N. Dakota high court, board decisions end Fighting Sioux nickname after 4-year legal battle
By APThursday, April 8, 2010
North Dakota decisions end Fighting Sioux nickname
MAYVILLE, N.D. — The Fighting Sioux nickname is gone for good at the University of North Dakota.
On Thursday, decisions by North Dakota’s Supreme Court and Board of Higher Education led to the retirement of the long-disputed nickname.
The court ruled that the board had the authority to dump the nickname at any time. The court rejected an appeal that sought to delay action.
The board had voted last May to retire the nickname. A motion Thursday to reconsider that vote died.
Board president Richie Smith says he thinks no further action is required to end the nickname.
The court agreed to hear an expedited appeal after university officials pleaded with the board to decide the issue quickly so the school could pursue admission to the Summit League.
