According to a published report in the Grand Forks Herald, the University of North Dakota will renew merchandise licenses to use the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo during 2011-2012 school year.
Citing the North Dakota Legislature’s passage of a law requiring UND to keep the nickname and the uncertainty that followed concerning how the issue might be resolved, the NCAA has told university officials that it won’t attend the scheduled meeting next Friday in Bismarck, N.D.
“Given the passage of HB 1263, it appears that the usage of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo has not been resolved between the institution and the state’s executive and legislative branches,” Bernard Franklin, the athletics association’s vice president for membership, wrote in an email to UND president Robert Kelley.
“The difference of opinion seems to transcend the nickname/logo issue to the fundamental matters of governmental operation and authority. The NCAA has no role in that discussion among state and university leaders scheduled for April 22 and so the NCAA believes it is appropriate to decline your invitation to attend that meeting.”
This past season was to have been the last year for the name and logo. UND had been working toward their retirement in August, but transition committees were told to suspend their work after the legislature acted.
