Image via WikipediaYesterday Scott Hennen interviewed Spirit Lake Tribal member Frank Black Cloud on the Fighting Sioux nickname and the UND delegation's trip to NCAA headquarters. If you haven't heard this interview it's worth a listen. [click to listen] 
Image via WikipediaHere is a nice article that was written by Cult of Hockey on Fighting Sioux Sophomore defenseman Dillon Simpson. In my opinion, it was pretty nice accomplishment by the young man to do so well in the classroom this past season. Not many people can claim to have gotten a 4.0 grade point average but then to be a division I athlete and have that accomplishment is even more impressive in my opinion. Cult of Hockey --- Dillon Simpson seems to have it all going for him. Son of former Oiler star Craig Simpson, the youngster seems to have inherited his dad’s smarts, good looks, and at least a portion of his hockey talent.
Let’s talk about those smarts for a moment. Young Dillon carried a 4.0 grade point average in the first semester last year, pursuing his business degree with a major in finance. He managed to do this while playing hockey fulltime at the University of North Dakota, where the freshman was reportedly the youngest player in the entire WCHA. Playing against much older men, the 17-year-old defender kept his head above the water line on the ice (30 GP, 2-8-10) , and did much better than that in the classroom.
Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- As they returned from their last-ditch effort to defend “Fighting Sioux” as a beloved, noble and ennobling nickname, the state’s emissaries showed disappointment, frustration and — perhaps most of all — fatigue.
“We have exhausted all avenues,” State Board of Higher Education President Grant Shaft said on Monday, “and we are now going to have to retire the nickname.”
The state board voted unanimously Monday to do just that, approving a motion to have the process “substantially complete” by Dec. 31.
Image via WikipediaUND President Robert O. Kelley posted this on the UND Nickname/logo blog today and you can almost feel the glee and excitement in his voice as President Kelley wrote this blog post, but I digress, most of us knew this day would come but it doesn't soften the blow any easier either. Dear Campus Community:
I want to bring you up to date on recent events related to the nickname and logo. But first let me a take a moment to welcome everyone to the start of a new academic year. I can feel the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in the air as many return to campus from being gone all summer. We also have the privilege of welcoming our new students and families in the upcoming Welcome Weekend. I encourage you to participate in these events so you can meet some of our new students. A special welcome to our new faculty, as well. We look forward to you joining our community.
As you may know, our university had been directed by the State Board of Higher Education to retire the nickname and logo of our athletic programs by August 15, 2011. The transition was proceeding when the state legislature passed a bill requiring UND to retain the name and logo. After the Governor signed that bill into law, the State Board directed me to suspend any further activities associated with its retirement.
Following a meeting last Friday between North Dakota officials and the leadership of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the State Board of Higher Education held a teleconference meeting today and instructed me to resume the process of planning the retirement of the nickname and logo nickname consistent with prior Board action. The State Board of Higher Education extended the deadline to complete that process through December 2011. I will resume the planning process, mindful of the state law which, as of Aug. 1, directs the University of North Dakota to continue to use our nickname and logo. Gov. Jack Dalrymple has indicated that he will urge the North Dakota Legislature to readdress that law in the special session of the North Dakota Legislature planned for November.
The controversy surrounding the name and logo cannot be permitted to deter us from our core missions of teaching and learning, research, and service. We begin the 2011-2012 academic year as strong as our university has ever been. Our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, supported by our committed alumni and friends, will sustain the momentum that has been generated in recent months around the Exceptional UND initiatives that can establish our position as a world-class institution of higher education.
[Read the rest of the blog post]
Image via WikipediaS/T to Rob Port and his sayanythingblog.com Now that the NCAA has told UND that they can't use their UND Fighting Sioux logo, why is the NCAA still selling merchandise that bears the Fighting logo, this is the same historic logo that the NCAA says is hostile and abusive. Wouldn't that make them a bunch of hypocrites? Kind of sounds like a do as I say not as I do mentality.
Image via WikipediaThe million dollar question that many college hockey fans are waiting for is, ta-da, where are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish going to end up? Are the Fighting Irish going to Hockey East, NCHC or Independent?Warrior Rink Rat --- The Irish were debating internally whether to join Hockey East, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, join the WCHA/CCHA or run its program as a Independant.
According to sources, Hockey East is now considered a long shot. Initially, Notre Dame officials were said to be split between joining Hockey East or the NCHC.
Image via WikipediaThis is a story that caught me eye this morning, before the 2011-2012 NHL season has even started; there are rumors of some on the Winnipeg Jets hockey team that are not happy about being in the city of Winnipeg, MB, this is according to sports radio talk show host Bob McCown of the Fan 590 out of Toronto, Ontario… McCown goes on to say that there might be as many as three Winnipeg Jets players that don’t want to play in Winnipeg. I suppose you can look at any roster in the NHL and probably have 2-5 players that are unhappy about being on their team but why bring this up now before the season has even begun. Winnipeg Free Press --- (Bob) McCown believes players will look past the sold -out building and gold-plate ownership while coming to the conclusion that this isn't a good place to earn a seven-figure living.
"Guys are not going to want to play there," said McCown.
"I have first-hand knowledge of no less than three members of the Atlanta Thrashers, no fewer than three, who are now Winnipeg Jets, who are actively pursuing alternatives. Not the least of the problems, there's no place to live, in the style that an NHL player has become accustomed to. Are there upscale homes? I'm sure there are. But they're not available and they're not for rent."
Ladd's response to this talk was succinct.
"I haven't heard that, but if there are guys that don't want to be in Winnipeg then we don't want them anyway," said Ladd. "We want people that want to be part of a good hockey organization that's going to create a winning culture. From everyone I've talked to -- I haven't heard any of that."
Image via WikipediaUpdate: I’m being told by nickname supporters that tribal interests are considering a lawsuit against the NCAA, so it would appear as though this issue is far from over though I don’t have any details to add at this point.Look I get it, the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone, I think most of us knew that before the ND delegation went to the NCAA office in Indiana. That being said, I would love to see this issue finally go to a court of law where some pasty white judge could tell a person of Native American decent (that supports the Fighting Sioux nickname) that they can’t have to the Fighting Sioux nickname because it’s hostile and abusive. How would they respond to that?
Image via WikipediaThis from the Grand Forks Herald, these are some of the sanctions from the NCAA that will happen to UND if they don't change the Fighting Sioux nickname. It's pretty apparent what needs to happen.Dalrymple noted sanctions against UND, which are to go into effect Monday, would prohibit the university from hosting a post-season tournament and athletes would not be allowed to wear the logo in post-season play.This what Representative Al Carlson from Fargo had to say on the matter today.
“Since then, I have learned sanctions also will result in (NCAA) member schools refusing to schedule games with UND, and the university will not be allowed to join the Big Sky Conference.”
“I have come to the conclusion that the consequences of not retiring the Sioux logo are too great.”
He said he will ask legislative leaders to introduce legislation during the special session scheduled for November to delegate the issue back to the state board. He said that legislation “probably will also require an affirmative vote by directors of the UND Alumni Association.” One concession that the NCAA leaders made, according to Dalrymple, was that “they will communicate with members that UND is in the process of retiring the logo, and they should take that into account in any scheduling decisions they make.”
Also, “Rep. Carlson, disappointed as he is, said he will not do anything to harm the university.”
Image via WikipediaNDIANAPOLIS - State legislators and University of North Dakota officials are preparing to change the school's Fighting Sioux nickname following a meeting at NCAA headquarters.
After spending more than an hour with NCAA President Mark Emmert on Friday in Indianapolis, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said the NCAA would not change the settlement agreement that goes into effect Monday. If the school doesn't change its nickname, or get permission to use the name Fighting Sioux from a second tribe, it will be banned from hosting postseason tournaments and using the nickname or logo at NCAA tournaments.
Dalrymple says he will introduce a bill Nov. 7 transferring authority of the nickname and logo back to the school. Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a law requiring the school to use its current nickname and logo.
Image via WikipediaFormer Fighting Sioux tight end Jim Kleinsasser weighs in on the Fighting Sioux logo issue. Like I have said in the past, as soon as today's meeting is over between the NCAA and the North Dakota delegation I think we will see a move away from the Fighting Sioux logo because UND can not jeporidize their membership in the Big Sky Conference. MANKATO, Minn. — The Fighting Sioux nickname has no doubt been a loud issue in the NCAA, but it has also resonated into the National Football League.
Minnesota Vikings tight end and former University of North Dakota standout Jim Kleinsasser has been keeping up with the ongoing debate that has been swirling around the campus he once roamed, and though he was always proud of the nickname, the 1998 team captain stated that it might be time to turn the page.
“It’s sad to see it go and I wish it wasn’t,” said Kleinsasser regarding his alma mater’s nickname. “But if it’s going to keep us out of the Big Sky, then we just have to move on and go with it.”
Image via Wikipedia ESPN.COM --- Some state leaders and UND President Robert Kelley are scheduled to meet with NCAA executives Friday in Indianapolis. Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson, of Fargo, questioned the timing of the lawsuit and said it represents a handful of people with out-of-state interests.
"You've got a New York attorney. It was nice of them to keep it local," Carlson said. "We understand why it was done. It's a small group. My job is to represent the majority of North Dakotans.
"I think there has been a lot of discussion already and tomorrow we are going to make the case why we think the Fighting Sioux nickname should be retained," he said of Friday's meeting.
Fredericks said the timing of the lawsuit is related to the fact that the settlement agreement dictated that the nickname be officially retired Monday, and not because of the meeting with NCAA officials.
"The meeting that is happening on Friday is because of the Monday deadline," she said.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via WikipediaIn reading the newspaper articles I have gleaned that six students from the University of North Dakota of Native American decent that aren't Sioux (Nakota, Lakota, Dakota), have filed a law suit in Federal Court against Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state of North Dakota, the North Dakota state Board of Higher Education and the University of North Dakota.The complaint alleges the legislation violates the state Constitution, because the Board of Higher Education is supposed to make such decisions rather than the Legislature, and violates a court-ordered settlement directing the name be changed which was reached by the NCAA, the state and the Board of Higher Education. The students also allege the new law violates their 14th Amendment rights in that the name and logo are harmful and disparaging to Native Americans.Links to the paper work filed (Civil Cover Sheet) and (Complaint and Jury Trial Demand)
Image via WikipediaThis is just in from WDAY/WDAZ... It would be interesting to see who is funding this lawsuit.FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Six American Indian students at the University of North Dakota say they've filed a federal lawsuit over the school's Fighting Sioux nickname.
The complaint alleges that a new law requiring the school to keep the nickname violates the state constitution and reverses a court-ordered settlement between UND and the NCAA.
The suit names Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state of North Dakota, the state Board of Higher Education and UND.
Megan Stewart, Vancouver Courier ---- "There is a certain amount of tension right now," acknowledged Lucic's mom, Snezana. "It's not all of Vancouver, just certain individuals."
When he celebrates with the Stanley Cup this weekend, Lucic will keep the festivities relatively private and low-key. He won't be gloating, at least where the public eye can see. Potential to bring hockey's holy grail to Kitsilano Beach Park for the weekend's popular sports festival, Kits Fest, were scuttled, according to an event organizer.
All because of a few sore losers. Seeing Lucic with the Stanley Cup would be bittersweet for Canucks Nation, just as it must be acutely bittersweet for him to keep in check the pride he rightfully feels. Such a woe-begotten attitude is beatable by recognizing Lucic for the accomplishments he realized right here at home. However, too many are still hurting over the hometown champion who helped conquer the hometown. Said Snezana, "That's why Milan does not want to be out there, parading the Cup around his hometown."
Image via WikipediaNext week the NHL School will have another Research, Development and Orientation Camp so they can test potential rule changes, unfortunately there will be many of the same crappy rules the NCAA Division I ice hockey committee tried to ram down our throats last summer. 
James Murphy, ESPN --- Montreal police have concluded their investigation into Bruins captain Zdeno Chara’s controversial hit on Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty on March 8 and forwarded their report to Crown prosecutors. It is now their decision whether to prosecute Chara.
Amid public outcry from Canadiens and NHL fans in Montreal after Chara was not suspended by the NHL for the hit that left Pacioretty with a cracked vertebrae and concussion, the police launched an investigation in March and just recently questioned Chara.
