NCAA to Punish North Dakota Over 'Fighting Sioux' Name

The NCAA plans to penalize the University of the North Dakota for sticking with its Fighting Sioux nickname. Starting in August, the university can't host postseason sports tournaments and its players can't wear the logo in postseason games, reports the Grand Forks Herald. State lawmakers tried to shield the school from NCAA sanctions by passing a law requiring it to keep the nickname—and the NCAA said, ummm, no.

"Unfortunately, (the law) cannot change the NCAA policy," an NCAA executive explained in a letter to the school, notes AP. The NCAA deems the name offensive to American Indians and said the school could keep it only it got the permission of all local tribes. It failed to sway the Standing Rock Sioux tribes. (More University if North Dakota stories.)