While the move immediately retires the moniker used by UND athletic teams for more than 80 years, advocates for keeping it are circulating petitions to force another vote this November that would mandate the nickname under the state's constitution.
The nickname and American Indian head logo were first jettisoned in December 2010, after nickname supporters failed to meet an NCAA settlement agreement requiring approval from the state's two namesake Sioux tribes. The school was given until Aug. 15, 2011, to stop using the moniker.
The name was un-retired the first time in March 2011 after state lawmakers passed a bill requiring UND to use the logo. The law was repealed during a special session in November 2011, and the school, for the second time, began working on transition details, such as preserving logo history and renaming clubs, awards, and scholarships. That was put on hold in February after a group of nickname supporters turned in petitions to put the issue to a vote.
NCAA: The NCAA has cited three local colleges for their athletes' academic achievements. Each year, the NCAA tracks athletes' classroom performance on every Division I team through an academic achievement, known as APR. The score measures eligibility and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
St. Joseph's was cited for its baseball, men's golf, women's cross-country, women's lacrosse, and women's rowing teams.
Temple was cited for its field hockey, baseball, and men's gymnastics teams.
La Salle was cited for its field hockey and men's outdoor track teams.
Starting Friday, Division I men's basketball coaches will be able to send unlimited texts and make unlimited calls to recruits who have wrapped up their sophomore year of high school. The NCAA will also allow coaches to send private messages to prospective players through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
HORSE RACING: Churchill Downs is revamping the eligibility system that sets the field for the Kentucky Derby. Track president Kevin Flanery said the Louisville track is scrapping the system of using graded stakes earnings to determine Derby starters. It's being replaced by a point system that Flanery said will be more understandable for fans and horsemen.
The new system will remove some of the guesswork, he said. The 36 races that are part of the point system include key races during the 2-year-old season leading into the 3-year-old season.
- Staff and wire reports
