2008 Woodie Awards
Rumors prove untrue in REA agreement
Stigma of 'Dear Chuck' letter on logo and nickname issue continues to confuse many.
Kyle Johnson
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News
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Ralph Engelstad's Dec. 20, 2000 letter to UND President Charles Kupchella has often been credited with inspiring the State Board of Higher Education to cement the status of the "Fighting Sioux" logo and nickname. The letter also seems to have started a series of rumors that are still recanted to this day.
As Engelstad's namesake hockey arena was being constructed, a presidential committee was looking into the logo and nickname issue to decide what UND needed to do. The frustration of Engelstad, a former hockey goalie and an ardent supporter of the "Fighting Sioux" moniker, boiled over in the letter, later referred to as the "Dear Chuck" letter.
In that document, Engelstad tells Kupchella to either approve the logo and "slogan" soon, or construction on the arena would be halted and Engelstad would view the shell of the building as a "bad investment." He felt that "commitments" from UND had not been met during the construction. Just one day after Engelstad's threat, the state board voted unanimously to keep the name and logo at UND.
"Commitments were made to me by others and yourself (Kupchella), regarding the Sioux logo and the Sioux slogan, before I started the arena and after it had been started. These promises have not been kept, and I, as a businessman, cannot proceed while this cloud is still hanging above me," the letter says.
Although the letter makes references to promises made about keeping the logo, Kupchella said this is not how the agreement happened.
"I don't have any idea what he's talking about there," he said. "I can tell you that no promises were made to him by anybody in authority."
The lease agreement between UND and Engelstad outlined the construction of the arena, and also set up the structure of the non-profit entity that is currently running it. That agreement, however, does not mention the logo or nickname whatsoever.
Kupchella said that the agreement, which legally prevented Engelstad from halting construction of the arena once it began, is proof that no promises had been made to the UND benefactor.
As Engelstad's namesake hockey arena was being constructed, a presidential committee was looking into the logo and nickname issue to decide what UND needed to do. The frustration of Engelstad, a former hockey goalie and an ardent supporter of the "Fighting Sioux" moniker, boiled over in the letter, later referred to as the "Dear Chuck" letter.
In that document, Engelstad tells Kupchella to either approve the logo and "slogan" soon, or construction on the arena would be halted and Engelstad would view the shell of the building as a "bad investment." He felt that "commitments" from UND had not been met during the construction. Just one day after Engelstad's threat, the state board voted unanimously to keep the name and logo at UND.
"Commitments were made to me by others and yourself (Kupchella), regarding the Sioux logo and the Sioux slogan, before I started the arena and after it had been started. These promises have not been kept, and I, as a businessman, cannot proceed while this cloud is still hanging above me," the letter says.
Although the letter makes references to promises made about keeping the logo, Kupchella said this is not how the agreement happened.
"I don't have any idea what he's talking about there," he said. "I can tell you that no promises were made to him by anybody in authority."
The lease agreement between UND and Engelstad outlined the construction of the arena, and also set up the structure of the non-profit entity that is currently running it. That agreement, however, does not mention the logo or nickname whatsoever.
Kupchella said that the agreement, which legally prevented Engelstad from halting construction of the arena once it began, is proof that no promises had been made to the UND benefactor.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
Dave Garton
posted 3/02/07 @ 11:32 AM CST
I don't know what has been said or promised in private by UND or the late Mr. Engelstad over the use of the logo or Sioux nickname nor do I care.
I do know that one day the politically correct police will win in there quest in changing the nickname through the court system. (Continued…)
Kris Kerzman
posted 3/02/07 @ 4:20 PM CST
I was in the student senate meeting the night Reggie Morelli, then head of the REA, announced that there was an agreement between Ralph Engelstad and the University of North Dakota. (Continued…)
Al Nowatzki
posted 3/02/07 @ 6:54 PM CST
I was in the same student senate meeting that Mr. Kerzman references. In fact, I took some photos of this meeting that were later published in the Dakota Student (right around November 7th, 2000). (Continued…)
Jeff Achen
posted 3/02/07 @ 7:53 PM CST
I was the Dakota Student news editor and lead reporter on this issue during that time. I also recall Kerzman's reporting on Mr. Morelli's comments about "conditions. (Continued…)
John Hoff
posted 3/03/07 @ 2:32 PM CST
It's obvious there is a lot of paperwork that hasn't been made public and, really, it should all be made public. State open records requests would be the way to do this. (Continued…)
alumni
posted 3/04/07 @ 3:18 PM CST
A gift isn't a gift when you stick stipulations behind it... whether it's in writing or verbally, it's just not a gift.
The best word for this is a Bribe. (Continued…)
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