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UND to file lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' name
Friday, June 16, 2006

The University of North Dakota will file to keep the school's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo off the NCAA's list of hostile and abusive mascots.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education voted 8-0 to authorize the suit. The board includes Charles Murphy, the former chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

UND was placed on NCAA's list last August. Since then, the NCAA has rejected two appeals.

Other schools have been cleared to use their mascots after securing permission from namesake tribes. But UND has not been able to convince Sioux tribes in North Dakota to support the "Sioux" name and logo.

The school will be represented by the state attorney general but no public funds will be used to pay for the lawsuit. The UND Foundation is expected to pick up the tab.

Get the Story:
UND v. NCAA (The Grand Forks Herald 6/16)
N. Dakota to Sue NCAA Over Nickname (The Washington Post 6/16)
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Fighting Sioux issue headed for N.D. court (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 6/16)
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NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Staff Decision on Fighting Sioux:
Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on University of North Dakota Review(September 28, 2005)

NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com
North Dakota Board of Higher Education - http://www.ndus.nodak.edu/sbhe
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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