N.D. Stone-Floor Logo Fight Continues

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – A waterjet-cut granite mosaic – among other bits of stone and mortar – is the target here of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The Associated Press reports that the sports governing body wants the mosaic and other representations of the logo of the University of North Dakota removed or covered by the time the NCAA regional college hockey playoffs begin at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Building officials aren’t sure they will – or can – comply.
The logo represents the University of North Dakota’s team nickname of the Fighting Sioux. The name and the logo (designed by a UND alumnus and member of the Chippewa tribe) has been a source of protests from Native American groups for years.
The AP notes that NCAA considers the nickname and the logo “hostile and abusive.” UND is appealing the NCAA’s order.
The logos are part of the 110,000 ft² of granite flooring in the $104 million arena funded by Engelstad, who played hockey at UND and later built the Imperial Palace casino-hotels in Las Vegas and Biloxi, Miss. The floor features the mosaic logos, granite tiles and terrazzo.
Along with the granite flooring, the facility features leather seating for its full capacity of 11,400, 48 luxury suites, and a separate training facility with 14 locker rooms. “The Ralph,” as it’s often called, is considered one of the palaces of hockey in the United States and is a leading tourist attraction in North Dakota.
Building officials don’t know how many representations of the logo are either set in stone or otherwise included in the building, although the best guess is at least 3,000, according to the AP.
The school’s governing board considered the issue of the nickname and the logo in 2001. Engelstad, who died in 2002, reportedly threatened to end support of the arena’s construction if the name was changed. The board voted unanimously to keep the Fighting Sioux moniker, and the arena opened in the fall of 2001.