BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (DAL’-rim-puhl) has signed a law allowing the state’s flagship university to shed its 81-year-old Fighting Sioux nickname.
The measure signed Wednesday will let the University of North Dakota satisfy an NCAA request that it drop the name or risk sanctions. Lawmakers had passed a law in March requiring the school to keep the name.
The NCAA in 2005 listed the university among a group of schools with objectionable American Indian nicknames, logos and mascots. UND was the only school still fighting the NCAA over the issue.
The new law says UND cannot adopt a new nickname or logo until January 2015. Its supporters say that gives time for the debate to cool off.
