Cynical me, but I have to wonder whether, to some degree, UND's  
stance on this matter has anything to do with stipulations Ralph  
Englestad may have imposed when he donated the construction costs of  
the new Englestad Arena in 1999.  I seem to remember that he  
threatened to have his company withdraw from the project if the  
University voted to change either the school's athletic logo (Indian  
head) or nickname (Fighting Sioux).

	Could it be that there was a binding provision in the gift  
arrangement that (still) prevents the University from altering  
characteristics of this sort that are displayed in the arena?

	I know that the NCAA edict applies to all athletic teams/sites at  
UND, but is it possible that the University is making this stand (at  
least in part) because it is seeking to avoid a legal challenge in  
connection with any remodeling of their most expensive structure if  
the NCAA prevails in this matter?

	I'm sure there are far more weighty issues involved than those  
pertaining to the University's marquee sport and facility but,  
nevertheless, it's interesting to speculate.


Bill Corrigan

LET'S GO BRUNO!