Say good-bye to the Fighting Sioux and hello to the Fighting Hawks.
The University of North Dakota announced Wednesday that the Fighting Hawks has won the stakeholders’ runoff vote on the new university nickname, besting the Roughriders by 57.24 to 42.76 percent.
The university has had no nickname since 2012 after a bruising battle with the NCAA over its previous tag, the Fighting Sioux. In 2005, the NCAA threatened UND and about 20 other schools with sanctions unless they dropped their “hostile and abusive” Indian-themed nicknames, mascots and logos.
At a press conference, UND President Robert Kelley called it a “very, very exciting day,” saying he was “very pleased to let you know that we’ve brought the past to the point where we’re going to transition into our future on our nickname issue at this exceptional university.”
The 14-month nickname-selection process was led by a committee that considered 1,100 unique names submitted by students, alumni, donors and others involved with the university. No option received more than 50 percent in last month’s balloting, prompting the runoff between the top vote-getters.
School officials said 27,378 votes were cast in the five-day online runoff, which ended Monday, out of about 82,000 eligible voters.
SEE ALSO: North Dakota fans still embrace Fighting Sioux nickname, reject replacement monikers
Athletic director Brian Faison said the athletic program will phase in the nickname, using it immediately on social media and announcements, and eventually having it reflected on uniforms. The school plans to hire a vendor to develop a “graphic identity” to accompany the nickname, which is expected to be in place by the start of the 2016-17 academic year.
A few remnants of the Fighting Sioux will remain for historical purposes as outlined in the university’s settlement agreement with the NCAA. For example, the UND Alumni Association and Foundation Sioux Awards will continue under that name, Mr. Faison said.
During the press event live-streamed by WDAZ-TV in Grand Forks, Mr. Kelley was asked if he had “spent way too much of your time here on this issue.”
“Yes,” he said, prompting laughter.
On the Facebook page UND Fighting Sioux Hockey, which is privately maintained by fans, reaction to the new nickname ranged from “awful, just awful” to “I still like Fighting Sioux better but this at least has part of the old nickname.”
Whether the Fighting Hawks nickname will convince boosters to abandon their Fighting Sioux spirit wear and chants at Ralph Engelstad Arena is another question. The NCAA has warned that it may take action if other teams complain about the cries of “Go Sioux” at games.
“I hope the ’Fighting Sioux’ chants continue at games for years to come,” said Jeff Feller of Surrey, North Dakota, on the Facebook page.
After a decade of lawsuits, legislation and even a statewide vote on Fighting Sioux, however, university officials said they are hopeful fans are ready to move on and embrace the new nickname.
“We’re excited. Go Fighting Hawks! You’re going to hear that a lot in the future,” said UND spokesman Peter Johnson.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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