Roy’s View on the North Dakota Mascot Search

Just by chance I was on location for one of the big developing sports stories in the upper Midwest this week. I was in Grand Forks as the search for a new nickname began.

I took my son, Aaron, and his good friend Jordan on a college visit to the University of North Dakota. Headlines in the student paper and the Grand Forks daily indicate the school is now accepting suggestions for a nickname to replace The Fighting Sioux, which was discontinued a couple of years ago. Although it does still have a strong presence on everyone's T-shirts and sweatshirts on campus. Then there's the question of the hockey arena where the Indian head logo is prominently displayed.

We found out more than 35 percent of UND students are from Minnesota. But any reference to the Gophers might have gotten us booted off campus. Considering the current hockey picture with UND in the frozen four, I'm surprised they didn't use that as part of their sales pitch. North Dakota plays Boston University on Thursday, April 9.

I can only imagine how many people will suggest the mascot return to be The Fighting Sioux. I doubt they will release that number. Considering I have a son who is unsure of where he will go to college, may I suggest the nickname Undecideds? It starts with the letters UND, which is quite unique for a mascot. It should make students feel like switching their major is another form of school spirit.

Our trip through North Dakota this spring break includes a stop in Fargo to visit North Dakota State University. I hope we don't get run over by a Bison.