Isn't it intriguing how outlooks change?
When this whole ordeal started, it was the NCAA and the tribes that were the "enemy" and the SBoHE and UND Admin the White Knights.
HA! Looks like the enemy was not outside our own tent but in it!
The Tribes wanted their say. They almost got it. The SBoHE took their say away from them.
Where does this put each party?
NCAA - Brand is laughing from his grave. Franklin is smiling because he surely believes that if UND had just caved initially, then UND would have not been in such a predicament (not true) and now he gets to say "I warned you" AND get his and Brand's way.
SBoHE - They get their moment of "glory." They'll forever be remembered in both a well spun positive light "Bringing enlightened thought and conscious compassion to an embattled and beleaguered populace through the elimination of a caustic reminder of such a plight" and a negative one NDSU and its debacle. In truth, they got their glory. They got their names in the papers. They'll be remembered in one way or another.
UND Admin - In truth, they could fight it and look bad to those who can fire them, they can be indifferent and tempt negative response from the people who can fire them, or they can support the SBoHE blindly and be lauded by the State Board as champions of cooperation and collaboration. They are reprehensible, but they are politicians so... we should've known this was going to be the path they chose.
The Tribes - Screwed. HA! History repeats itself. They're now ignored, sentenced to a plight that could mean less public awareness, and no longer have any leverage for any sort of vocal power outside of the reservation. AND it is not of their doing. So, they get the added "bonus" of being lumped into the SBoHE as the enemy because they "Started it."
Talk about a clusterfu**
Where do we go from here?
Well, I've always been a fan of the University of North Dakota Fighting Cavalry, as the 1st Cavalry Division has part of its history and makeup in North Dakota, and not just the Custer reference.
It sounds cool. It has no Native American imagery or symbolism. And since the military has always been a part of North Dakota and Grand Forks (despite that being Air Force really) it would be really nice.
We can keep kelly green and have almost a camo color scheme. Or we can go into the face of everyone and go Union Blue, Gold, and White or Gray.
Or we can go with no nickname at all. I like this one. PLUS we have the unis already made up (admittedly, this is a women's hockey shot but I can't find a better picture).
Then we get rid of that statue outside of the Ralph. Instead, put up a statue of Teddy Roosevelt with some "inspiring" quotes of his... such as:
"I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn't inquire too closely into the case of the tenth. The most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian." - Theodore Roosevelt
In conclusion, when I do think about the NCAA, I think of the hand gesture "You're #1." However, I give them that gesture without using my thumb, pinky, index, or ring fingers. Think about it. As for the nickname, I'm going to see how it plays out, and move on accordingly. I'll still be a fan of UND hockey.
