We believe our use of the nickname and logo is respectful and appropriate. ... A recent statewide poll showed our nickname is not offensive to a majority of American Indian people and, interestingly, one of four Indians polled indicate support for UND would be reduced if we changed the name. We are awaiting the results of our appeal to the NCAA.
The NCAA unfortunately has put us in a box where we now have to defend our honor, as it were, ... They've called us 'hostile and abusive,' and we know, because we live here, that there's no such thing here. We'll have to prove it, I guess.
No choice but to pursue an appeal.
They are told, by people with I don't know what kind of agenda, that the use of these things is hostile and abusive, and we're going to make the case that there is no such thing on this campus.
Obviously, we do not agree with the decision, and we will continue to press our case through all of the levels of review and beyond as necessary.
We had no choice but to respond to this group that says we're 'hostile or abusive. We decided we had to go after them - and that's what we did.
We understand there are people who prefer we not use this nickname. There may even be some who say they are not honored by it. But that certainly doesn't constitute a test of what is hostile and abusive.
We must press our case, because to let the charge of hostile and abusive stand would have a chilling effect to prospective faculty, staff and, most importantly, prospective American Indian students we are here to serve.
Because of the harshness of words like 'hostile' and 'abusive,' we have no choice but to pursue our appeal and prove -- at whatever level -- that there is no such thing here.
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