assinine thing is the fact that we're even having a third vote. I am sorry, but 45.69 - 27.95 is a statistically significant difference.

After all that time and energy spent trying to find a unique nickname, UND will most likely be the 29th version of a hawk in college sports.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) November 8, 2015

North Dakota had multiple chances to pick a 100% unique nickname (SunDogs, NoDaks). Now they're going to be just another school with a bird.

— Jack Hittinger (@jackhitts) November 8, 2015

Fighting Sioux fatigue and the quest for a new nickname

Are you tired? Because I’m exhausted. For the past few years the University of North Dakota has been preparing itself for a transition from the Fighting Sioux moniker into a new nickname.

Before and during the transition period there have been multiple times when I’ve said several “unladylike” curse words in frustration. That time when the North Dakota legislative body thought it knew better than UND. An alumni who took out trade-names in an attempt to derail UND from using said names. The weak attempt at a lawsuit to stop voting from happening. The list goes on.

I knew the transition would be difficult, but I didn’t think it would come to the ridiculous lengths that it has to some extent. Admittedly, there were times that I was surprised at the lengths groups and individuals were willing to go. I will also admit that, although, I might not agree with any of the attempts to prolong this battle, I respect the passion and interest in fighting for what one believes in.

I’ve been ready to move forward since the state legislative body decided that, after UND had decided to transition, it would have to go back to using the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. At that time, the university’s Athletics department was already running under the North Dakota moniker. In full disclosure, I worked in the Athletics Department as a student assistant at the time. It was more than frustrating. Since that time I have commonly said that I have Fighting Sioux Fatigue.

As I’m sure many of you have, I followed the new nickname and logo process. I was a participant in one of the ‘conversation cafes’ that was established by UND last year. I voted in the first round and will vote in the second (and third, heaven forbid that it comes to that).

I’m frustrated with the final name selections because I’m not convinced that they truly exhibit the findings that were outlined in the conversation cafés hosted to field what might be a good fit for a new nickname. The nickname selection committee was ultimately responsible for whittling down the massive list.

I foolishly believed that after the first vote I would be one vote away from moving toward closure. When news broke yesterday evening that there would be three, not two names on the next ballot, it was one of the first times I’ve felt truly betrayed by the process. I understand the rationale to some extent, but I wonder if it was the ‘right thing to do.’ Selecting three names to move forward went against the initial process that was outlined and could cause another vote, prolonging the agony. 

Perhaps time and this process has broken me down a bit, but I have decided that I will learn to live with whatever is selected by the majority and that I will continue to support UND. And I truly believe that those of you that love UND as much or more than I do will continue to support the institution and athletics no matter what the final decisions is.

You will not, however, catch me wearing any Roughrider gear if that is what the fates allow.

82,000 Eligible to Vote for UND's New Nickname

According to Anna Burleson of the Grand Forks Herald, over 82,000 people will be eligible to vote in next weeks nickname vote.

The vote will be held Oct. 19 - 23. Voters will be asked to choose the Nodaks, Sundogs, Roughriders, Fighting Hawks or North Stars.

Those who can vote are UND students, faculty and staff, retirees and alumni who attended the school for any length of time. Donors—those who have ever given any monetary amount—and season ticketholders as of Aug. 31 are also eligible.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson said 82,121 individual email accounts are now on file and will be sent information on how to vote through the external survey company Qualtrics, though that number wasn't exact as of Tuesday because some duplicates are still being filtered and removed.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson said 82,121 individual email accounts are now on file and will be sent information on how to vote through the external survey company Qualtrics, though that number wasn't exact as of Tuesday because some duplicates are still being filtered and removed.

William Brotherton's Go Fund Me Page

I don't know, I just don't think that Willam Brotherton will be able to stop the vote, that begins next Monday. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I predict it will fail. 

Time To Vote: UND nickname voting instructions to be sent this week

Here's the letter that I got today. 

As an eligible UND nickname voter, you should receive an email in the next day or two that will contain instructions and a link for casting your vote.

The email will come from Qualtrics, the third-party online voting service retained to manage the voting process for UND. The email will be sent to this address. Please read the instructions carefully.

SAVE the Qualtrics email! You will need the link it contains to vote next week.

Voting begins on Monday, Oct. 19, at 8 a.m. Central Time, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Oct. 23. The voting link will not be activated until the voting opens on Oct. 19.

Eligible voters will only be able to vote once, and will be asked to choose from the following potential nicknames:

• Fighting Hawks
• Nodaks
• North Stars
• Roughriders
• Sundogs

UND anticipates receiving the results of the vote early the week of Oct. 26. In the event none of the five potential nicknames receives more than 50 percent of the vote, stakeholders who were eligible to take part in the initial vote will be able to participate in a runoff vote between the two top vote-getters. If a runoff vote occurs, more information will be provided.

Former UND Grad to Take Legal Action Against UND over Nickname

Just when you think you're finally going to vote, another wrench gets thrown into the equation. This is turning into a soap opera. Or a train wreck that you can't take your eyes off of.

According to Rob Port of Say Anything Blog, UND grad William Brotherton is plans to take legal action against the University of North Dakota. I kid you not.

I would imagine that he better hurry up, there's only 10 1/2 days until voting takes place. Also, there might be question on whether Mr. Brotherton actually has standing in this manner.

“We are looking to raise money to look at filing a pleading by next friday [October 16],” William Brotherton, who operates the Brotherton Law Office, told me today. “There’s a number of questions as to how the nickname committee arrived at its decision on the five names. There is the huge outcry over the fact that North Dakota is not listed as one of the options for the voters. There’s also an outcry that you can’t even write in any other choice. It all seems to be very much orchestrated.”

Asked how he got involved, Brotherton said people started contacting him after he wrote an op/ed published in the Fargo Forum about the controversy. “I have received a lot of calls and emails from folks because I wrote an op/ed,” he said. “A bunch of folks have been contacting me so I guess I sort of became the lightning rod for all this.”

Like I have said in the past, I favored the UND/North Dakota option, but I have since warmed to moving ahead and voting for a new nickname. Fighting Hawks is the one that I have decided I like the best. The other four options all have issues. Especially, the Sundogs option.

Sure, why not? Crookston Times Letter: Prairie Dogs is a great nickname for UND

This one is too hilarious not to share with the blog readers, feel free to share your thoughts. This nickname suggestion is almost as bad as Sundogs. Close, but Sundogs still takes it for all-time bad nickname suggestions.

Per the Crookston Times:

I'd like to add my suggestion to that list of five, Prairie Dogs. Why Prairie Dogs? Because they're social animals, they keep a sharp lookout for their enemies, and they alert one another to danger by making loud barking or chirping noises. Also, just think about it. What are the prairie states? They're Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota, and they border the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Go! Prairie Dogs! Go!

If you're curious about why I took such an interest in this "Name Game," I can tell you why. I grew up in Crookston, Minnesota and played ice hockey at Cathedral High School with Johnny Noah who died this month. Johnny was 87, and so am I. Johnny and other guys from Cathedral played for the first UND Big Ten hockey team which was coached by our former football and hockey coach, Don Norman. Of course, this was way back in the forties and early fifties, but it sure left an impression on me, and so did Johnny Noah who also played on the U.S. Olympic team.
By Chuck Dowdle
Cambria, California

WHKY: North Dakota opens season against the Rensselaer Engineers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -

The University of North Dakota women's hockey team will open its regular season on the road in upstate New York. North Dakota will face RPI in an ever-important non-conference game right out of the gate.

When playing in the WCHA, non-conference games can make or break a team's post-season hopes. This weekend is no exception and North Dakota hopes to win its first game in Troy, N.Y. this weekend. Veterans returning to this ice for the green and white understand that importance of this weekend. "We know what it's like to drop games early and, I guess, be punished for it at the end of the season," senior, forward Layla Marvin said.

Head coach Brian Idalski said that the focus is to win hockey games, but that the team needs to be patient with where its at at this stage in the season.

The last time the teams met at the Houston Field House, RPI swept North Dakota. Last season, the Engineers traveled to The Ralph for the season opener where North Dakota took the game 7-1.

Last weekend North Dakota struggled offensively in their exhibition against the University of Manitoba Bisons. The lone goal credited in the second to Anna Kiponen. The puck came off the skate of a Bisons player before entering their net. North Dakota gave all three goaltenders a workout during the exhibition.

Live stats will be available for tomorrow's game (5:00 p.m. CST) and Saturday (1:00 p.m. CST) match-up at RPI Athletics. You can also follow @UNDWHockey on Twitter for updates.

North Dakota will continue its caravan on the road through October 16th. The first home game of the season will be a Saturday afternoon match-up against the gritty, Bemidji State Beavers on October 17th.

Oh Boy!

Ruthmary Arnason Unruh of Grand Forks, ND wrote this doozy of a letter to the editor. In my opinion, she's living in a pure fantasy world. Sure Nodaks is unique, but Sundogs isn't. Thank God, every online poll that I have seen has Sundogs in fourth or fifth.

NODAKS—Imagine this:
•A bold outline of the state of North Dakota
•A background of green and white (stripes, checks, lightning bolts, etc.)
•The word "NODAKS" in big letters covering the state—in a bold, funky font
•The eternal flame aglow in the letter "D" like the existing UND symbol
•This is a personal favorite. We are truly Nodaks.

SUNDOGS—Picture this:
•The word SUNDOGS in a creative brilliant font
•A burst (like the sun) around the letters UND of SUNDOGS
•Color bursts (sundogs) on either side of the word SUNDOGS (probably green and white flashes with a sparkling, classy look)
•The eternal flame aglow in the letter "D" or "O."

Come on, UND fans: Look forward. Visualize. Imagine. Pledge your loyalty.

Stand up and Cheer for a great new UND look.

North Dakota—Here's to you!

Snap Shot: StarTribune's online poll, UND Nickname (Updated)

Updated numbers: While not very scientific at all. It does show that Fighting Hawks and Roughriders (Rough Riders) are the most popular. (Link to Poll)  Thoughts? None of the above isn't a choice.

UND to Pay Cost of Attendance Stipends To all Scholarship Athletes

We now break away from our previously scheduled programming to bring you this breaking news. According to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald; the University of North Dakota has entered the arms race and will now pay Cost of attendance stipends To all of their scholarship athletes.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

UND will pay all scholarship athletes bonus stipends -- or full amended grant-in-aid as the school terms it -- beginning in 2016-17 season.

UND already offers the stipends to men's and women's hockey scholarship athletes.

The announcement comes six days after rival North Dakota State announced it would do the same.

UND estimates the cost at $3,400 for full scholarship athletes. Those on 90 percent scholarships would get 90 percent of the $3,400 and so on.

With their in-state rival North Dakota State University announcing last week that giving COA Stipends to their football team, UND had no choice but to jump into the arms race and make this happen. Or risk falling behind.  I am sure the other Big Sky schools will be thrilled with this decision or they now have to up the ante.

Some bloggers and news folks will grumble about public universities paying the COA's of student Athletes, but UND has no choice in the matter. If they want to remain competitive with the other Dakota schools, they have keep up with the Jonses.

Here's the official release from UND.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota director of athletics Brian Faison announced today that UND Athletics will expand the awarding of full amended grant-in-aid to all student-athletes on athletic aid beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.

UND Athletics already provides full amended grant-in-aids for men’s and women’s ice hockey.

The value of a full amended grant-in-aid at the University of North Dakota is based on the total cost of mandatory fees and tuition (online tuition not included), room (as determined by the University for double occupancy) and board (based on the “Unlimited Meal Plus Plan” rate) and books (as determined by the NCAA), plus personal expenses (including transportation) as outlined by the Student Financial Aid Office for athletes. The specific amount for each student-athlete is determined by his/her residency status (i.e. in-state, out-of-state, etc.) and living situation (i.e. with parents or on/off campus).

“This is a necessary step that empowers our coaches to continue recruiting high-caliber student-athletes. It puts our coaches on equal financial footing when competing against regional peer institutions for the best recruits,” said Faison.

Faison added that details regarding funding will be evaluated and finalized over the next several weeks.

UND Nickname: Who Should Vote?

We're finally seeing the light at the end the of the tunnel. This fall, the current UND students, current UND faculty, current UND staff, UND Retirees, UND Alumni, UND donors (including Champions Club members) (one vote per account) will vote for the new UND nickname. Finally, current season ticket holders to UND athletic events (one vote per account) will get to vote.

Mike Connor from Starkweather, N.D. thinks that tax payers should be able to vote.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

Because I did not attend UND, have never worked for UND and do not own a season ticket, I really have no business fretting about the university's choice of a new nickname. Or at least, that appears to be the opinion of UND President Kelley.

It is clear that Kelley has disenfranchised me and many other North Dakotans by barring our vote on the nickname, even though we are taxpaying residents of the state.

On the Flip side of the argument Rodney Iverson from Chandler, Ariz thinks that non-alumni shouldn't be able to vote.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

The issue I have is with allowing season ticket holders and donors who are not alumni to vote.

And the reason I have an issue with it is the fact that there are many people who can't afford to donate or to buy season tickets but still are huge UND fans.

They certainly would fall under the "stakeholders" group, but because they can't afford to buy their way into voting, they're being left out.

By the way, I am not in that category; I am an alumni and will get the chance to vote. Just call it the "bleeding heart liberal" in me that is finding an issue with this system.

The only fair solution would be to insist that non-alumni cannot vote, even if they hold season tickets or have given money to the university. I know this suggestion will anger some non-alumni, while others will cheer it.

I think UND President Robert O'Kelley is right on who can vote in the nickname process is correct. If UND let every one that wants to vote, vote, especially those with no skin in the game; imagine that results.

I think that President Kelley is also right to not let the trolls from other campuses and fan bases, with bad intentions vote in the process. Bravo President Kelley.

So, no. I don't think the "Tax Payers" in North Dakota should have a vote.

The Forum is at it Again

Today, the Fargo Forum is up to it's old tricks. Again, the Forum can't help itself, they have to write yet another OP, Ed, slamming UND fans. Ugh, we really don't need them inserting themselves in the nickname argument. Maybe they're trying to stoke the fires before the NDSU vs. UND football game. I think the Forum should spend more time talking about last Saturday's football game against the Griz.

First, we all know the University of North Dakota will never, ever be the Fighting Sioux again. There was a statewide vote and it failed.

This is a true statement.

Honestly, I don't know anyone that is actively advocating promoting that UND remain the Fighting Sioux. I do know there were a fair number of people that wanted UND to simply remain UND/North Dakota. With the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND would've never hosted the West Regional last March. Right?

Of course, I do know a lot of people that are upset with the NCAA and the way they handled the situation. That's why thousands of people liked the Facebook group the Sioux were Silenced.

Second, I understand why a lot of people are upset with President Dr. Robert O'Kelley taking the UND/North Dakota option out of the voting process. I can live with that, as long as the voting goes the way President Kelley says it will. Any usurping of the process from here will be unacceptable. As a measure of good faith, President Kelley should kill the Sundogs choice right now. This would help avoid a potentially very bad situation.

President Kelley made a decision and is sticking by it. I have to give him credit for having a backbone and a pair of stones. I am also not an advocate calling for his immediate resignation, he's gone in 2016, any way.

Per the Forum:

Those who cling desperately and foolishly to the University of North Dakota’s retired Fighting Sioux name and logo have taken to blaming the NCAA for bullying the university and the state of North Dakota into scrapping their precious moniker. It’s a strawman argument.

The NCAA is a membership organization. Moreover, its governance structure relies on college and university presidents, chancellors or their designees to make policy and otherwise oversee the organization.

Member schools agree to membership requirements, most of which are promulgated by representatives of the schools. Each of the several athletic divisions is represented on a separate board by member campus officials from appropriate divisions and conferences.

It’s a representative association, not an ivory tower dictatorship.

Here’s the kicker: Member schools agree to adhere to NCAA rules and regulations regarding standards for athletic teams. It is essentially a contract. If a school does not like what the NCAA requires, there is nothing forcing the school to remain a member. There are consequences, of course, because the NCAA’s influence over college sports is ubiquitous. That’s the way it is.

As I have said in the past, I believe that the replacement nickname selections aren't very good. There're a lot of problems with the five (5) remaining selections. North Stars is a bad choice and should be removed from consideration along with Sundogs.

Naming UND's sports teams, the Sundogs will not bring anyone together, or give us something to rally around. Sundogs will further divide the UND community. In the last decade, Sundogs was promoted by the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname crowd. If you don't believe me, look it up.

There are two replacement nicknames that are semi-decent and there are problems with one of them. The best choice is Rough Riders and in today's politically correct world, there's bound to be someone that will be offended with that nickname. So, if UND picks that nickname, UND might have to revisit the issue once again. Next to UND, I like that choice the best. Fighting Hawks is also acceptable. But again, you have to tread lightly selecting the logo. The handwringing do-gooders are going to be on guard.

Finally, while the nickname story has given me something to blog about; during what ended up being a very boring summer, news wise. Think about this, nothing happened this summer. However, I am growing tired of listening to people bicker with each other about the nickname. This has become a very toxic issue and I am ready to vote. Is the new nickname going to be as cool as Fighting Sioux? Not even close. I would compare this to going from staying in a five-star hotel to getting the last room in a Red Roof Inn. You can come up with your own analogies.

I know I am tired of hearing this and so are you.  It's time we move on together as a collective group, and heal together. Being at each others throats isn't healthy. Moreover, we need to do this together as a fan base and we don't need others from outside influencing our decision.

We will always be the University of North Dakota, personally, I have two degrees that say this much. I just hope when the voting is done and the dust has settled, UND isn't hamstrung with some stupid nickname that will continue to divide us long after my generation has left this earth. Go UND....

Enough with the Sundogs, It's time to reject this

This is why I get frustrated. Today, Marvin Asp of East Grand Forks, MN, wrote an article to the Grand Forks Herald. His letter has some seriously flawed logic. First, the guys has no idea what a Sundog is. Second, if Sundogs is the new nickname of the UND, I can say with much certainty, there will be a lot of backlash from fans and alumni.
Check it out, from the Grand Forks Herald:

And all of our teams need to be supported with that same passion. We look at our neighbors to the south and the success they have had in their athletic programs, and we see that we need to unite behind an identity, too.

Let's stop kicking and screaming and trying to hold on to that old security blanket, like the "Peanuts" character, Linus.

Now, the NCAA has thrown down another gauntlet. Let's take the high road and be good sports; most of us already are.

I do not know what the next name will be, but if I had to choose one, it would be Sundogs. But it would not be some cute and cuddly puppy. Instead, it would be the actual Sundog as seen in nature, with a wolf-pack silhouette.

The wolf pack stands for family and teamwork. As I said, we are a family; let's support each other, and move forward.

A Sundog is not a dog or a wolf. Again, look at the pictures, this is not something to use as a sports team nickname. It's also the preferred nickname replacement choice by the a UND campus group during the 1990's and early 2000's. Yeah, that's not going to cause any problems on campus.

Robert O. Kelley, " No UND/North Dakota option"

The University of North Dakota President Robert O. Kelley has spoken, UND/North Dakota won't be a nickname option when voting for a new nickname begins.

This could get ugly.

Honestly, I am not surprised by this decision. I wish that the UND/North Dakota option was one of the choices, but I am one person. Whether you like him or not, I think that President Kelley is in a tough spot. I am sure he had all sides lobbying him. The slight threat of NCAA sanctions probably also played a hand in this.

Here's the letter from President Kelley. I do like the fact that members of other schools or people that have poor intentions can't vote for the UND nickname. I applaud President Kelley for that. In other words, you have to have some skin in the game.

The voting process, which will be conducted completely online, will take place in mid-October and will extend for approximately one week. Precise dates will be announced later. Voting will be open to the following groups:
• Current UND Students
• Current UND Faculty
• Current UND Staff
• UND Retirees
• UND Alumni
• UND Donors (including Champions Club members) (one vote per account)
• Current season ticket holders to UND athletic events (one vote per account)
In order to be eligible to vote, individuals must be a UND retiree; a current faculty or staff member; a currently-enrolled student as of Sept. 30, 2015; or a donor or season ticket holder as of Aug. 31, 2015.

Shortly before the voting period begins, eligible voters will receive an email with voting instructions. Current UND students, faculty and staff will receive the emails at their UND (UND.edu) email address. Alumni, donors, retirees and all current season ticket holders must confirm their emails through a process that will be communicated soon. Eligible voters who fall into more than one of the above categories—such as a staff member who is also an alumnus—may only vote once, and any identified multiple votes will be voided.

The online voting process will be conducted by Qualtrics, a third-party survey technology provider with more than 7,000 customers in 75 countries. In 2014, Qualtrics customers sent over one billion surveys worldwide.

During the voting process, eligible voters will cast one vote for a single option on the ballot. Eligible voters will choose one of five nickname options:

Fighting Hawks
Nodaks
North Stars
Roughriders
Sundogs

If any of the proposed nicknames receives a majority of more than 50 percent of the votes, that name will be determined to be the new nickname for the University of North Dakota.

In the event that no single nickname receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff vote will be held between the two top vote-getters shortly after the initial vote.

Said UND President Robert Kelley: “In deciding the final list of names to include in the final vote, I have reviewed the recommendations of the Nickname Committee, the additional input received from a recent student poll, and input from many other individual students (including student athletes), faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have contacted me. I have considered all this input carefully and, in determining the final voting list, have concluded that it is in the best long-term interest of the University not to use ‘North Dakota’ as the University’s official nickname.” President Kelley added, “As I have noted many times, North Dakota is not a nickname—it is a reflection of our pride in who we are. We have been North Dakota—UND—for more than 130 years, and we always will be. The Nickname Committee has delivered a list of five prospective nicknames with the potential to add value to our already-existing North Dakota identity and evoke the pride and spirit that we all feel for our University and our State. I respect and support the process the Committee used, and the extensive public input they gathered. In making this decision, I also respect their final recommendations.”

President Kelley also received extensive input concerning the people who should be involved in the voting process. One important consideration in the decision is the importance of verifying voter identity to prevent fraud. Each eligible voter’s identity and connection to UND will be confirmed.

Even more importantly, noted President Kelley, “We have appreciated the opportunity this past year to gather feedback and ensure representation from all interested parties across the state and across the country. This was accomplished through broad stakeholder representation on the two teams that worked on this process. It was also accomplished by gathering feedback from last fall's town hall meetings, an online survey, and the month-long nickname comment process conducted by the Nickname Committee this past April. It is now time to allow the final step of this process to be undertaken by those individuals with the most direct ties to UND—students, alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, donors, and season ticket holders.”

Information About Email Delivery of Voting Instructions:

Eligible voters will soon receive voting instructions. While students, faculty and staff will already have a confirmed means of identification through their UND email (UND.edu), retirees, alumni, donors and current season ticket holders will need to ensure that their emails are current in their respective databases in order to be able to vote. The weeks prior to the vote will allow these groups the opportunity to do that.

Current season ticket holders (non-Champions Club): Contact the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office at 701.777.0855 between the hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, or email tickets@theralph.com any time between now and October 1, 2015 to ensure that your correct email is on file.

UND alumni, retirees, and donors: Additional information will soon be sent explaining how to confirm email addresses. For alumni, this information will be sent via the Alumni Review and through a direct mail.

Swamp Rabbits > Sundogs

As we go through the nickname process at the University of North Dakota, why is that other places can come up with better names thane we can? Seriously, according to multiple blogs and Internet sources, ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors have changed their name — starting next year, they’ll be the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. That nickname is absolutely genius. They haven an awesome logo, too. In my opinion, Swamp Rabbits is > Sundogs.

Today, the ECHL's Greenville Road Warriors turned into the SWAMP RABBITS. @SwampRabbits! http://t.co/0nA9ZRfJiT pic.twitter.com/48r3UVNL3H

— theScore (@theScore) August 26, 2015

Grand Forks Herald: Don't saddle next president with UND nickname issue

Today, Tom Dennis of the Grand Forks Herald has posted a pretty interesting article. I think Dennis makes some really good points. Whether we like it or not, this issue eventually needs to be solved. UND President Kelley needs to decide if UND is going to be simply North Dakota or one of the five nickname choices.

That being said, Kelley needs to involve the students, alumni and stakeholders in this decision. If not, this is going to fester long after he is gone. The key word is involved.
Per Tom Dennis of the Herald:

On Saturday, a group of protesters gathered at University Park in Grand Forks, and among their calls was for Kelley to immediately resign. The fact that Kelley is retiring next year isn't good enough, they said. Because the final round of nickname decisions should be made by Kelley's successor—not Kelley himself.

We disagree. Moreover, we think Kelley absolutely is the right person to be making nickname decisions these days—not because he's Robert Kelley, but because he's the longstanding and experienced president of UND.

And that's the executive who should be making nickname calls at this point.

In contrast, the next president will be a beginner in all things UND.

And more than any other issue at UND, the nickname issue is one that a beginner simply should not decide. Because in order to make smart decisions on the nickname—one of the most complicated and divisive issues in the history of the state—you've got to have a full understanding of the decades-long background of the issue.

Fargo Forum Editorial: UND, don't pander to protesters'

They must be bored in Fargo, ND? They really can't help themselves. Must not have anything to report.

Per Fargo Forum:

First, they want the university’s list of selections for a new UND team name to include “North Dakota.” It’s a transparent ploy to somehow retain some iteration of “Fighting Sioux,” which has been retired.

Second, they want the immediate resignation of UND President Robert Kelley because by their assessment he has presided over a name-change process that has not been responsive to their concerns. What a crock. If ever there was a process that has been painfully long and over-the-top inclusive, it’s been the university’s name-change saga.

But none of that matters to a small, but noisy cabal of unreconstructed “Fighting Sioux” fans. No matter what the eventual choice is, no matter what sort of consensus is achieved, no matter how many voices have been part of the process, they will not accept the inevitable. It makes no sense for Kelley and the university to continue to pander to them. They had their shot, they lost. Whatever they do now is sideshow.

The arrogant contention that “the Sioux have been silenced” is so obviously false as to be cartoonish. First, the “silence” made loud headlines for years, and still is. Second, the history of the moniker debate is replete with pro-Fighting Sioux arguments, some cogent, others offensive. That the case was weak and ultimately failed is the reality that some arguers refuse to accept.