Nickname legal battle empties litigation fund
UND still owes about $3,000 in fees for the NCAA lawsuit which was recently settled
Nikki Voigt
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
The UND Alumni Association litigation fund that was used for the legal battle against the NCAA over the Fighting Sioux nickname is currently empty.
"There is nothing left in the fund," said LeAnna Anderson, public relations coordinator and media relations coordinator for the Alumni Association.
According to Anderson, the total bill for the nickname lawsuit came to $885,972.25 and UND still owes $2,995.11 in legal fees.
The NCAA did not release the cost of its defense.
The fees were paid to both Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's Office, who represented UND in the lawsuit, and the Salt Lake City law firm Fabian and Clendenin, who assisted the Attorney General.
Anderson said that the remaining balance will be paid by additional donations. "We have promises from donors that the bill will be paid," she said.
The litigation fund was originally made up of donations from confidential donors. "There have been 16 different donors since we started managing the funds in March," Anderson said.
UND was suing the NCAA over a mandate barring them from displaying the Fighting Sioux logo or nickname in postseason play.
The North Dakota University System approved a settlement between UND and the NCAA in October. UND has until Nov. 30, 2010 to gain nickname approval from both the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe.
If support is not given from these tribes, the school will have until Aug. 15, 2011 to change to a new nickname and make changes to athletic teams and venues, including removing logos from the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
"There is nothing left in the fund," said LeAnna Anderson, public relations coordinator and media relations coordinator for the Alumni Association.
According to Anderson, the total bill for the nickname lawsuit came to $885,972.25 and UND still owes $2,995.11 in legal fees.
The NCAA did not release the cost of its defense.
The fees were paid to both Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's Office, who represented UND in the lawsuit, and the Salt Lake City law firm Fabian and Clendenin, who assisted the Attorney General.
Anderson said that the remaining balance will be paid by additional donations. "We have promises from donors that the bill will be paid," she said.
The litigation fund was originally made up of donations from confidential donors. "There have been 16 different donors since we started managing the funds in March," Anderson said.
UND was suing the NCAA over a mandate barring them from displaying the Fighting Sioux logo or nickname in postseason play.
The North Dakota University System approved a settlement between UND and the NCAA in October. UND has until Nov. 30, 2010 to gain nickname approval from both the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe.
If support is not given from these tribes, the school will have until Aug. 15, 2011 to change to a new nickname and make changes to athletic teams and venues, including removing logos from the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Alison Worth
posted 2/23/09 @ 11:37 PM CST
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often read "N-C-Double-A" or more rarely,"N-C-2-A") is a voluntary association of about 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States (and, potentially, Canadian universities as well). (Continued…)
Matt Burton-Kelly
posted 2/24/09 @ 10:29 AM CST
All that money that could have been used for education...
jr
posted 2/24/09 @ 6:44 PM CST
Alison Worth sounds like a PR person for the NCAA. Here is a more realistic description from Murray Sperber, one of the most recognized critics of the organization:
"The NCAA functions mainly as a trade association for college coaches and athletic directors, implementing their wishes regardless of whether these are in the best interests of the member schools. (Continued…)
Matt Burton-Kelly
posted 2/24/09 @ 10:34 PM CST
I think Alison Worth is another spammer.
Look, here's the thing: I enjoyed being a student athlete (track and field) when I was in undergrad. It was great to participate in our confrence, state, and regional meets, and it was amazing to host the NCAA Division III national meet. (Continued…)
Caroline Pellyn
posted 3/02/09 @ 8:03 AM CST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Paula Hassey
posted 4/19/09 @ 4:07 AM CST
Yes i agree with you , and nice news thanks. This realy nice news , i watch for them .
tomfeinberg
Research Paper Help
posted 4/21/09 @ 4:55 AM CST
"There have been 16 different donors since we started managing the funds in March," interesting words, thanks for the writing!
Bartlett Saus
posted 6/20/09 @ 9:35 AM CST
This article is amazing. I'm going to spend so much time procrastinating on here. I'm not quite sure if I should be thanking you, or cursing you
Bartlett Saus
posted 6/23/09 @ 6:17 AM CST
This article is amazing. I'm going to spend so much time procrastinating on here. I'm not quite sure if I should be thanking you, or cursing you
Phil Hoza
posted 6/28/09 @ 10:58 PM CST
From: PhilHoza@aol.com
As a old alumni and proud support of UND and the Fighting Sioux, but realizing fighting over a name is a waste of time and can be changed for the better in order to move on to a better University and team logo. (Continued…)
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