Former UND Hockey Players Check In

Tonight's the night! Good luck @UNDmhockey in the @NCAAIceHockey National Championship Game #believeitearnitraiseit

— Ryan Duncan (@rduncan16) April 9, 2016

Good luck to @UNDmhockey today in the national championship game, bring it home buiis! #siouxyeahyeah

— Mark MacMillan (@EasyMac_16) April 9, 2016

Good luck @UNDmhockey in the national title game. Future Hawk leading the way! #FrozenFour https://t.co/VNAW9Sd8IR

— Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) April 9, 2016

#LFG #RollTribe #hang8 pic.twitter.com/WRqZnd69wW

— Danny Kristo (@dkristo7) April 8, 2016

I love this picture. So fitting.

A bet is a bet! Pay the man. @UNDmhockey @Scooter_Von @Buccigross @umichhockey pic.twitter.com/bhtWKaWVWb

— Danny Kristo (@dkristo7) March 29, 2016

Congrats @UNDmhockey on making it to the National Championship Game! One more job to do! #finishit #raise8

— Mitch MacMillan (@Mitch_Mac89) April 8, 2016

@BradBerry29 @myUND Get Er Done Men #Wearefamily pic.twitter.com/Cv8jjm2MR0

— craig ludwig (@taz3311) April 8, 2016

Good luck to the Sioux boys at the #FrozenFour #hang8 #tonguesout pic.twitter.com/b1mYfmpltb

— Brendan O'Donnell (@bodonnell21) April 7, 2016

Good luck tonight Fighting Sioux!! I'll be battling from Germany for the 2:30am puck drop! @UNDmhockey

— Brad Miller (@Bradm14) April 7, 2016

Yeah baby!!! Go Sioux!!! 1 more!!! @UNDmhockey

— Derrick LaPoint (@d_lapoint) April 8, 2016

Best of luck to @UNDmhockey the FIGHTING SIOUX in the frozen four. #letsgetthelegsgoing #letsgetthemittsgoing

— Matt Frattin (@Matt_Frattin) April 7, 2016

Good luck to @UNDmhockey in the National Championship game tonight!!! Have fun and play hard!#SiouxYeahYeah

— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) April 9, 2016

UNITED IN GREEN!!!!!!!!#BelieveIt-EarnIt-RaiseIt pic.twitter.com/AoyvjPrDDi

— Brad Berry (@BradBerry29) April 9, 2016

Good luck to the Sioux boys tonight in the National Championship game! #Hang8 #FightingSiouxForever

— Rocco Grimaldi (@RGrimaldi23) April 9, 2016

Down to Three Nicknames; Who Are You Voting For?

Every time I go on vacation or head to the hunting shack for some R&R, there's usually some form of breaking news. This weekend was no different. So, were playing catch up here.

Sunday, I was in transit when the nickname story broke. While I am at the shack, for the most part, I am offline, I don't normally take my computer with me. It's my time to get off the grid and do nothing. I did bring my iPad with me, but I didn't use it.

As most of you know, the University of North Dakota now has three final names to choose from. After holding a vote, the Sundogs nickname option has been added to the dustbin of history. For this, I am thankful. As we suggested, Sundogs wasn't a popular choice. Yet, it ended up being a choice for the voters to ponder.

Fighting Hawks: 6,960 votes; 31.20 percent
Roughriders: 4,687 votes; 21.01 percent
Nodaks: 4,571 votes; 20.49 percent
North Stars: 3,231 votes; 14.48 percent
Sundogs: 2,858 votes; 12.81 percent

As before, I will be voting for the nickname Fighting Hawks. No, UND won't be using the logo that some have passed around on the internet. The Chicago Blackhawks already own that logo. Second, it would probably never get past the anti-native American nickname crowd.

I am hoping that when the nickname vote is finally over, the University tasks Bennett Brien with designing UND's new logo. It would be the smart thing to do and it "could" help with the healing process.

I think Fighting Hawks the best option of three unattractive nickname choices. As a taxpayer in North Dakota, I am disappointed in the nickname choices the committee came up with. I think there were many good choices that weren't considered. That being said, I hold no ill will towards the nickname committee, they're solid people.

Finally, like my good friend Jackie, I am worn out. I am ready to move on, reluctantly, but nonetheless, I am ready to move on. I can accept any of the three remaining nicknames, but I would rather not be the UND Rough Riders, I think Rough Riders shows very little creativity. But in the grand scheme of things, it's a hell of a lot better than Sundogs, Flicker Tails, and North Stars.

In today's world, you have the right to not be offended. Eventually, someone is going to be offended by the Rough Riders nickname and we could end up back where we are right now.

Lastly, I am also tired of the fighting, finger-pointing, and name-calling among UND fans. We can't continue to be in a constant state of conflict. We're in this together.

Earlier this past month, I wrote this: and Puck Daddy quoted me.

I know I have said this 100 times. I love the Fighting Sioux nickname. I also realize that this fight should have taken place about 5-7 years ago. It seems like some have been late to the party. The Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and not coming back. If UND had refused to change the Fighting Sioux nickname, there's no way that UND would be able to host an NCAA regional.

… I am pro-Fighting Sioux nickname, I will always be. I am worn out with the argument surrounding the nickname. I am (reluctantly) ready to move on, I will vote for a nickname in October. That being said, I will always wear my Fighting Sioux gear with pride when the opportunity arises. Last Wednesday, I wore a golf shirt with the Fighting Sioux logo on it to the hockey presser. I didn't even realize I was wearing it. Just came out of the wash that way.

What will North Dakota’s new NCAA nickname be: Fighting Hawks, Roughriders or Nodaks? https://t.co/v11I8mdyDi

— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) October 26, 2015

Fighting Sioux fatigue and the quest for a new nickname

Are you tired? Because I’m exhausted. For the past few years the University of North Dakota has been preparing itself for a transition from the Fighting Sioux moniker into a new nickname.

Before and during the transition period there have been multiple times when I’ve said several “unladylike” curse words in frustration. That time when the North Dakota legislative body thought it knew better than UND. An alumni who took out trade-names in an attempt to derail UND from using said names. The weak attempt at a lawsuit to stop voting from happening. The list goes on.

I knew the transition would be difficult, but I didn’t think it would come to the ridiculous lengths that it has to some extent. Admittedly, there were times that I was surprised at the lengths groups and individuals were willing to go. I will also admit that, although, I might not agree with any of the attempts to prolong this battle, I respect the passion and interest in fighting for what one believes in.

I’ve been ready to move forward since the state legislative body decided that, after UND had decided to transition, it would have to go back to using the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. At that time, the university’s Athletics department was already running under the North Dakota moniker. In full disclosure, I worked in the Athletics Department as a student assistant at the time. It was more than frustrating. Since that time I have commonly said that I have Fighting Sioux Fatigue.

As I’m sure many of you have, I followed the new nickname and logo process. I was a participant in one of the ‘conversation cafes’ that was established by UND last year. I voted in the first round and will vote in the second (and third, heaven forbid that it comes to that).

I’m frustrated with the final name selections because I’m not convinced that they truly exhibit the findings that were outlined in the conversation cafés hosted to field what might be a good fit for a new nickname. The nickname selection committee was ultimately responsible for whittling down the massive list.

I foolishly believed that after the first vote I would be one vote away from moving toward closure. When news broke yesterday evening that there would be three, not two names on the next ballot, it was one of the first times I’ve felt truly betrayed by the process. I understand the rationale to some extent, but I wonder if it was the ‘right thing to do.’ Selecting three names to move forward went against the initial process that was outlined and could cause another vote, prolonging the agony. 

Perhaps time and this process has broken me down a bit, but I have decided that I will learn to live with whatever is selected by the majority and that I will continue to support UND. And I truly believe that those of you that love UND as much or more than I do will continue to support the institution and athletics no matter what the final decisions is.

You will not, however, catch me wearing any Roughrider gear if that is what the fates allow.

UND Nickname Vote: Court denies request to stop UND nickname vote

The group that filed the lawsuit to stop the nickname vote has failed. I can't imagine that there can be anything thing else standing in the way of the nickname vote. And as I write this, somehow karma will find a way to screw up the nickname vote. Now, the court has spoken and wasted no time throwing out this lawsuit. What nickname do we end up with?

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald – A Fargo judge has denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have stopped the University of North Dakota's nickname vote. Court denies request to stop UND nickname vote.

Plaintiffs Lavonne Alberts, Rich Becker and William Le Caine requested in a complaint filed Thursday that the vote stop until UND or North Dakota are voting options and the state's Sioux tribes are included as eligible voters.

A judge denied the request Monday, citing a lack of evidence showing the vote would cause irreparable harm.

"We appreciate the decision of the courts," UND spokesman Peter Johnson said. "The voting process will continue, and we look forward to the results of the vote."

Becker, a Republican state representative from Grand Forks, said he had been told by legal counsel the case's hearing was short.

"We obviously will regroup and consider what our options are," he said.

I must say that I agree with Rich Becker. There really are some bad nickname choices. Some are worse than others. I also think it's silly to not vote. At least you can have a hand in voting against the less attractive nicknames. I am sure you can figure out which one on your own.

"It is so obvious these five names inspire nobody really and they're trying to make lemonade out of a lemon," Becker said. "It is what it is. We're disappointed but the sun will come up tomorrow and we'll see what we're going to do next."

Breaking News: Lawsuit filed to stop nickname vote; UND says it won't affect process

Just when you think it can't get any weirder, now a lawsuit has been filed to stop the nickname vote. No idea how this turns out, but UND is going ahead with the vote.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

A lawsuit was filed in district court in Grand Forks Thursday in an attempt to stop UND's upcoming nickname vote, though for now the vote will continue as planned.

Plaintiffs Lavonne Alberts, Rich Becker and William Le Caine requested in their complaint that the vote be stopped and held only when UND or North Dakota is on the ballot and members of the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes are allowed to participate.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson said in an email that the school is aware of what had been filed.

"The university intends to move forward with the nickname vote as planned beginning on Oct. 19 unless otherwise directed by the courts," he said.

Related articles

• A Troll Is Trying To Hijack The University Of North Dakota's Search For A New Nickname(deadspin.com)

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• North Dakota Football Player Accused of Theft Did So While Wearing Jersey(lostlettermen.com)

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• University of North Dakota: Nickname vote will stand(bismarcktribune.com)

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• Herald Letter: Here's hoping Haakenson blocks UND nickname change(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Be on the Lookout: Link For the Nickname Vote Should be in Your Email

I got this email today. So, you'll want to check your email.

This email contains a link to cast a single vote for a nickname for the University of North Dakota.

The link is included at the end of this email.  Please read the following information first.

PLEASE RETAIN THIS EMAIL UNTIL THE VOTING PERIOD BEGINS.  You will need the link contained in this email in order to vote.

Voting begins on Monday, October 19 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time, and closes at 11:59 p.m. midnight, Central Time on Friday, October 23.

During the voting period, you will open this email and click the link, which will take you to the voting site.  You will only be able to vote once.  You will be asked to choose from the following potential nicknames:

Fighting Hawks
Nodaks
North Stars
Roughriders
Sundogs

Please note that the voting link will not work until 8:00 a.m. Central Time Monday, October 19, and it also will not work after the voting period closes on Friday, October 23, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.  You must vote during this period.

If you experience technical difficulties during the voting process, please contact the helpline at 701-777-2731.

Here is your link: UND Nickname Vote
Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:

Breaking News: UND announces nickname voting dates

The timetable for the new nickname voting has been announced.

According to the UND website, The voting process, which will be conducted completely online, will begin at 8 a.m. Central Time Monday, Oct. 19, and will close at midnight Central Time on Friday, Oct. 23. Voting will be open to the following groups:

Current UND Students
Current UND Faculty
Current UND Staff
UND Retirees
UND Alumni
UND Donors
Current Season Ticket Holders to UND Athletic Events

During the voting process, eligible voters will cast one vote for a single option on the ballot. Eligible voters will choose one of five nickname options:

The Nickname choices:

Fighting Hawks
Nodaks
North Stars
Roughriders
Sundogs

For instructions, check your email during the week of October 12, 2015.

Herald Letter: Here's hoping Haakenson blocks UND nickname change

When I read this letter, I have to giggle. If I am betting man and I am. I am pretty sure if UND fans vote in favor of Fighting Hawks, North Stars or Nodaks. I don't see Haakenson's little stunt stopping UND from using any of the three nicknames that he says that he registered. I predict there will be a vote in October and UND will probably end up being either the Fighting Hawks or the Rough Riders.

Granted, the three nicknames in question aren't great, but the Fighting Sioux nickname isn't coming back.

If UND was still the Fighting Sioux, they would have never hosted the NCAA West Regional Championship last spring. And I love the Fighting Sioux nickname.

  Per the Grand Forks Herald:

It's a terrific, creative step to register the proposed nicknames Fighting Hawks, Nodaks and the North Stars with the North Dakota Secretary of State.

As an attorney and UND grad, I can especially appreciate (Marlan "Hawk") Haakenson's innovative approach to impeding the university's endless quest to install a spineless nickname. By the way, I'm planning to go to the UND/North Dakota State University game in Fargo and proudly wear one of my Fighting Sioux shirts. And let's all plan to chant Fighting Sioux while we're in the Fargodome!

William Brotherton
Highland Village, Texas

UND can use Sundogs nickname

Marvelous. I am so happy.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

FARGO -- If UND wants to be the Sundogs, that would be just dandy with Sundog Interactive, an advertising agency in Fargo.

"We wish them nothing but the best in whichever name they go with," Heidi Haaven, the firm's communications director, said in an email. "Obviously choosing a name that represents the University and the state of North Dakota is not an easy task and we would support whatever decision they make."

Sundog is among the top choices for a new nickname for UND's athletic teams after the university stopped using Fighting Sioux as a nickname under pressure from the NCAA, which considers Indian nicknames abusive.

Marlan "Hawk" Haakenson, the former mayor of Bismarck and a fan of the Fighting Sioux nickname, recently registered several potential UND nicknames as trademarks under the belief that this would prevent the university from using them and transitioning to a new nickname. He said he was unable to register "sundog" because another firm already has that trademark.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Former Bismarck mayor registers trademarks with state(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Grand Forks Herald: Former Bismarck mayor registers trademarks with state

You can't make this stuff up.  This gets sillier by the day. And of course, he's an NDSU Alumni.
Per the Grand Forks Herald:

(Marlan "Hawk") Haakenson, who attended North Dakota State University but says he's a supporter of the Fighting Sioux nickname, said he registered the trade names Fighting Hawks, Nodaks and North Stars with the North Dakota Secretary of State in order to prevent UND from using them.

"As far as I'm concerned, Kelley will never get permission from me," Haakenson said. "I'll use every legal means I have to stop him from using the names."

Haakenson said he registered the trade names on Sept. 4, though they were not officially registered until Monday. He was prevented from registering a fourth name, Roughriders, because Secretary of State Al Jaeger said it was too similar to an existing registered trade name in the state.

Haakenson said he was unable to register Sundogs for that same reason, though Jaeger said it was unclear whether an existing trade name would prevent Sundogs from being registered.

Letter to the NCAA

To Whom it may Concern at the NCAA,

At the end of the 2011-2012 athletic season, the University of North Dakota dropped the name of 'Fighting Sioux' as per your request as you saw the name to be offensive and hostile. It was a tough one to swallow for athletes, fans, students, alumni, and faculty alike, however, the University has embraced just being the University of North Dakota for the past three athletic seasons and is currently undergoing the process to adopt a new name for the University.

After doing what you suggested the University should do, you recently take it one step too far by saying further sanctions 'could possibly' take place if the fans continue to cheer the name 'Sioux' at UND athletic events. Now we do understand that the school can be responsible for fans actions at events for saying disrespectful things and throwing things onto the playing surfaces. However, since when is embracing your school's history harmful or disrespectful?

When the Bill of Rights was created, the Founding Fathers made sure that the First Amendment was to protect the freedom of religion and expression. As it states, "First Amendment- Religion and Expression. Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech...." By telling the University of North Dakota further sanctions and penalties "could" be given out to the UND athletics programs if the use of "Sioux" is continued by its fan is a clear violation of our First Amendment right.

You already won by UND dropping "Fighting Sioux" as the nickname of the University. Save your breath and save what dignity you already don't have and just give it a rest. There is absolutely nothing wrong with alumni, fans, students and faculty embracing the history of what was a huge part in what the University of North Dakota has had to offer over the last 80 plus years since originally adopting the nickname of "Fighting Sioux" and dropping it three years ago.

Yours Truly,
Zachary Hawkins

Grand Forks Herald: Sioux chants could mean consequences at UND

Good luck enforcing that. What a joke. Can we say back to the courts again.

Whether UND picks a new nickname or goes with simply "North Dakota", fans are still going to yell Sioux at the end of the national anthem. The handwringers aren't going to be able to stop it.

Funny, I already reported this last week.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

But it's common knowledge in the Grand Forks area that the end of the national anthem at UND hockey games always ends with the crowd singing "the home of the Sioux!" and fans displaying the old logo are commonplace. If this continued and other schools complain, the NCAA told UND President Robert Kelley they could impose sanctions.

"(H)e was told—just as a friendly word—that if fans resumed using Sioux or Fighting Sioux, the NCAA believes it is possible that other schools might—might—complain and that, in turn, could result in sanctions," UND spokesman Peter Johnson said in the email.

NCAA Associate Director of Public and Media Relations Gail Dent said via email if the Fighting Sioux chant were to continue at UND sporting events, the NCAA could investigate.

"Schools can be held accountable for their fans' actions/behavior at school events," she said. "Schools have also found ways to proactively deliver public address announcements and other forms of written and verbal messaging to their fan/alumni/student base to deter various types of behavior."

North Dakota Wins.... Developing

So, were told by some folks that simply being "North Dakota" isn't a popular option, and should be squashed.

Apparently, that's not the truth, at least with current UND students. Based on the results, I think that President Robert O. Kelley has no choice but to include the option North Dakota as a choice for UND's new nickname.

Per the Grand Forks Herald and Say Anything Blog:

Results released by Student Body President Matt Kopp show when asked if they wanted UND/North Dakota included in the vote, 68 percent said yes, 24 percent said no and 7 percent said they were “not sure.”

The survey was sent out Tuesday and drew 3,262 responses over the two days it was open which, using enrollment data from the 2014-2015 school year, is 22 percent of the student body.

Since the NCAA threatened sanctions and the old Fighting Sioux nickname was retired at UND in late 2012, the school has played simply using an interlocking “UND” logo, going by either UND or North Dakota.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. Thoughts?

Students want 'North Dakota' as UND nickname option, survey says http://t.co/jrDqNEq2pH #UNDnickname @myUND pic.twitter.com/jQEZRw2UdC

— Grand Forks Herald (@gfherald) August 13, 2015

Grand Forks Herald Letter: Character of players in nickname debate shows

This letter lacks a few facts, or just plain omits them. But hey, let's not let facts get in the way of a good argument.

Again, without going over the facts again. Not all of the Tribes were screaming against the Fighting Sioux nickname. The Spirit Lake Tribe approved of UND's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

Character, Aristotle observed, is best revealed through the choices we make.

In a widely circulated letter titled “What if? That’s the question for UND fans,” Tom Anderson reasons that were NDSU, like UND, to have its logo declared offensive to Native Americans “without any input from the North Dakota Sioux Tribes…

Whoa!

Except for Spirit Lake, all North Dakota tribes were screaming against UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux logo.

The NCAA stepped in, a court suit followed and a settlement agreement granted North Dakota three years to secure approval from the state’s two major Sioux Tribes to continue using the logo.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council disapproved. End of story?

Fargo Forum: It's getting foolish at UND

Our friends to the south just can't help themselves. They fall all over themselves coming up with suggestions for UND and what they should do when it comes to the UND nickname. Don't do it, worry about your back-to-back-to-back-to-back NCAA FCS championships.Seriously, that's an impressive feat, no doubt about it. That being said, I don't recall any of us asking for their help.

Per the Fargo Forum:

A new nickname at UND is a nice idea, but many backers of the school don’t want one. Many feel if they can’t have Fighting Sioux, then go with nothing. There is so much animosity towards Kelley and the NCAA, and so much passion for the Fighting Sioux, that it will be tough for a new nickname to be accepted. Some hope that by going with no nickname now, the Fighting Sioux nickname will eventually come back. That’s not going to happen.

It will look foolish to people outside of North Dakota, but if UND fans don’t want a new nickname, then there’s no point of having one. More of the mess that needs to be sorted out is who gets to vote, and how the ballot is worded. Voters should be asked if they want a new nickname or keep UND/North Dakota. If more than 50 percent say yes to a new nickname, then they should vote on the final five choices.

Everyone has a solution to UND's nickname issue.

UND Nickname: A Couple of Ideas

This summer, the University of North Dakota has been moving towards selecting a new nickname. There've been various people weighing in on what UND should select for a new nickname. Daniel O’Shea from Grand Forks wrote a letter to the editor and suggested that UND be the Pride of the North.

Per O'Shea's letter to the Grand Forks Herald:

In my view, the nickname to replace the Fighting Sioux already is in use, in that UND has been using it to introduce the Marching Band at football games. It is the Pride of the North.

However, this name didn’t go very far in the nickname committee’s view. But perhaps now it is more worthy of reconsideration.

What better name would support UND and all of its students and alums

Steve Molvig of Lovelock, Nevada suggested that there's no harm with UND simply being North Dakota. There's quite a few people that feel the same way.

Molvig's letter to the editor:

As mentioned earlier, finances and expansion at UND have been OK since the Sioux logo was retired. It seems that not much was lost. What things have not come UND’s way because they had NO logo or a never existing mascot (except the Farce’s Kermit). In every poll conducted and published in the Herald, the North Dakota option has been the overwhelming choice. However, this top vote getting superior results has been passed off as somehow hanging on to the Sioux identity or sour grapes.

Why can’t it be that North Dakota option supporters are just that proud of the state, its residents, and they want UND’s recognition nationwide to be the great qualities of North Dakota?

Grand Forks Herald Letter: Roosevelt's racism puts 'Roughriders' off-limits

I honestly don't know what to make of this Letter to the editor, but it seems we're reaching here or that we are quick to find something that offends us. 

First, I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and wore it with pride this past week in Michigan. That being said, the Fighting Sioux nickname isn't coming back. I see no way that it does. Here's the latest letter from Tom Anderson from Fargo, ND. What do you think of this? 

 

As a UND alumnus, I find it interesting how much faith and money UND has placed in an outside consultant. After seeing the final list of names, I conclude that the consultants should be fired for incompetence.

To forward the name "Roughriders" and any connection to Teddy Roosevelt would be a greater travesty than removing the 85-plus year tradition of the Fighting Sioux name.

Doesn't this highly paid consultant know that Roosevelt was a self-admitted white supremacist? Just look at his writings to see glaring examples; such as, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indian is the dead Indian, but I believe nine out of every 10 are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth. The most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian."

Further examples of his racism are found in Vol. 3 of "The Winning of the West," in which he viewed American Indians as savages, unworthy of citizenship. In Roosevelt's letter known as the "race suicide letter," he wrote, any white person who did not have children was "in effect a criminal against the race." His thinking was that reproduction was the only way the white race could conquer colored races.

We can't rewrite history. We can't ignore these facts about Roosevelt—or the historical fact that in a Sacred Religious Pipe Ceremony, the Sioux Tribe gave UND the use of the name Fighting Sioux forever.

With UND President Robert Kelley leaving, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath and wait for the name change until a new president is selected. "North Dakota" is the most popular choice by the general public. Don't throw salt in our wounds by selecting a name no one wants or will support.

Tom Anderson

Fargo

Mark Schuttenhelm: Tackling the nickname dilemma

My friend Mark Schuttenhelm wrote this article for today's Jamestown Sun. For those to don't know Mark, he's a great hockey mind and writes a weekly column about college hockey during the regular season. I have sat next to him in the REA press box for the last three seasons. Mark and I have had many great discussions about college hockey and about life in general.

I like what he wrote here. I think he's right, the UND nickname committee has needlessly spent a lot of money to end with these six not so great nickname choices. I don't really like any of these choices. I could tolerate one of the Hawks and Rough Riders. Like Schuttenhelm, I would rather just stay North Dakota, too.

Mark Schuttenhelmm, Jamestown Sun -- The UND nickname committee has narrowed it down to six possibilities — Green Hawks, Fighting Hawks, Nodaks, Roughriders, Sundogs, North Stars.

They're kidding us with these names, right? Unfortunately — no. Sadly, this group is said to be the cream of the crop amongst all the names submitted by the folks.

Now look, I know the nickname committee members are not being paid for this work, so I'm hesitant to rip them. And besides, they have taken on an impossible task. This is a fact I pointed out two years ago when I came out in favor of foregoing a nickname and logo and simply using North Dakota, or UND for short, and thankfully, that option does remain on the table as well.

Back in 2013, I said it was unlikely that anyone could come up with a nickname that would even approach "Fighting Sioux" on any number of levels. Likewise, creating a logo to replace the beautiful Sioux Indian head was also an impossible task.

And seriously, he's right, Sundogs sounds ridiculous, moronic and should have been removed from the nickname list a long time ago. Yet, it's still there. I hope we never have to see Home of the Sundogs.

North Dakota Hockey is succinct, dignified, and gets right to the point, namely, that we are serious about our hockey up here. Substitute any other sport at UND in place of "hockey" and the phrase works equally well. Can you imagine if the side of the Ralph said "Home of the Sundogs?"

Related articles

• Weston Dressler Wouldn't Mind UND Being Named the Roughriders
• North Dakota is getting closer to actually having a nickname

Herald Letter: LETTER: Keep UND’s identity by choosing North Dakota

Here's a letter from a read of the Grand Forks Herald. Thoughts? 

Grand Forks Herald -- The recent poll in the Herald said that people would rather stay North Dakota by a 2 to 1 margin.

 I can be included in that group and the following is the reasoning for doing so:

UND’s identity was unique with the Fighting Sioux, it was never  a mascot but an identity.   Now people are in the process of finding a new something for a mascot which UND never had.  The closest was for years the fan group “The Farce”  had Kermit the Frog, which never appeared on UND letterheads.

Why on earth would UND want to become a re-tread of:

   1.  Another member of the animal kingdom (husky, bear, cougar, colt, a rodent, etc.)

   2. A bird of some type (eagle, cardinal, hawk)

   3. A person (cowboy, minutemen, pirate)

The list of things with which UND could identify was once, in the Herald’s April 4 edition, a thousand names long, now it’s not.  Why would we want to be a “just another” something like  every other university  with overlapping identities for their entire existence. UND was unique with its former identity, keep that uniqueness by not becoming a university with a mascot just like everybody else.

UND represents the entire state of North Dakota, which includes all people of your state.  

UND has the best aerospace studies in the U.S., a four-year med school, and other great academic programs. Why not be the leader in the entire U.S. in this regard by not having a mascot like we have not had?  UND never had a guy riding a horse with  spear like Florida State or Illinois with the guy who danced wildly at their athletic contests, so why start now with some cartoon-like representation.  Be who you are, which is a very proud population represented by the University of North Dakota.

Steve Molvig

Lovelock, Nev.

Weston Dressler Wouldn't Mind UND Being Named the Roughriders

Kim Thue from the Global News had some remarks from former Fighting Sioux football player Weston Dressler. Apparently, Drexler wouldn't mind UND being called the Roughriders.

Dressler said today it would be "pretty interesting to see if the 'Roughrider' name went through'.

— Kim Thue (@GlobalThue) June 16, 2015

Weston Dressler - the star of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and former star of the North Dakota Roughriders. #gold

— Kim Thue (@GlobalThue) June 16, 2015

UND is of course Weston Dressler's alma mater.

— Kim Thue (@GlobalThue) June 16, 2015

Get this: the leading candidate for the University's new nickname? Roughriders

— Kim Thue (@GlobalThue) June 16, 2015

The University of North Dakota is still in search of a new nickname after dropping 'Fighting Sioux' a few years ago....

— Kim Thue (@GlobalThue) June 16, 2015