"Will the NCAA also take a hard line in the matter of the Fighting Sioux nickname at UND?

It might.

But then again, it might not. Maybe North Dakota’s new law enshrining the Fighting Sioux nickname, coupled with the strong support of the Spirit Lake Tribe, will convince the association to relax the terms of its nickname settlement with the state.

So, the question facing nickname supporters is this: What’s the best way to boost the odds that the NCAA will accept the state’s case?

Clearly, the best way is exactly the way the State Board of Higher Education has chosen: Present a united front of state and university officials to make the pro-nickname case.

And the higher-ranking the officials, the better.

“Initial contacts have been made with the NCAA to arrange a meeting over developments in the UND Fighting Sioux nickname debate, a member of the North Dakota Board of Higher Education said Wednesday,” Herald staff writer Chuck Haga reports in today’s Herald.

A face-to-face meeting “could take place by the end of April."

Get the Story:
OUR OPINION: Getting to ‘yes’ with the NCAA (The Grand Forks Herald 3/31)

Also Today:
N.D. higher ed officials prepare to face NCAA over Sioux nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 3/31)

Related Stories:
Opponents of 'Fighting Sioux' name not ready to give up fight (3/23)
Opinion: New law to save 'Fighting Sioux' is unconstitutional (3/21)
Opinion: Tribes weren't included in 'Fighting Sioux' settlement (3/17)
North Dakota governor signs bill to keep 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/17)
Erich Longie: State going back on its word with 'Fighting Sioux' (3/16)
Opinion: There's nothing negative about using the word 'Sioux' (3/16)
Letter: Another broken promise with effort to save Fighting Sioux (3/14)
North Dakota governor will sign bill to save 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/11)
Indian lawmaker pushes for defeat of bill to save 'Fighting Sioux' (3/10)
North Dakota Senate committee votes against Fighting Sioux bill (3/9)
Opinion: Fighting Sioux name not an honor to Native Americans (3/7)
Letter: Tribes ignored as lawmakers fight to keep Fighting Sioux (3/7)
'The Indian and the White Guy' headed to North Dakota after all (3/4)
Comedy duo asked not to use 'Indian' during North Dakota show (3/3)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname an insult to Native Americans (3/2)
Letter: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe did not give up 'Sioux' name (2/23)
North Dakota House backs bill to save Fighting Sioux nickname (2/22)
UND University Senate opposes bills to revive 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/8)
Michael Eshkibok: Fighting Sioux a symbol of America's racist past (1/26)
Erich Longie: Too many lies for too many years on Fighting Sioux (1/24)
Letter: Board and tribes hold too much power over Fighting Sioux (1/20)
Letter: Respect tribal decisions about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/18)
Letter: Ask tribes in South Dakota about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/17)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' supporters must work through their grief (1/13)
Editorial: Republicans wasting time trying to save 'Fighting Sioux' (1/12)
North Dakota Republicans aim to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/11)