The University of North Dakota is known for their hockey team, they usually are competing to be on of the top teams in the country year after year. The Ralph Engelstad Area is probably one of the best college areas in the nation, some could compare it to a professional area, with its superior designs. As you walk up to the stadium you read "Home of North Dakota Hockey" which until recently said "Home of the Fighting Sioux". While attending a game you will notice the stadium is filled with the Sioux logo, and my favorite "You're in Sioux Country" banner.

If you are not from North Dakota like myself, you would most likely think that changing their nickname would not cause an uproar, and well you would be wrong. Since it has officially been change there has been serious backlash. Go to any game and majority of the fan will be wearing Sioux gear, even the students have Sioux jerseys. Throughout the game you will hear multiple Sioux chants. Ranging from the students yelling "Sioux" at the end of the National Anthem, to the students singing at the beginning of every period "North Dakota, North Dakota, North Dakota Fight Sioux. Raise your glasses, kick some asses. North Dakota here's to you" and to the nostalgic "Sioux Ya Ya" and responding "Ya Sioux Sioux". One would think that the nickname never left.

Since becoming a student at UND I am obviously an advocate for keeping the tradition alive. The nickname isn't meaning to displease or demean any group. It is just a nickname. "It's the legacy that lives here... growing up here and being around it so much makes it that much better every time I get to play in front of the best fans out there" said a Sioux alum.

This is for you, North Dakota; I hope one day the nickname will be back.

#siouxforever