UNDer the block

The University of North Dakota has caved to NCAA/Brand imperialism and has voted to make chop siouxee of the Fighting Sioux nickname, despite siouxing the NCAA for overstepping its authority.

UND Overlord Robert Kelly has made it quite clear that his whole plan has been to re-market the brand.

"What this permits the University of North Dakota to do is to start a marketing initiative," Kelley said. "Over time, I think we would see enhancement of our revenue structure for athletic programs. I think we would see the enhancement of fan interest."

Fan interest? Any ruler of a university that thinks that fan interest will increase (just as it did with Chief Illiniwek's removal) raises serious questions as to they are competent to run a university.

Kelley is obviously more interested in "enhancement of revenue structures" (ie his salary) than enhancement of Native American visibility in our institutions.
Marketing initiative? Hackademic translation: opportunistic, self-serving, bureaucratic avarice.

Posted by Hound No. 5