Just saw on the news that the casino run by the natives giving the U of M some big money. makes me wonder why the U of M took such a stand about a certain North Dakota team name. Naw, couldn't be connected. Could it?
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Dec 19, 2006 8:29 am US/Central
U Of M Stands Firm, Won't Play 'Fighting Sioux'
(AP) Grand Forks, N.D. The University of Minnesota's athletic director said the school has not strictly enforced a 2003 policy that discourages games with teams using American Indian nicknames and mascots. But that's about to change, according to Joel Maturi, university athletic director.
Maturi said his school won't compete against the University of North Dakota in any sport except men's and women's hockey because of UND's Fighting Sioux nickname.
Maturi said the policy won't affect other schools in the University of Minnesota system, such as Crookston and Duluth.
North Dakota Athletic Director Tom Buning said Minnesota's decision won't affect the school's Division One plans, adding that it is unfortunate that student athletes won't get the chance to play Minnesota.
Jim Antes is a member of UND Intercollegiate Athletic Committee who said the Fighting Sioux nickname may be -- in his words -- "closing doors."
UND and Minnesota are in the same hockey league. But the schools have not played each other in men's basketball since 1983 and have played just one women's basketball exhibition game since 1985.
then......
"The University of Minnesota's new football stadium is $10,000,000 closer to being paid for after a ceremony Friday morning at Williams Arena. University President Robert Bruininks made the announcement.
"I'm very pleased to announce that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has made a 12.5, $12.5 million gift to the University of Minnesota."
Ten million dollars is earmarked for the stadium, with the remaining $2,500,000. as seed money for scholarships endowment. The University will match that amount. The scholarships are to assist needy and American Indian students.
The money, of course, comes from the tribe's gambling revenues from the very profitable Mystic Lake Casino. Tribal Chair Stanley R. Crooks made it clear he understands the misgivings of some about gambling revenues, even indirectly, associated with sports.
"I feel very strongly not to mix gambling and sports, but this is the University of Minnesota. It's amateur sports. We support amateur sports throughout the state. I thought this is a great opportunity for the tribe and the tribe's revenues, without connection to the casino, Mystic Lake, to step up and make a presence known, not only for our tribe, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota, but to represent a position here in a long-standing venue at the University of Minnesota."
Crooks added that his interest was really peaked when the subject of the scholarships was added. "We're very happy that we're in a position that we can step out and do this."
The scholarships are to give preference to American Indian students, but not exclusively. Awards are also to be available to needy non-Indian applicants.
The gift is the latest of $100,000,000 in donations by the tribe to both tribal and non-tribal charities and causes over the last 10 years. Crooks says the tribe has "taken some knocks" because he says "it goes with the territory. As you get successful, not everybody is pleased or happy about it."
As for levels of giving, "We didn't go out and really toot our horn on it. We kind of let the gifts kind of speak for themselves." He did admit, however, that the tribe has been pleased with recent news articles listing their generosity.
As a "thank you" for the stadium money, the new football venue's front door will have a distinctly Dakota flair.
Bruininks explained. "Both the West Hospitality Plaza and the scholarship will be named in honor of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community."
The Plaza will have no mention of the Mystic Lake Casino. The name and design are still undetermined, but are to celebrate the heritage of all American Indian tribes in Minnesota.
Chair Crooks did give reporters a hint or two about the look he envisions. "(the Mdewakanton have) always been a tribe that has been associated with lakes and water, so I think a little pond or little waterfall or something."
The money for the stadium is regarded as the largest single private gift ever to the University's Athletic program. TCF Banks donated $30,000,000 for the naming rights to the stadium, but that is regarded as a sponsorship. "
First...Save | E-mail | Print
Dec 19, 2006 8:29 am US/Central
U Of M Stands Firm, Won't Play 'Fighting Sioux'
(AP) Grand Forks, N.D. The University of Minnesota's athletic director said the school has not strictly enforced a 2003 policy that discourages games with teams using American Indian nicknames and mascots. But that's about to change, according to Joel Maturi, university athletic director.
Maturi said his school won't compete against the University of North Dakota in any sport except men's and women's hockey because of UND's Fighting Sioux nickname.
Maturi said the policy won't affect other schools in the University of Minnesota system, such as Crookston and Duluth.
North Dakota Athletic Director Tom Buning said Minnesota's decision won't affect the school's Division One plans, adding that it is unfortunate that student athletes won't get the chance to play Minnesota.
Jim Antes is a member of UND Intercollegiate Athletic Committee who said the Fighting Sioux nickname may be -- in his words -- "closing doors."
UND and Minnesota are in the same hockey league. But the schools have not played each other in men's basketball since 1983 and have played just one women's basketball exhibition game since 1985.
then......
"The University of Minnesota's new football stadium is $10,000,000 closer to being paid for after a ceremony Friday morning at Williams Arena. University President Robert Bruininks made the announcement.
"I'm very pleased to announce that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has made a 12.5, $12.5 million gift to the University of Minnesota."
Ten million dollars is earmarked for the stadium, with the remaining $2,500,000. as seed money for scholarships endowment. The University will match that amount. The scholarships are to assist needy and American Indian students.
The money, of course, comes from the tribe's gambling revenues from the very profitable Mystic Lake Casino. Tribal Chair Stanley R. Crooks made it clear he understands the misgivings of some about gambling revenues, even indirectly, associated with sports.
"I feel very strongly not to mix gambling and sports, but this is the University of Minnesota. It's amateur sports. We support amateur sports throughout the state. I thought this is a great opportunity for the tribe and the tribe's revenues, without connection to the casino, Mystic Lake, to step up and make a presence known, not only for our tribe, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota, but to represent a position here in a long-standing venue at the University of Minnesota."
Crooks added that his interest was really peaked when the subject of the scholarships was added. "We're very happy that we're in a position that we can step out and do this."
The scholarships are to give preference to American Indian students, but not exclusively. Awards are also to be available to needy non-Indian applicants.
The gift is the latest of $100,000,000 in donations by the tribe to both tribal and non-tribal charities and causes over the last 10 years. Crooks says the tribe has "taken some knocks" because he says "it goes with the territory. As you get successful, not everybody is pleased or happy about it."
As for levels of giving, "We didn't go out and really toot our horn on it. We kind of let the gifts kind of speak for themselves." He did admit, however, that the tribe has been pleased with recent news articles listing their generosity.
As a "thank you" for the stadium money, the new football venue's front door will have a distinctly Dakota flair.
Bruininks explained. "Both the West Hospitality Plaza and the scholarship will be named in honor of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community."
The Plaza will have no mention of the Mystic Lake Casino. The name and design are still undetermined, but are to celebrate the heritage of all American Indian tribes in Minnesota.
Chair Crooks did give reporters a hint or two about the look he envisions. "(the Mdewakanton have) always been a tribe that has been associated with lakes and water, so I think a little pond or little waterfall or something."
The money for the stadium is regarded as the largest single private gift ever to the University's Athletic program. TCF Banks donated $30,000,000 for the naming rights to the stadium, but that is regarded as a sponsorship. "
