N.D. Higher Ed pushes up deadline to decide UND nickname, logo

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DICKINSON, N.D. – The University of North Dakota must end its use of the Fighting Sioux nickname by Oct. 1, unless it can secure a 30-year agreement with the state’s two namesake tribes by then, the State Board of Higher Education unanimously decided today.

Grant Shaft, a board member who heads a fact-finding committee on the issue, wanted to make the deadline Aug. 1.

He advocated that earlier would be better as the university applies to enter the Summit League athletic conference, which has one more slot open and is looking at six other universities.

The league, which Shaft said UND athletic director Brian Faison considers the best conference for UND to join, said it will not consider UND until its nickname issue is resolved.

Shaft said he is unclear if a few months will make a difference as far as the Summit League’s application is concerned. He also said there is no guarantee that UND will get picked by the league.

Pam Kostelecky, a board member who offered the Oct. 1 date, said she wanted to give the Standing Rock tribe a chance to weigh in on the issue at either its July 15 election or September 15 election.

Under a settlement with the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames, UND needs the support of the state’s two Sioux tribes. Spirit Lake has voted 764-371 to support the nickname though its Tribal Council would have to formally issue a resolution of support.

The Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald and The Forum are both owned by Forum Communications Co.

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