BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Six years after the NCAA deemed it hostile to American Indians, the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname could be nearing its end.
Lawmakers are preparing Wednesday to approve legislation allowing UND to drop its nickname and logo, the profile of an American Indian warrior.
The measure prohibits UND from adopting a new nickname or logo until January 2015, but allows it in the meantime to retire the contentious moniker.
In 2005, the NCAA listed UND among several schools with objectionable American Indian nicknames and logos. UND is the only school still fighting the NCAA over the issue.
A new state law requires UND teams to be known as the Fighting Sioux, but it’s causing scheduling problems and could affect UND’s bid to join the Big Sky Conference.
