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Education
Experts say UND will lose 'Fighting Sioux' fight



The "Fighting Sioux" logo of the University of North Dakota. ™ UND.
Two sports law experts say the University of North Dakota isn't likely to prevail in its fight to keep the "Fighting Sioux" nickname off the NCAA's list of abusive and hostile mascots.

Matt Mitten, a professor and director of the he National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University School of Law, said precedent favors NCAA because NCAA is a private organization. He said the NCAA has won nearly every case brought against it.

Paul Haagen, a professor with Duke University's Center for Sports Law and Policy, said UND probably won't succeed even if it gains the approval of tribes, as other schools have done. He said the NCAA, as a private organization, has the right to make its own rules and interpret them.

Get the Story:
COLLEGE NICKNAMES: Courting disaster (The Grand Forks Herald 10/9)

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

NCAA Policy:
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
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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