The NCAA unfortunately has put us in a box where we now have to defend our honor, as it were, ... They've called us 'hostile and abusive,' and we know, because we live here, that there's no such thing here. We'll have to prove it, I guess.

They are told, by people with I don't know what kind of agenda, that the use of these things is hostile and abusive, and we're going to make the case that there is no such thing on this campus,

We believe our use of the nickname and logo is respectful and appropriate. ... A recent statewide poll showed our nickname is not offensive to a majority of American Indian people and, interestingly, one of four Indians polled indicate support for UND would be reduced if we changed the name. We are awaiting the results of our appeal to the NCAA.

We understand there are people who prefer we not use this nickname. There may even be some who say they are not honored by it. But that certainly doesn't constitute a test of what is hostile and abusive.

We believe the NCAA is completely out of bounds in having promulgated its ill-conceived policy on nicknames in the first place.

I would not accept a donation from a donor who would make a condition. We're trying to set up an unconditional endowment to support Sioux Indian students.

It has actually widened the gap and increased the negative rhetoric, ... It has not been helpful with anything at all. It's like playing two record players in a room whenever there's a discussion about it.

We've given them a resolution, ... The only way I can understand it is that they are saying to Spirit Lake 'are you sure you want to do that?'

I did tell him I was going to issue this appeal. I have talked with no fewer than several dozen American Indians on this, him included.

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the Sioux.