UND coaches travel state to talk about Fighting Sioux issue

FIghting Sioux
The Ralph Engelstad Arena, a sports arena on the University of North Dakota campus in Grand Forks, N.D., features thousands of American Indian head logos.
Associated Press/Dale Wetzel

A group of University of North Dakota coaches is travelling the state to promote a vote in next week's primary that would retire the school's Fighting Sioux nickname.

The tour included stops in Fargo and Bismarck on Tuesday. The coaches will appear in Minot on Wednesday.

Football coach Chris Mussman says there's no ``firm indication'' that UND will be allowed to remain in the Big Sky Conference if the name stays. He says it has created uncertainty in recruiting.

Sean Johnson, spokesman for the group that collected petitions for the measure, says there's nothing new in the UND campaign and it has instead bolstered his supporters.

Johnson questions the impact on recruiting and says the UND athletic department recently promoted a strong incoming class for the men's hockey team.