Fighting Sioux nickname to be gone by year's end

August 15, 2011 7:24 PM

Fighting Sioux debate — North Dakota state Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, who is the Republican majority leader in the North Dakota House, speaks on the phone in his North Dakota Capitol office in Bismarck, N.D., on Friday, April 15, 2011, about a meeting with National Collegiate Athletic Association executives regarding a bill the North Dakota Legislature approved last month that requires the University of North Dakota to continue using its Fighting Sioux nickname and American Indian head logo.
AP Photo/Dale Wetzel

By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has voted to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname by the end of the year, a move that assumes lawmakers will repeal a law requiring the school to keep the nickname.

Monday's decision follows last week's meeting with NCAA President Mark Emmert. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple and legislative leaders weren't able to persuade Emmert to let UND keep the nickname without any penalty.

A state law says UND has to keep the nickname. The Legislature is expected to repeal the law during a special session this November.

The higher education board voted unanimously Monday to retire the nickname by Dec. 31. UND had wanted to retire the nickname before Monday, but the approval of the state law blocked those plans.

Gallery

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Donate Today

Share

Create a More Connected Minnesota