BISMARCK
The Senate Delayed Bills Committee today accepted for introduction a bill to repeal the Legislature's mandate that UND continue to use the Fighting Sioux nickname.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Lonnie Laffen, R-Grand Forks, who told the committee, "What I have come to realize is the damage that will come to UND" if the nickname continues.
Laffen said that maintaining a strong athletic program would be "virtually impossible without the Big Sky Conference ," which has expressed concerns about the continuing nickname issue.
"College athletics is a very big deal," affecting the school's image, the recruiting of students and building an alumni base, Laffen said in response to a question about whether the nickname affects UND beyond athletics.
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All five members of the committee voted to accept the bill, which will be heard at a joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees at 2:30 this afternoon.
