Yesterday featured a new development in a story I've been following for a while. The University of North Dakota settled with NCAA in a lawsuit over the Fighting Sioux nickname. Great news, right?
No.
UND is putting off the inevitable. The only thing the settlement does is add three years to the process. The only thing good for UND in this deal is that NCAA will quit referring to the nickname as "hostile and abusive." Now, I realize that wordage deeply offended some people connected with the university. However, I would argue that nobody in their right mind would actually think UND was a hostile and abusive place. Those are just words. They are extreme and exaggerated to give credence to the NCAA's decision to crack down on school's with Native American nicknames. Was it really worth $2 million to get rid of that terminology? I don't think so.
Here's the problem. Words are just words, but the growing lack of support for Native American nicknames in sports is real. The NCAA will simply find another way to put pressure on UND. At that point, UND will be faced with the same decision. Go to court or change the name.
Just change the name.
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Yeah, so the university is definately putting off the inevitable, I will not argue with that. I think we all know that those three years are going to be put to use to try and persuade the local tribes why we should keep the name, and it is pointless. I think the time would be better put to use to figure out what we are going to change the name to, and also the cost of implementing this change (such as changes in facilities and what not).
It is going to be interesting to see what unfolds over the next few years. I am particularly interested to see what the future holds for the REA. Rumor has it that there is $1 million set aside for the demolishment of the arena should the name change. I don't know if I believe it. I guess we'll just wait and see.
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