NCAA to drop nickname settlement and sanctions altogether if UND wins hockey championship

We’ve just received word that the University of North Dakota has a tremendous opportunity to settle the Fighting Sioux nickname debate on the ice next weekend in St. Paul.

And it’s as simple as this: win two games at the Frozen Four, and keep the team name and logo forever.

NCAA president Mark Emmert said that the organization’s change of heart came after watching North Dakota play in the Midwest Regional in Green Bay, Wisconsin last weekend. Emmert said he was impressed by the quality of play and quality of character demonstrated by the Green and White against RPI and Denver. Furthermore, Emmert noted that he had been swayed by the sheer number of Sioux fans in attendance, also noting the pro-UND crowd at the WCHA Final Five.

Dr. Mark A. Emmert became the 5th Executive Director of the National Collegiate Athletic Association on November 1, 2010, and he has already made waves for his desire to have a serious discussion about whether and how to share some of the NCAA’s profits with student-athletes.

So it’s no surprise that the new president decided that the decision and settlement struck by predecessor Myles Brand deserved a second look. After some careful deliberation, Emmert came up with an idea that is both innovative and intriguing: let the team earn the right to keep the name by competing for it on the ice. He was clear, however, that anything less than a national championship would not sway the NCAA.

A news conference is scheduled for 4:01 p.m. CDT.