Because of recent news reports, loyal backers of UND's Fighting Sioux nickname are finally waking up to the reality that the days of the name and logo are numbered. I attempted to explain this to Sioux fans three months ago, but few seemed to believe it. In fact, the writing was on the wall after the state of North Dakota settled its lawsuit with the NCAA last October.
The good news - if you want to look at it that way - isn't that the NCAA or the tribes won. No, it's that the state of North Dakota simply gave up. The opportunity to play football against the University of Minnesota was more important to some key UND alumni and athletics supporters than the principle of free expression, the reason many of us waged the battle to retain the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo for so long.
As Abraham Lincoln once observed, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Thus, when UND athletics could no longer present a unified front on the issue, the state's political leaders decided the most practical approach was to strike the best deal possible with the NCAA and put the issue to rest once and for all.
Knowing that the end is near for the once-proud Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, I dedicate this rewritten version of the Eagles 1974 song "Already Gone."
I’m Already Gone
Well, I heard some Sioux fans whinin' just the other day
'Cause they fear someone’s gonna take me off the shelf
So I’ll give to you a clue that will be news to you
Yet I know darn well it's true
It means you'll have to pin the blame upon yourself
Yes I'm already gone
And I'm feelin' wronged
I will sing the loser’s song
Boo, hoo, hoo
Boo, hoo, hoo
The wording that you sold me made me stop and wonder why
But I guess you felt like you had to quit the fight
Just remember this, my fans, when you’re fallin’ for the spin
You can play the game but it doesn’t mean you’ll win (that’s right)
So I'm already gone
And I'm feelin' wronged
I will sing the loser’s song
Boo, hoo, hoo
Boo, hoo, hoo
Well I know just who it was who held me dear
Someone knows it was them who sold me out
So many times it happened that you closed your eyes to shame
Now you act like you don't know what it’s about
But me, I'm already gone
And I'm feelin' wronged
I will sing the losers song
'Cause I'm already gone
Yes, I'm already gone
And I'm feelin' wronged
I will sing the loser’s song
'Cause I'm already gone
Yes, I'm already gone
Already gone
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8 comments:
Fighting Goons!!! is perfect nickname for hockey team but not good for other activites.
I'm afraid you are right. The name was gone the moment the 'agreement' was signed. The political leaders will just not stand up and say so.
I figured it out not too long after you did PCM. When I saw that the NCAA was going to rewrite their policy and hit UND over the head regardless of the settlement. I believe North Dakota took what it could get and called it quits. I have felt since November that the Fighting Sioux moniker was gone.
Do you prefer Wild Nokotas or Fighting Nokotas?
GeauxSioux
I could go for either "Wild Nokotas" or "Fighting Nokotas." I prefer Wild Nokotas for a number of reasons. First, "Nokotas" has enough syllables in it that I think the shorter word is a bit easier on the tongue. Second, the Nokota is a wild horse. A synonym of "wild" is "untamed." To me, part of being a North Dakotan is having an indpendent streak and an untamed spirit. Third, to me, horses look sort of goofy and undignified when they're fighting. I like the image of a wild horse better than a fighting horse. Fourth, horse fighting is actually a barbaric sport practiced in some Asian countries. It's probably a stretch, but why give PETA or some other animal rights group a reason to complain about UND's nickname? I don't have strong feelings against "Fighting Nokotas." I just like "Wild Nokotas" better.
Hey,I could change my screen name at SiouxSports to GeauxWild.
:)
I like fighting Mallards or Yotes.
I also like the name Aeros.
Looks like the name has gotten around, although I don't agree with much of this....
"Another horse themed team may be in the making. The Nokota Horse Conservancy is campaigning to get
the University of North Dakota to replace the politically incorrect name of their football team, The Fighting Sioux with The Wild Nokotas or The Fighting Nokotas.
The Nokota horse is already the state horse, and takes its name from a combination of "North" and "Dakota" (did you ever notice that? I didn't). I turned up this bit of trivia while looking up Chief, the local Nokota celebrity who will be appearing at Celebrate the Horse, as I mentioned yesterday. He certainly could put on a half-time show!"
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsebytes/day.asp?pubdate=2/2/2008
Is just the football team changing names? ;)
Politically incorrect? In whose opinion?
GeauxSioux
As far as I know, the Nokota Horse Convervancy hasn't taken any official position on using Nokota as UND's new nickname. I have spoken to and corresponded with some members of the conservancy who said they are interested in the idea, but until UND officially says that it's looking for a new nickname, the organization probably won't address the issue. We may be getting close to that point, however.
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