FanPost

The Fighting Sioux and NCAA Weenies


Look at this article about the recent nonsense imposed on the North Dakota woman's hockey team in the NCAA tournament - http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/231771/group/homepage/ I suppose the same lunacy will apply to the men's tournament if the Fighting Sioux get invited. It now appears that UND will continue to use the name until a proposed statewide referendum proposing to amend their state constitution to require the name plays out. The school's academicians and president have agreed with the NCAA's position but the vast majority of alums and local fans do not. Here is a letter I wrote to the NCAA president last fall.

Dear Mr. Emmert: I trust you believe in fair play. I also trust that you abhor bullying of any kind. If true, then ask yourself what would have been the likelihood of the NCAA going after the University of North Dakota over its Fighting Sioux moniker in the same manner had that school had the resources and athletic prestige/history of say a Notre Dame or a Florida State. The NCAA is bullying a weak institution and you know it. I have no problem with the NCAA taking on the "Fighting Sioux" as long as it simultaneously takes on the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish", the Florida State "Seminoles", the Illinois "Fighting Illini", the San Diego State "Aztecs", the Central Michigan "Chippewas", the Bradley "Braves", the Hawaii "Rainbow Warriors", the University of Pennsylvania "Quakers" and the Utah "Utes" - to name a few. And any attempt to draw distinctions between any of these names and the Fighting Sioux would be absurd and highly offensive to the ethnic group involved. No one team should be singled out here. Nonetheless, you have chosen to circle the smallest kid in the playground least able to scream and fight. Shame on you!! The NCAA is all about integrity. Your position singling out this small state school in North Dakota doesn't pass the straight face test. It shows a lack of courage and integrity as it is pretty clear you wouldn't have dared taken on a Notre Dame or a Florida State and their huge alumni populations over this issue. I strongly recommend you suspend your position on North Dakota until you have implemented a strategy for attacking all of these other major school monikers at the same time and in a consistent manner.
Your credibility and integrity are very much at stake here. Do the right thing. Sincerely,
Chief Fukowi