North Dakota introduces Fighting Hawks nickname

Fighting Hawks will replace the retired Fighting Sioux logo.

The University of North Dakota has changed its school nickname for all athletic teams to the Fighting Hawks, president Robert Kelley announced on Wednesday morning.

A five-day vote took place to decide between Fighting Hawks and Roughriders. A previous shortlist included the Nodaks, North Stars and Sundogs as other options before Fighting Hawks and Roughriders were selected as finalists.

The interlocking ND logo will continue to be used until a Fighting Hawks logo is designed.

The Fighting Sioux logo was first introduced at North Dakota in 1999. A bill was later introduced in the North Dakota House of Representatives to change the nickname, but it never made it out of committee.

In 2000, 21 Native American-related programs, departments and organizations said they were opposed to North Dakota’s use of the nickname and logo because they felt it disrespected their culture.

It's official: @myUND President Robert Kelley announces that our new nickname is 'Fighting Hawks.' pic.twitter.com/50t6a0FnUJ

— Jayson Hajdu (@JaysonHajdu) November 18, 2015

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In June 2012, the Board of Higher Education voted to retire North Dakota’s moniker and Indian head logo. A statewide vote also found that 67.35% of voters supported the name and mascot change. The school was not allowed to pick a new team name until 2015.

- Christopher Chavez