Leader Wants To Drop 'Fighting Sioux' Lawsuit

A tribal college administrator is asking the Board of Higher Education to forgo a lawsuit over the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname, saying the money would be better spent promoting diversity. David Gipp is the president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. He says the board should instead use the money on creating more opportunities for American Indians and all North Dakotans, and promoting diversity. The Board of Higher Education is meeting at Williston State College tomorrow. Its members intend to consult Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem about the possibility of suing the N.C.A.A. for penalizing the use of the nickname and logo.The N.C.A.A. has ruled UND may not use the nickname and logo in postseason tournaments, nor host a postseason tournament if they're used. Last week, UND President Charles Kupchella drafted a letter to the N.C.A.A. in which he called the organization's decision self-righteous and arrogant and said it may have to be corrected through a lawsuit.