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A breakdown of the battle: Fighting Sioux nickname

By Washington Examiner
Published June 12, 2012 10:15pm ET
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A breakdown of the battle: Fighting Sioux nickname
FILE - This March 16, 2012, file photo shows North Dakota hockey players wearing Fighting Sioux logo jerseys that were replaced by new jerseys during WCHA Final Five Championships in St. Paul, Minn. The years-long battle over the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux moniker is in voters’ hands Tuesday, June 12, 2012, as a measure to nix the nickname hits the ballot. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) | Jim Mone

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The history:

The University of North Dakota debuted the “Sioux” part of its nickname more than 80 years ago. UND’s student newspaper on Oct. 3, 1930, hyped the change with a front-page headline reading: “‘Sioux’ replaces ‘Flickertail’ as Captain of University Sports Teams.” Flickertail, the previous nickname, referred to a type of ground gopher. Apparently, school officials decided the rodent didn’t instill appropriate fear in opponents.

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