Gov signs bill to keep UND Fighting Sioux nickname

Ralph Englestad Arena
Images of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux mascot are inside and out at the Ralph Englstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. The logo is at the center of a legal battle between North Dakota officials and the NCAA.
MPR Photo/Dan Gunderson

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has signed legislation that requires the University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux nickname.

The signing was reported Thursday in the House journal, which is the official record of the business of the North Dakota House.

Records show Dalrymple signed the bill at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday, and it was filed with the secretary of state's office at 4:56 p.m.

The governor's office made no public announcement of the signing. The bill doesn't take effect until Aug. 1.

University system chancellor William Goetz says he's expecting the Board of Higher Education to meet soon to discuss the bill's implications.

The NCAA considers UND's Fighting Sioux nickname to be hostile to American Indians, and it will impose sanctions on the university if it's kept.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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