Lawmakers discuss Sioux nickname at special session

The special session is underway for the North Dakota legislature, and one of the main issues being considered is whether to allow UND to dump the Fighting Sioux nickname that the NCAA considers offensive.

Eight months ago the Legislature ordered UND to keep the name. Now Grand Forks Senator Lonnie Laffen has introduced a bill to get rid of it.

Senator Lonnie Laffen – Grand Forks: “I've changed, not because the opponents wore me down, not because I now believe there's something wrong with the name, and not because I agree with the NCAA, I've changed because I love UND, and I'm seriously worried about its future.”

Governor Dalrymple told lawmakers it's time to give up the nickname.

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