The North Dakota Board of Higher Education voted unanimously to "substantially" eliminate the "Fighting Sioux" logo and nickname by the end of the year.

The vote came after NCAA flatly told state officials that it won't accept the name because it is "hostile" and "abusive" to Indian people. The University of North Dakota faced sanctions for keeping the controversial symbol.

“We have exhausted all avenues and we are now going to have to retire the nickname.” state board president Grant Shaft said, The Grand Forks Herald reported.

The NCAA gave UND a chance to keep the nickname. Members of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation voted to support it but the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is on record in opposition.

Get the Story:
'EXHAUSTED': With NCAA holding firm, N.D. higher ed board again votes to drop UND's Sioux nickname, logo (The Grand Forks Herald 8/16)

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