According to a report in the Grand Forks Herald, the Fighting Sioux logo can stay at Ralph Engelstad Arena as the NCAA has reportedly backed off its demand on removing the name and logo from North Dakota’s home rink.
The NCAA agreed to the changes after one of its top officials, vice president Bernard Franklin, visited Grand Forks in August and toured the arena with attorney general Wayne Stenehjem, UND president Robert Kelley, rink general manager Jody Hodgson and Earl Strinden, who as leader of the UND alumni association had helped to arrange the late Ralph Engelstad’s gift to build the arena bearing his name.
An addendum passed this week requires removal of large signs on the outside of the arena that say “Home of the Fighting Sioux” as soon as possible, Stenehjem said to the paper, and replacement of the logo carpeting as it wears out.
The “Home of the Fighting Sioux” signs are not accurate, according to Stenehjem, “because it isn’t the home of the Fighting Sioux anymore since the State Board retired the name.”
Stenehjem also said it will be “up to the managers of the arena how quickly they can do it, and they will have to decide what they replace it with, ‘Home of UND Hockey’ or ‘Home of Champions’ or whatever.”
Stenehjem added that he was “pleased that the NCAA was willing to show flexibility in its policy.”
