The University of North Dakota has been without a nickname since 2012. Prior to that, the Fighting Sioux was their nickname since the 1970’s. Their green and white uniforms were adorned by an Indian head logo. But in 2012, the use of the name Fighting Sioux was voted out in the light of sports teams using Native American names and logos as sports mascots. The state issued a cooling off period until this year, then allowed the school to vote on a new name.
The university was smart in getting rid of the name and logo in today’s current political atmosphere in light of using such names. Perhaps the biggest sports team in North America with a Native American name, the Washington NFL team, has been so defiant and arrogant in not changing their name that even President Obama weighed in on the issue.
After a thousand names were suggested and voted upon, the latest round of voting has narrowed the list from three to two from 26,479 votes:
Fighting Hawks: 12,098 (45.69 percent)
Roughriders: 7,400 (27.95 percent)
Nodaks: 6,981 (26.36 percent)
Because no vote garnered over 50 percent, one last round of voting will take place from Nov. 12 through 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday. Nov. 16. It’s open to a collection of current and former UND students and staff, as well as current season-ticket holders for UND events.
I feel that the new name is superficial and realistically recognized by the media and the teams on the field because fans will still be allowed to wear old Fighting Sioux apparel.
Will fans still be allowed to wear the nickname and logo on campus and to games?
Yes. The transition will not include any ban on wearing Fighting Sioux clothing at athletic events. Those fans who choose to wear or display the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo are asked to do so in a manner that is respectful to American Indians. We anticipate that fans will want to support our student athletes by wearing official team apparel.
The 21-time Frozen Four participant hasn’t won an NCAA title since 2000. The team has made the NCAA tournament for 13 straight seasons, with a Frozen Four appearance seven times during their steak.
