Putting the wraps on the season. Boston College Eagles soar yet again...

I was watching the B.C. and UW title game last night and it was eerily similar to the UND and B.C. game that took place on April 10th, 2008 during a NCAA Frozen Four Semifinal game where UND was spanked, thrashed or run over 6-1 by the freewheeling B.C. Eagles. Last night was no different; the Badgers were a step behind or left chasing the Eagles all night. While I am not using the ice as an excuse for why the Badgers lost, I would have like to see this game on a traditional venue and not in some sweaty football stadium. As I have said in the past I am not a fan of hockey games played outdoors or on nontraditional places. I have had enough of the Winter Classics; just give me more hockey and less gimmick.

As a fan of college hockey I was disappointed with the ice conditions at Ford Field, they had to know going into this game that this was going to be a problem. I am going to go ahead and call the ice conditions an EPIC fail for the NCAA. Sure the NC$$ will look at this as a win because they sold 37,000 seats for the championship game but the fans were cheated because of sloppy ice and that is unacceptable for a NCAA championship. I can't except horrible ice conditions, the NC$$ has to be better and demand perfection. The fans deserve it.

The person that decided that the Frozen Four should be in a football stadium should be slapped, let's not do that again. Pucks were bouncing all over the place and it affected the flow and quality of the game.

Questions going forward

First off I am not a fan of the two week break between the regional championship and the Frozen Four. Having to wait an extra week is a momentum killer and I would rather see the week off after the conference championships. Here is why I say that, the WCHA regular season is a meat grinder and the extra week off between the conference tourney and the NCAA playoffs would be more beneficial than the week off between the NCAA regional’s and the Frozen Four.

I don’t like having teams that back into the NCAA tourney waiting to play a team that played in their conference tourney the week before. Think about it, how many times have we seen a team that took a week off because they lost in their first round matchup win their first NCAA tourney game? Is it really fair that a team that was the loser of their conference tourney be rewarded with a week to rest up for their first round match up in the NCAA tourney?

I also don’t buy the argument that if the NCAA hockey tourney was on the same week as the Final Four it would cut into the basketball tourney attendance or whatever lame excuse the NC$$ uses for having the Frozen Four a week later. Hockey is a niche sport and you might be drawing from two different fan bases and demographics. I personally wouldn’t walk across the street to watch a free basketball game and I didn’t watch the Final Four. Butler who?

So what do we gleam from this weekend results? I don’t know if we figured out anything. Boston College proved yet again that they are the best team in college hockey, when they had to be. Boston College loaded up on little trolls speedsters under 5’9” and were able to break race through around the vaunted Wisconsin Defense. In the end Wisconsin's goaltending let them down, if Wisconsin had a weakness and there wasn't many, it was their goal tending duo of Scott Gudmandson (20-5-4, 2.33 GAA and SV % .913) and Brett Bennett (8-6-0, 2.82 GAA SV% .885) this was not a team that had a Brian Elliot to bail them out.

In retrospect I think this season college hockey was down compared to years past. While the WCHA was again the best conference all season long, the regular season again took a toll on the teams at the end of the season. The McNaughton Cup proved to be an anchor as the last three teams went 0-9 from the Final Five on. I am thinking that maybe they should send the cup back to Michigan Tech and let it sit in a display case on the scrap heap of history. Maybe teams will decline it from now on.

Mike Jacobs; "UND nickname dispute exposes racial attitudes"

If you haven't read this marvelous (yes I am being sarcastic) opinion piece by Mike Jacobs, our beloved Editor of the Grand Forks Herald. I have posted his article from today addition of the Grand Forks Herald. Jacobs admits what we already knew, he is anti logo. Say it isn’t so. I also don’t believe him when he says that he isn't celebrating. Yeah, oh ok Mike! Again, I must ask myself why I am paying money for your miserable newspaper. That’s $15.75 a month that could be better spent on other things. It's not like we need to read your worthless opinion pieces, there are other media options available to us. The only reason I read the Herald anymore is because of the sports coverage. I am seriously thinking about canceling the paper for good.

The more I think about last week’s decision to retire UND’s nickname and logo, the more discouraged I become.

I’ve been opposed to use of “The Fighting Sioux” since students constructed grotesque snow sculptures that depicted Indian people to celebrate something called “King Kold Karnival” back in the 1960s — long before the days of political correctness. In the ’70s, the coffee shop in the Student Union used cups decorated with a caricature of “Sammy Sioux.” There were worse offenses against human dignity — including enthusiasts who did mock dances dressed in loin cloths and little more, whooping and hollering and pretending to be Indians — or what they thought represented Indians. Something similar happened a couple of years ago, when a sorority hosted a party with a cowboys-and-Indians theme.

Clearly, it seems to me, the nickname and logo have long encouraged thoughtless stereotyping of Indian people.

Over the years, I’ve taken quite a lot of heat for this point of view. In fact, I’d say that nothing I’ve written about in more than 30 years at the Herald has brought me so much abuse.

So I should be celebrating last week’s decision to end use of the nickname and logo.

But I’m not celebrating at all.

Instead, it seems to me that the decision only underscores the indifference that North Dakotans feel toward American Indian people.

It says that we just don’t care.

If we cared what Indian people thought, we would have engaged them in this discussion a long time ago — way before the current members of the Board of Higher Education took office.

But we didn’t.

If we cared, we would allow American Indian people to be heard on their own terms and in their own time.

But we won’t, if last week’s decision by the Board of Higher Education stands.

Indifference, more than any other thing, has produced the result that confronts us now.

The campaign against the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo began as a fight against racism, so the activists said.

It ends — if indeed it has ended — exposing racial attitudes in a way that doesn’t flatter the state nor — this must be said — critics of the nickname.

Critics of the nickname argued that there shouldn’t be votes in the state’s Indian communities. One letter published in the Herald last year argued that results of an election at Spirit Lake should be disregarded because Indian communities operate on consensus — even though tribal councils have been elected for more than a century, far longer than nations in which the United States has tried to build democracy (including such countries as Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention Japan and Germany).

To suggest that Indian people shouldn’t be heard about such a straightforward issue is dismissive in a very disturbing way. It suggests that we white folk know better.

But of course we don’t.

The truth about North Dakota is that it is a rigidly segregated place, and most white North Dakotans like it that way.

Doubt it?

Have a look through the comments about Herald stories posted on our Web site.

Retaliation is a frequent theme. UND should end its programs for Indian students, for example.

And this despite the apparent truth that it is that white society that has failed to engage Indian people rather than the other way around.

So what’s the way out of this dilemma?

That’s far from clear.

In Indian country, both supporters and opponents of the nickname have indicated that they will never give up. Erich Longie, an opponent, said as much in a letter published on April 4, a week ago. Steve Fool Bear, a nickname supporter, said the same in a letter published Saturday in the Herald.

Their message is the same: Listen to us.

But of course that’s not what the Board of Higher Education — representing us white folks — wants to do, not then and not now.

It could be too late to save the nickname, which is a small thing after all, and of little consequence.

What we urgently need is to build a society here that includes all of us.

Are we really interested in that?

Frankly, in the last week any evidence that we really are has been mighty hard to find.[Grand Forks Herald written on 4-1-2010]

Matt "the Hack" Cooke gets what he deserves...

This really makes me very happy and it was a long time coming. I would imagine that Boston Bruins star forward Marc Savard is probably pleased as well. Too bad Savard's own teammates didn't do this the night of the dirty check in question. There is an old saying, 'live by the sword you die by the sword,' eventually if you play a dirty brand of hockey the hand of justice will catch up with you. Evander Kane should be given an award for finally doing to Matt Cooke what he had coming for a very long time. In fact we should make Kane the player of the week.
[Props]

Scott Hartnell vs Daniel Girardi

This is another one of these hits where a guy lays a legal, awesome check by (Scott Hartnell) on an opposition player (Artem Anisimov) and then his teammate Daniel Girardi challenges Hartnell to a fight. My first response is what a bunch of cry babies and hitting is part of the game. I mean seriously I can see fighting someone for a dirty hit but not a legal clean hit. I guess it's illegal to check the Russian born player Artem Anisimov?

Then Scott Hartnell gets worked wearing his shield of course, notice he took his helmet off and carried it to the penalty bench.

Steve Fool Bear - In North Dakota, ‘we are all Fighting Sioux’ - Links on story

In case you haven't seen this article that was in today Grand Forks Herald, this opinion piece kind of speaks for itself. Mr Fool Bear is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Nation.

FORT YATES, N.D. — Who is responsible for the possible loss of the UND Fighting Sioux nickname and logo? Was it the anti-logo few? Was it the State Board of Higher Education? Was it the president of UND? Was it the Standing Rock tribal council?

Or was it us?

A great coach once told me, “Evil can flourish when good men do nothing.” The blame lies on us all — the vast number of Fighting Sioux supporters who stood by, idling, apathetic and fearful of racist and sell-out labels, and let it happen.

The divisive few gained their foothold and now have disrupted our progressive society.

The great majority of both Sioux nations and North Dakotans support the use of the logo, yet it will be eliminated soon if nothing is done.

Although many anti-logo activists may view this as a victory and the near end of their fight, I can tell them as being one the thousands of Standing Rock tribal members whose civil rights have been trampled on that this fight has just begun.

The movement has been successful in its petty cause of removing a logo, but at what cost?

Indian people’s civil rights once again have been ignored, not only by the Standing Rock tribal leaders and the higher education board, but by anti-nickname activists as well.

Not one anti-nickname activist stood up for the real issues this debate revealed. Not one protested or screamed for his or her people’s rights.

To the contrary, the activists fought tooth and nail to make sure those voices were silenced — all due to a silly idea of some obscure Indian victory.

Political correctness has nothing to do with Sioux values; the activists either had forgotten or ignored the fact that we represent the exact opposite. But those whom the activists ignored will not forget.

It’s now the responsibility of all the people of North Dakota, both Indian and non-Indian, to quit talking and start doing. This is the last act of the show; who will be in it?

It’s amazing what one phone call or letter can accomplish. Imagine what 10,000 can do.

The name and logo will never die, because the real issues concerning them never were dealt with.

The people of Standing Rock will be heard one way or another.

If ever there was a time for North Dakotans to come together in unity, this is it. Common sense and democracy will prevail, but it will take everyone’s efforts.

The truth will be revealed: The Sioux people are neither victims, hypocrites nor the enemies of North Dakota. It is the 21st century, and “We are all Fighting Sioux.”

Steve Fool Bear

Fool Bear is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Links to the story - Developing ...

Wall Street Journal; University Loses Sioux Mascot War

Fan House; University of North Dakota's 'Fighting Sioux' Nickname, Logo Retired

Grand Forks Herald; Nickname fans hold rally at REA

Dickinson Press; Local have mixed reactions over UND nickname

Bismarck Tribune; UND campus resigned to the end of ‘Sioux country’

Huffington Post; North Dakota Retires Fighting Sioux Nickname

Post Bulletin; UND loses Fighting Sioux nickname

ESPN.COM; Court, board decide to retire nickname

MPR NEWS; UND to stop using Fighting Sioux nickname by August

Fargo Forum; Gipp applauds decision to retire nickname

The Chronicle of Higher Education; North Dakota Supreme Court Rejects Appeal by 'Fighting Sioux' Supporters

New York Times; Fighting Sioux Nickname Retired

KXnet.com; Fighting Sioux Reaction

Fargo Hockey Examiner; University of North Dakota "Fighting Sioux" nickname retired

Bismarck Tribune; Former Sioux James Massen weighs in on the name change

Bismarck's James Massen, who played hockey for UND, agreed.

"It's where I wanted to go since I was 5 years old," Massen said. "Being a member of the Fighting Sioux was an absolute honor and a privilege. ... I was hoping and praying it would never change."

Bismarck Tribune; Ruling on Fighting Sioux nickname, logo ruling disappoints governor

NHL.COM; Travis Zajac speaks up about the Fighting Sioux name and logo.

Travis Zajac played two seasons at the University of North Dakota, and was disappointed to hear that the team will be changing its "Fighting Sioux" nickname. The Associated Press reported Friday that a state Supreme Court ruling and Board of Higher Education decision have retired the name for good. The school will stop using the name in August.

"It kind of [stinks] because it’s a great name, it’s been the school’s name for a while," Zajac said. "I felt proud wearing the Fighting Sioux jersey and carrying that tradition. There’s a lot of tradition behind the hockey team and the school. I guess for that to be done it kind of [stinks]."

Zach Parise is also an alumnus of UND, which has seven national titles in men's ice hockey, and 14 WCHA championships. They have used the Fighting Sioux nickname since 1930.

Sioux Nickname: Blais Former UND coach upset with nickname decision

Former UND Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dean Blais is less than impressed with the recent events at the University of North Dakota...

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The coach who led the University of North Dakota hockey team to two national championships says when he learned of the decision to retire the school's Fighting Sioux nickname it was one of the saddest days of his life.

Current Nebraska-Omaha head coach Dean Blais (blayz) says he thinks the nickname was used with pride. And he says hockey fans around the country who know nothing about North Dakota know who the Fighting Sioux are.

Blais coached the Sioux for a decade. He has an extensive resume that includes stops in the NHL and with the U.S. Olympic team. He also was a good friend of the late Ralph Engelstad, a UND hockey alum and benefactor who supported the nickname. Engelstad paid for UND's hockey arena, which carries his name.

Blais says he thinks that if Engelstad were still alive, the Fighting Sioux nickname would have survived.

UND Athletic department press conference on Sioux name

If you haven't seen the press conference that was held today here it is. This is sad day in our school's history, we are talking about dropping a logo and nickname that has been with my/our school for 80 years. You can see that the UND coaches are not happy, even the ones that haven't been here that long.

ND Board of Higher Education Pulled the Rug Out From Under the Standing Rock Petiton Process

Cross posted from way over on Say Anything Blog.



Here's the proof that the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education hurried up to "drop" (in Richie Smith's words) the name before the Standing Rock Tribe had a chance to hold their referendum.

Scott Hennen had Archie Fool Bear on the radio this morning. Fool Bear is the one that's been spearheading the effort to have a vote of Tribal Members. The Sioux name has widespread support on the Standing Rock Tribe. As Fool Bear says several of the communities on the reservation have had referendums that were overwhelmingly supportive of the name.

It was reported that the ruling body of the Standing Rock Tribe refused to act on the petition. Fool Bear says that's not the case at all. Asking for a referendum via petition is unprecedented and the process needs to be worked out and policies set before they can proceed. It's not surprising that we were misinformed by the local press. The Grand Forks Herald has been most vehement in their opposition to the Sioux name.

Fool Bear emailed the State Board of Higher Education so they knew that the referendum was still in the works. The State Board of Higher Education knew they had to act quick to discourage that referendum from occurring or to make the point moot if it did happen.

I'd like to ask the Board of Higher Education why they don't want to let the Standing Rock people have a say. I don't know what they say, but I'm sure the real reason is that the Sioux name opponents want the blame for dropping (Richie Smiths words.) the name to be put on the Indian Tribes. They've been pulling that crap ever since it started. The truth is that our neighbors have always supported our respectful use of the Sioux name for our identity.

The elitists in the University and on the State Board of Higher Education are wrong for this action and wrong for trying to push the blame on the Standing Rock Tribe.

Jody Hodgson; Nothing will be changing in Ralph Engelstad Arena if general manager Jody Hodgson has anything to say about it.

I have to say after reading this article I must admit that I am big fan of REA General Manager Jody Hodgson. Finally! There is someone with some back bone and balls to make a stand.

Nothing will be changing in Ralph Engelstad Arena if general manager Jody Hodgson has anything to say about it.

Despite Thursday’s ruling by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education to begin retiring the Fighting Sioux name and logo, the privately owned arena — with an estimated 3,000 Sioux logos in it — might remain in its current state.

Speaking from Chicago, Hodgson again debunked the urban legend that there’s a secret document from Ralph Engelstad calling for the closing of the 11,640-seat venue if the nickname ever changes.

In fact, Hodgson says it is his wish that nothing changes at all.

“The first thing I have to do is fully analyze and understand what’s happened today,” Hodgson said. “I’ll have to discuss this with the board (of directors) as well. But, if I have anything to do with it, nothing in the building will ever change. Nobody will ever be allowed to change anything.

“It would be the utmost sign of disrespect if anybody ever tries to deface that building. If I have anything to say on the matter, that will never happen. Never.”

It is unknown whether the NCAA would grant Ralph Engelstad Arena a men’s hockey regional or a women’s Frozen Four if the thousands of logos stay. But Hodgson said the arena won’t make any decisions based on the NCAA’s thoughts.

“I could care less,” Hodgson said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to stand up for what’s right.”

Hodgson, a member of the board of directors at the arena, said he and members of the Engelstad Foundation were “deeply disappointed and deeply saddened” by the State Board’s decision.

“It’s obvious that it was never about how the Native Americans felt,” Hodgson said. “If they wanted to honor the Native Americans, they would have honored their wishes. Nobody has ever proven that they don’t want the name and logo. [Grand Forks Herald]

Fighting Sioux Protest Picture at the Ralph: 3:15 Friday!

There is a Facebook page that's announcing a get together of Sioux Fans at the Ralph Engelstad Arena for a protest picture at 3:15 this afternoon.

If you can make it GREAT. We need to tell the PC crowd at the State Board of Higher Education that they're rotten wrong not to give UND Sioux nickname supporters on the Standing Rock Reservation time to force a vote.

Championship Match-Up (by Sioux 7)

Well both the semi-final games turned into blow-outs. As Barry Melrose said, hopefully we will see a better contest on Saturday.

The Wisconsin drubbing of RIT is not too much of a shocker, poor Cinderella really got a beat down. When I got home from work and turned on the game, it was already 4-0 UW, and then it 5-0 about mid-way through the second, and I was off for a bicycle ride. When I returned home it was just about over, 8-1 Bucky destroys the Tigers.

Then I watched the UM-BC game, BC scored a PP goal with about 90 seconds left in the first period, to take a 1-0 lead. It was close until the second period when the Eagles scored a pair of quick goals to take a 3-0 lead. At that point, I was thinking Miami was done for, and it only got worse. The RedHawks could not find an answers to stop the small speedy Eagle players. The RedHawks scored to make it 3-1, but would eventually give up four more goals, and lose 7-1, ouch.

The Championship Game

Boston College Eagles (28-10-3) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (28-10-4)

Well looking at the records you cannot get much closer than these two teams, so hopefully it will be a close game. I hope it's a close game, watching blow-outs isn't fun, especially when its not your team handing it out. Both teams have Friday off to rest, however with the beatings they delivered, they both should be fresh for Saturday's game. It looks like it will be offense against offense in the championship game, so lets hope for a bunch of goals. Of course now they will prove me wrong and we will all end up watching a 1-0 or 2-1 game. I will be pulling for the Badgers in this game, must always go with the WCHA in tournament games. My final prediction of the year, WISCONSIN WINS 5-3.

North Dakota Board of Higher Education Ignores Will of the People

Cross posted from Say Anything Blog.

There is not a single symbol that this community supports more than the Fighting Sioux Logo. Support for the logo in the Grand Forks/UND community is overwhelming. It seems that every third person you see is wearing some item of Fighting Sioux Clothing.

But the politically correct have always said it was offensive to the Indian Tribal members that live here and are our neighbors. That lie was exposed last year when the Spirit Lake tribe voted 2-1 in support of UND continuing to honor the Sioux Tribe.

Support for the Sioux name on the Standing Rock Tribe also appears strong. Over 1000 members signed a petition this year to keep the name. That's more than half of the number of people that voted in the last election the tribe had. However members of the Standing Rock ruling body are refusing to hold an election despite the strong support for the Sioux name on the Tribe.

I have no doubt that if the Board had give Sioux Logo supporters on the Standing Rock Reservation time they would have gotten their vote. Clearly their hurry up and change the name action yesterday was a way of keeping the Standing Rock Tribal members from having their say.

All along there's been a small number of elitists that have wanted to change the name. Of course these people are gutless. They've been trying to promote racial decisiveness in order to advance their agenda. That's resulted in a certain element saying that if the name goes then so should all of the programs at the school that are there to encourage education of Native Americans.

Yesterday, hours after the ND Supreme Court ruled that the Board of Higher Education could change UND's nickname they hurried up and did so.

The Board of Higher Education's hurry up action is meant to give the blame to the Standing Rock Tribe for us throwing away 80 years of tradition. Let's not let them duck the blame. It's not the fault of the Indians that are our neighbors. It's the fault of a few pointy head elites that we're going to have to explain this to our kids that have grown up adoring the name.

Some will say that this is a business decision because UND can't play in the Summit league until this is resolved. That's BS. For one thing the issue had to be resolved by the end of the year due to the settlement with the NCAA. (More on that in later posts.) For another the Summit league isn't going to increase revenues. Games with Indiana-Perdue just isn't going to pull the fans in.

Instead this decision is going to cost the school millions of dollars in Alumni dollars. (In fact rumors have it that prior dithering over the name has already costs the school hundreds of millions of dollars.) For myself, I'll continue to support the hockey program as I have in the past. But the academic side of the school won't get a penny of mine, ever. I'm sure I'm not the only alumni entering their peak earning years that feel the same way.

If the tribes didn't support the use of the name I could see letting it go. But that's never been the case. The tribes encouraged UND to adopt the names and at least the membership has always been supportive of the name. The public by a 2 or 3 to 1 majority want to keep the name. What ever happened to the majority rule? Does it go out the window because a few elitist pinheads think they're better than all of us.

The Board of Higher Education needs to hear our displeasure with them. Write them a letter. Don't swear don't make threats. Just tell them you're unhappy with them. Board members are appointed by the Governor. He needs to hear from you as well.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education are inept. They screwed up their oversight responsibilities at NDSU and now they've screwed over the UND community. Shame on them.

Marc Cheverie signs with Florida Panthers

The Denver Pioneers lost another player as their all-star goalie Marc Cheverie will forgo his final year of college eligibility to sign a professional contract with the Florida Panthers.

Players leaving early in the WCHA

Denver Pioneers(3)
Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators
Marc Cheverie, Jr, G, Florida Panthers

Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves(2)
Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr, G, Stockton (ECHL)

Minnesota Gophers(1)
Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs(1)
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks

SUNRISE, FL – Florida Panthers General Manager Randy Sexton announced today that the club has agreed to terms on an entry level contract with G Marc Cheverie.

“We are very pleased to have reached a contract agreement with Marc,” said Sexton. “He is very talented prospect who we believe will have a bright future in our organization. He has gained tremendous experience while playing at the University of Denver and we look forward to his continued growth and development as a member of the Florida Panthers.”

Cheverie, 23, was recently selected as one of the top ten candidates for the 2010 Hockey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player, after finishing the season as the national leader in wins (24), save percentage (.937) and shutouts (6). The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native posted a 24-4-3 overall mark while playing for the University of Denver this season, helping his team earn the No. 1 ranking in the Division I standings.

The four-time Red Baron WCHA Defensive Player of the Week claimed the WCHA goaltending title with a 2.05 goals against average in league play. Cheverie is the sixth Pioneer to earn league MVP honors, joining Jerry Walker (1961), Keith Magnuson (1968), Ron Grahame (1973), Dallas Gaume (1986) and Matt Carle (2006). Cheverie was also honored as the WCHA Player of the Year, College Hockey News Player of the Year and Inside College Hockey (INCH) Goaltender of the Year.

Cheverie was drafted by Florida in the seventh round (193rd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

It's all about the Summit league

I am sure people all over the country are inspired by UND President Robert Kelley’s leadership, yeah probably not. I can’t believe he is this bold. Basically he sold our sole for the Summit League. If you think I am wrong check out his statement quoted below. It's all about the Summit league. We are changing our name for a chance to play Oakland University in basketball. Yippee!

Way to fight for the Fighting Sioux name. Oh that's right; you didn't go to UND so you have no emotional attachment to the Fighting Sioux name. It’s time to get a president that has ties to North Dakota and the University of North Dakota. Enough of the stuffed shirts that have no connection to the University. I would be willing to bet that Kelly was giddy as hell when he made that statement. I would actually waited on that declaration.

Kelley said that people "all over the country are watching to see how we handle this," including thousands of UND alumni.

Noting that many alumni are passionate about the logo and nickname, he said they also have proven to be "very resilient."

Kelley said he will call the commissioner of the Summit League Friday morning "and say the board finally acted."

He said he hopes that "puts us into the game (Summit League membership) no later than 2013." [Grand Forks Herald]

Press Conference tomorrow on the Nickname.

MAYVILLE, N.D. -- The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has decuded to retire the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

The State Board directed UND President Dr. Robert Kelley to begin the transition process immediately. However, UND's athletics teams will remain the Fighting Sioux for the 2010-11 season.

UND athletics will hold a press conference at 9 a.m. on Friday to address today's decision. Attendees will include UND director of athletics Brian Faison, men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol, football coach Chris Mussman, men's basketball coach Brian Jones and women's basketball Gene Roebuck.

Edit: Sioux name is gone

After reading this article and a couple of twitter posts that I saw on my way home from work I am not a happy camper. So the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education would like to kill a historic nickname so the University of North Dakota can get into apply to some mediocre athletic conference that may or may not accept us. This is the same conference that had an unimpressive 3122 fans show up to their conference final in men's basketball tourney. Yeah! Where do I sign up.

I am so sick and tired of these handing wringing do good politically correct morons who put their noses where they don’t belong. Political correctness is ruining this country and will be our down fall.

MAYVILLE, N.D. -- UND's Fighting Sioux logo and nickname appear headed toward retirement, the president of the State Board of Higher Education said here today.

Richie Smith said the North Dakota Supreme Court's decision earlier today affirming a lower court action clears the way for the board to revert to a decison it made in May 2009 to retire the nickname.

"The action we took in Dickinson stands," Smith said.

He cautioned, however, that another board member still could ask to revisit the issue. The board is meeting at Mayville State University and working primarily through budget and construction issues.

The logo issue had been on the board's agenda at the start of today's meeting, but board member Grant Shaft of Grand Forks merely reported that he was waiting to hear what the state Supreme Court issued for an opinion. That opinion came a few hours later, but board members initially inclined to wait until a meeting later this month or in May to act.

But after a break in the meeting this afternoon, Smith said his reading of the situation is that Chancellor Bill Goetz "will write a letter to (UND President Robert) Kelley and advise him that he can start the transition" away from the logo and nickname.

President Kelly is not a strong leader

It's very apparent that the University of North Dakota doesn't have a strong leader in their president Robert Kelly and not a strong leader or a very good candidate to lead UND going forward. I still believe that the University of North Dakota is a great school and needs to have someone from that is from North Dakota to lead the top University in the state of North Dakota. Bellow is an example of Kelly's poor leadership.

Kelley's reaction

UND President Robert Kelley said that his discussions with members of the board suggest that “once the court gives a ruling, once the board has heard all the voices that need to be heard,” the board is likely to make a decision.

“That could be as early as May,” he said. “It’s a very complex issue. It’s a social issue, an economic issue, a political issue, a league access issue, and the board is being very deliberate.”

Kelley said the controversy over the nickname “continues to concern me. The management of that controversy is becoming more and more difficult.”

Asked for specific examples, he said it is affecting the university’s relationship with donors. “Many people feel passionate either way, and the management of that is difficult.

“Many of our students are uncomfortable, too. It’s very polarizing. Many of our faculty and staff feel that way, too.”

Kelley said he’s proud of how UND student athletes have handled the long-running controversy.

“They want to compete,” he said. “It’s not the name and logo that drive their competitiveness.”

Kelley has appointed Robert Boyd, UND vice president for student and outreach services, chairman of a planning task force to look at all issues that could arise with either retention of the logo or its retirement.

Kelley said he is not frustrated by the time the logo issue has consumed.

“The time it has taken has been necessary,” he said. “The tribes are independent nations, and they have their government processes.

“But I don’t know that there are any surprises left” that should further delay action. “It just requires a decision. There are not any opinions left. Anything that could be said has been said, and it’s time to reach a resolution and move on.”

It also appears that there is some movement on the Standing Rock Nation before the rug was in the process of being pulled from under their feet. This was a post that was posted on Sioux Sports by JLP157.

I've been in contact with Archie Fool Bear for a while about this. While I can't write everything in the space here, here is a brief summary of what happened yesterday... And I'm paraphrasing, trying to get it right....

Apparently the petition wasn't acted upon because the tribe doesn't have a policy in place to address a referendum by petition. Yesterday they met with the council again, and the in-house attorney Brent Kary drafted a temporary policy for this referendum. Chairman Murphy then gave the Secretary of the tribe a directive to have the Judicial Committee get a policy in place so the petition can be acted on, and will call a special meeting next Tuesday.

AFB also said he was drafting an email to all of the SBoHE members, addressing the petition and the policy that is needed, and suggesting that the board move to keep the name based on the 1969 ceremony giving UND permission to use the Fighting Sioux nickname. He was going to stress the 1004 signatures as well. (I hope he wrote them before today's meeting)

He is hopeful about the special meeting, but said if they can't get any answers, he said they would have no choice but to file in court, to get the council to recognize the petition and allow the people to have their vote.

If that happens, they may not be able to use the in-house attorney.... So if anyone here knows of an attorney who may be able to help out (pro bono I assume) and take this on, please let it be known. I remember all of the offers UND had when they were first going to sue the NC$$...maybe someone could advise on this case.

Hope this summary made some sense....I'm typing on the fly.

AFB is also encouraging everyone to email members of the SBoHE, and he listed the email addresses of board members. I think that the 1004 signatures should carry enough weight to make them pause, but after this mornings events, who knows? The GF Herald opinion piece would be nice subject matter to forward to them as well. It's worth a shot.... we have nothing to lose....

Ice isnt' good at Ford Field

This is one of the reasons I was not excited about having the Frozen Four in an indoor football stadium in April. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out tonight. The Badgers played Michigan at Camp Randall on February 6th 2010. I read reports about the ice there as well so the Badgers might have the advantage this weekend.

DETROIT — Perhaps the biggest challenge in staging the NCAA Frozen Four inside a gigantic football stadium revealed itself in a 36-hour span earlier this week.

Dan Craig, the ice quality guru for the NHL, left Ford Field Monday night knowing the in-house temperature was 55 degrees and the humidity was at 40 percent. In other words, just about perfect.

When the four teams — the University of Wisconsin, Boston College, Miami (Ohio) and Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology — showed up to practice on the temporary ice sheet Wednesday morning, the temperature was pushing 60 and the humidity was 62 percent.

“Humidity is not a friend,” Craig said.

That was evident during the four, one-hour practices. The ice was gooey and pucks bounced. The players weren’t impressed.

“It’s not the best ice,” RIT defenseman Dan Ringwald said after the first practice.

“It wasn’t great,” Miami winger Tommy Wingels said after the last practice.

So what will happen today when 30,000-plus fans show up?

“We know there’s a cold front moving in,” Craig said, “so I’ve been saying my prayers at night hoping it gets here a little quicker.”

Check out this Puck Daddy zinger.

Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy had this “zinger” on RIT today in his blog post on the Frozen Four. I am sure that he is going to piss off a few of the RIT fans but he does have a valid point. RIT is from the AHA a league that was not very good this year in their nonconference schedule RIT went an unimpressive 0-6 against the teams they played out of their conference. This is the teams that RIT played in their non-conference schedule; Colgate L3-2 (15-15-6), St Lawrence L 3-1 (19-16-7), Clarkson L 5-3 (9-24-4), Niagara L 3-2 (12-20-4), MSU-M L 6-1, L 3-0 (16-20-3)… So excuse me if I am not impressed with RIT either.

But really, this tournament highlights that for all the talk of parity on a national level, that the little guys are catching up with the big dogs at long last, it's more like "Business As Usual Plus RIT."

I have nothing against RIT, except that I disagree with the mechanism by which they got into the tournament; it's nice that a team with such likeable players has made it this far, but this isn't their rodeo.
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So yes, I am looking forward to that title game between Wisconsin and the winner of BC/Miami, but not because I want RIT to lose. It's just silly to expect anything but that outcome. Obviously everyone said that prior to their squeaker against Denver and again before UNH's annual Chernobyl act, but these courageous Tigers have to run out of luck at some point, right?

Maybe you want to believe in the underdog; I don't begrudge that attitude. Just don't be surprised when the three teams that have been to eight Frozen Fours in the last five seasons keep right on winning.
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RIT (28-11-1)

Why the Tigers will be national champions: Jared DeMichiel is a hell of a goaltender and the whole team plays strong defense. They proved it against both Denver and UNH. They're also capable of an offensive explosion. In this tournament the Tigers proved they can play white-knuckle hockey and that they can win a laugher.

Why they're going home disappointed: They haven't proven they can play from behind. They never trailed in the regional, and actually scored just five minutes into the Denver game. I'm sure they had a few comeback wins in Atlantic Hockey, but the Frozen Four doesn't have any teams like Army or UConn. Unless they go up on Wisconsin early in the game (unlikely), it's probable they'll have to play with a deficit

[PUCK DADDY]

The Frozen Four coaches check in...

Our friends over at the Pipeline Show had the 3 out of the 4 Frozen Four coaches on their radio show last night.

Here is what the Miami Coach Enrico Blasi had to say... [Click to listen]

Here is what Boston College Eagles Coach Jerry York had to say... [click to listen]

Here is what Wisconsin Badgers coach Mike Eaves had to say... [Click to listen]

Apparently, RIT Coach Wayne Wilson was unavailable on Tuesday for interview.

Semi-Final Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Here we are the end of the season, down to four teams in the Motor City. It looks the NCAA got their wish, four teams from four conferences. There are three #1 seeds and one 4th seed in Detroit this week. If Denver would have won their regional, the frozen four would have had the top 4 rated teams at the end of season polls in Detroit.


Miami (OH) (29-7-7) vs Boston College (27-10-3)

The RedHawks won their first round game against Alabama-Huntsville, and then need two overtimes to dispatch league rival Michigan, to advance to Detroit. The Eagles beat Cornell in the first round and then won a wildly entertaining game, 9-7, against Yale to earn their trip to Detroit.

The Eagles will need to be much better defensively in this game, versus their last outing. Giving up 7 goals in a game, not often that happens and you still win the game. Miami has been atop the polls most of the season and have played well wearing the #1 target on their back. I don’t see any reason not to pick the RedHawks in this game, then again, a bad bounce here or there will end your season. REDHAWKS WIN


Wisconsin (27-10-4) vs RIT (28-11-1)

The Badgers disposed of Vermont in their first game and then beat SCSU in a rematch of the previous weeks WCHA Final Five, to advance to the Frozen Four. RIT started their run with a win over Denver, followed by a win over New Hampshire.

The Tigers are the Cinderella story of this year’s tournament; I know I’m stating the obvious with that remark. This is only RIT’s 5th year as a division one hockey program, so needless to say they are off to a good start. However, they now face a storied hockey program in the UW Badgers. By comparison the Badgers have 6 NCAA hockey titles, the fourth most (only Michigan-9, North Dakota-7, and Denver-7 have more). This is Bucky’s big chance to get to another title game this decade. After this season UW losses seven seniors and could possibly lose a few others to the pro’s, so next year could be a rebuilding season. I have to go with our conference in this tilt. WISCONSIN WINS

Frozen Four ice chips... (Updated with predictions)

Usually the Frozen Four is one of my favorite events in college hockey. This season I am having a hard time getting fired up for the Frozen Four. This season the Frozen Four is going to be played at a NFL venue, Ford Field. Color me unenthused. I would rather see the game at the Joe instead of Ford Field. Taking it further, I think playing a hockey game in a football field or outdoors on a baseball park or at a football stadium is a gimmick. That being said there is a good field of teams in the Frozen Four and I am going to be pulling for the Wisconsin Badgers 27-10-4 to bring home the hardware for the WCHA.

Matchups

NCAA Semifinal (1): The Wisconsin Badgers (27-10-4, 17-8-3 WCHA) face off against RIT Tigers (28-11-1, 22-5-1 Atlantic Hockey) RIT is this season's NCAA Division 1 Hockey version of Cinderella and their glass slipper will be shattered as the Wisconsin Badgers will advance to Saturday’s title game in convincing fashion. Game is Thursday on ESPN 2 at 4:00PM CT.


NCAA Semifinal (2): The Miami University RedHawks (29-7-7, 21-2-5-2 CCHA) face off in the second game against the Boston College Eagles (27-10-3, 16-8-3 Hockey East) This game is a rematch of the March 25th 2007 game where the Eagles shut out the Miami RedHawks 4-0 in Manchester, NH and the rematch of the March 30th 2008 game where the Eagles won in O.T. 4-3 in Worcester, MA. First off the game will not be a home game for the Eagles (Worcester or Manchester) and I predict the RedHawks will get sweet revenge on the Boston College Eagles, the RedHawks defensive style of play will slow down the speedy Eagles and win 3-1. Game is Thursday on ESPN 2 at 7:30 PM CT.


Links

Detroit Free Press; Detroiter Cameron Burt comes full circle to play for title

Detroit Free Press; Breakout season takes RIT to Frozen Four

Detroit Free Press; Breaking down the Frozen Four at Ford Field

Madison.com; Lucas: Badgers seek Madtown to Motown hat trick

Madison.com; Game facts: Wisconsin vs. RIT

Madison.com; Geoffrion has grown into a great

RedHawkey; Only Miami playing in 2nd straight Frozen 4

The Oxford Press; RedHawks crave second chance at NCAA title

The Oxford Press; Miami coach: 'We’re all in this together’

The Oxford Press; RedHawks’ goaltending duo second to none

Boston.com; Miami facing another Boston roadblock

Boston.com; Eagles feathered their nest

Boston.com; Charged-up Gibbons gets BC back on line

RIT.edu; Hitting the ice—and the books—to the Frozen Four

DemocratandChronicle.com; Spirited sendoff for RIT Tigers

DemocratandChronicle.com; Cameron Burt, Scott Knowles at home for the Frozen Four