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THEDAKOTASTUDENT
Letters to the editor: nickname and logo retirement To the Editor, The retirement of the Fighting Sioux nickname must continue. For me, the name has always been a source of pride, tradition, honor and excellence, and always will be. As a letter winner and part of a family of four generations of UND athletes, the Fighting Sioux will always be a part of who I am and those close to me. But those feelings and pride are not the focus of this matter any longer. In 2012, the issues have extended themselves far beyond the sanctions imposed by the NCAA on teams that use American Indian imagery. Institutions in desirable conferences, in addition to other universities we, by tradition and aspiration, want to compete with, have clearly made known their absolute unwillingness to compete with UND as the Fighting Sioux. It is beyond naïve and inaccurate to suggest these facts are wrong. Given this evolving reality, during the special session last November, state lawmakers reversed an earlier vote requiring UND to remain the Fighting Sioux. The State Board of Higher Education followed by voting to end UND’s use of the nickname and logo, starting January 1. Two recent petition drives seek to reinstate the name through statewide votes. The petition turned in on Feb. 7 would repeal the Legislature’s November vote, reinstating the law requiring the name. The second would put the Fighting Sioux nickname in the state constitution. While I respect those who choose to fight for the name, there
are very real, dire consequences if the petitions are successful. The future of UND, athletically, academically, in stature and in reputation is at stake. The following facts guide my opinion: 1. Without a quality Division I conference, UND will be isolated. It is absolutely clear the Big Sky Conference will not accept us as the Fighting Sioux. This clear message was repeated again this week by Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton. The presidents of Big Sky member institutions do not want a university on NCAA sanctions. They don’t want to alienate nearby American Indian tribes. The message is clear: “We don’t want your problems on our campuses!” The Summit League also took a similar stance during earlier conference discussions. It is not a stretch to suggest we could find ourselves homeless athletically. 2. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa all have institutional policies that won’t allow their athletic teams to compete with schools under NCAA sanctions due to American Indian imagery. They each reiterated this in formal terms this week, and this trend appears to be gaining ground. Many have commented on the magical atmosphere at Ralph Engelstad Arena during the January men’s hockey series with Minnesota. With Minnesota moving to a different conference, this legendary rivalry will likely never return to Grand Forks if UND is still the Fighting Sioux. 3. Top student-athletes come to compete against the best. As
the Division I transition concludes with our entry into the Big Sky next fall, and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference begins play in 2013, UND reflects its academic reputation, traditions, and accomplishments through athletics. If we lose the Big Sky and the great competitive history of the Minnesota and Wisconsin hockey series, recruiting will be a nightmare for our coaches. UND’s coaches, administrators, and fan base have combined to put us into an attractive competitive situation. It would be tragic to throw that away, and would effectively reduce UND’s stature. 4. There is no doubt in my mind this great University will be harmed academically. Recruitment and retention of top faculty, administrators and students is difficult when our academic excellence is overshadowed by controversy. These facts were not created by someone in North Dakota. They are simply a reflection of our competitive environment if we want to contend for championships in Division I. We are past the point where we must put this issue behind us. The traditions of the Fighting Sioux will always be celebrated, and will always be an important piece of our history. We have spent too much time focused inward, dividing teammates, friends and families while depleting UND’s tremendous potential. I am completely opposed to the petition drives. Their potential outcomes are not in the best interests of UND, and they especially
ignore the student-athletes of today and those we will be proud of in the future! At times in life, personally and professionally, we have to cut our losses and move on. That time has arrived for the name and logo. Together, we can continue to accomplish great things. Divided, we diminish our potential and significantly damage our future. Sincerely, Tim O’Keefe, ’71 Executive Vice President & CEO UND Alumni Association & UND Foundation
To the Editor, As an alumnus of UND (’83, ‘85), I, like many others, have an extreme passion for the Sioux nickname and logo. I am and always will be a Fighting Sioux. While I still hold out some hope that the nickname will remain, it is becoming clearer with each passing day that keeping the name may not in the best interest of UND. While I hate to give up our logo, I find that I am having a more difficult time giving up our nickname. I cannot see myself yelling something other than “Sioux” as I cheer on UND Athletics. The name is not only a part of our school songs and cheers and history, it is deeply imbedded in our psyche. We have such passion for the nickname, in part, because it is unique and powerful. When sports fans around the country hear “Fighting Sioux”, they think “University of North Dakota”.
While I would like nothing more than the name to continue, I also do not want any harm to come to the university. So, what do we do? Is there a way to have both the Big Sky and our nickname? I believe there may be a nickname that would allow us to continue our full emergence into Division I without penalty while at the same time keeping the name (well, sort of ). While the nickname may be farremoved from North Dakota, it’s really no different than the nicknames for the Utah Jazz or L.A. Lakers. As a nickname, it’s both powerful and unique. I believe the University of North Dakota “Tsunami” could have potential. While the Miami Hurricanes are also known as the ‘Canes, we could be known as the “Tsu”. Even if this nickname is not considered, the point is we can come up with something unique that would not hurt our university. Personally, I like Tsunami and think it has potential. Also, as an aside, I feel the NCAA and, to a lesser extent, the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin have created hypocritical, arbitrary and self-serving policies with regard to the Fighting Sioux name and logo. While they may be forcing us to get rid of our incredible logo, I don’t want to give them the satisfaction of also taking away the proud tradition of our name (no matter how you spell it). Go ‘Tsu! Jeff Houdek
Elton John: the last and DSU scandal best musician of our time shakes NDUS
today’s pop and rap stars are called “artists” instead of “musicians”; there is a big difference. Tickets to go see Sir Elton When you put a program into a John went on sale this past Mon- computer and have it create difday, and I am sure that they will be ferent sounds, that is not music. gone in a few weeks. Who wouldn’t When you sit down and take the time to learn want to go instrusee one of Who wouldn’t want an ment like a the greatest musicians of to go and see one of guitar or a then our lifetime? the greatest musi- piano, you have If I had the the ability to money, I cians of our time? produce muwould be holding on Patrick Cavanaugh sic. Anyone to a ticket columnist can sit down, download a myself. Then DJ app, get again, I am a lover of what you might call good at it and be called an artist. “older” music. However, what Few people have the patience to become musicians. you call old, I call real. I think there may be a reason Elton John is, in my opinion, one of the last few professional that so many musicians are going musicians. Now, before you de- on tour this year. They want us cide to storm U Place and string to remember what real music was me up for treason, let me explain. like. Back in the day people gathWhat makes music? Is it simply a ered to see musicians play their rhythmic beat? If you knock your instruments, then smash them knuckles on the counter, can you on the stage while the drummer call that music? Some say yes, drained his glass of Morgan. If others say no. I myself believe you watch footage of other bands that something as simple as that from back in the day, they are all is more musical that what a lot of doing this. They are having fun. today’s top “artists” are produc- They are on stage because they care about music, and they genuing. I have to say, I am glad that inely love what they do. Today it
patrick cavanaugh THEDAKOTASTUDENT
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seems like people only care about the money and recognition. Back to the concert; it was amazing to see what concerts were like when bands like Led Zeppelin, the Who and the Rolling Stones were the biggest names on the music scene. Even those of us who listen to classical music can tell the difference between music and today’s, um, sounds. The absolute musician is someone who plays in band, orchestra or choir. I’m sure that many of the choir students we have here hate the idea of an auto-tuner. It takes so long to learn and perfect all these skills, and these new artists use technology to do everything for them. Talk about lazy. Unfortunately for me, the decades of rock and roll are long gone, though this year may be the biggest for touring musicians; Roger Waters (bassist and singer of Pink Floyd), Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Elton John and the Rolling Stones are just a few names that are going to be hitting the stage in 2012. I hope that many of our generation give some of this music a chance, and remember what real music was like. Patrick Cavanaugh is a something for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at patrick.cavanaugh@my.und.edu
jon hamlin
THEDAKOTASTUDENT
Anyone who pays attention to what goes on in the North Dakota University System (NDUS) will have heard about what is happening at Dickinson State University. An audit recently done on the university showed that 400 foreign students who had received four-year diplomas since 2003 did not complete the graduation requirements. The scandal doesn’t stop there either. The school faces massive fines from the Department of State for student visa violations, and sanctions from other federal agencies. Add to that the tragic new that, DSU professor, Doug LaPlante, 59, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and it’s not all that difficult to understand that Dickinson State University is hurting and in many different ways. But, the situation at Dickinson State doesn’t stop casting its shadow in Dickinson itself; the shadow extends across the entire state and is a blemish, a terrible, terrible blemish, on the once reputable track record of the NDUS. Now the Department of Education and Department of State will be keeping a close eye, not just on Dickinson State, but on all universities
that are a part of the NDUS; not to mention the pressure that the State Board of Higher Education and North Dakota State Legislature will be putting on universities across the state. There is a concern that what happened in Dickinson State will hurt enrollment and the image of universities like the University of North Dakota. But, is that a valid concern? Of course it is. But, we, collectively and as a university system, must realize that this just as easily could have happened anywhere else… but, it didn’t, it happened at Dickinson State. The NDUS dragging its feet isn’t going to help anything. Yes, we are— and should be—mourning for the death of Dr. LaPlante, and the damage this scandal has done to the NDUS; but, the point is not to get stuck in that mode of thinking. What do we do? The only thing we can do. The NDUS continues to strive to provide the best education it possibly can to students both in the state and out of state, both in and out of the country. To move forward, you’ve got to be looking forward and that’s what the NDUS has got to do. Jon Hamlin is the Managing/ Opinion Editor for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at jon.s.hamlin@my.und.edu