North Dakota's state Senate supports the removal of UND's Fighting Sioux nickname. State law currently forces UND use the nickname, and they've faced NCAA sanctions because of it. If the new law passes, UND will have to wait three years before choosing a new nickname.

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux are soon to be without a nickname. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple signed legislation today allowing UND to remove the nickname, thus opening the door to join the Big Sky Conferences and host NCAA events.

Most of that cash would go into developing a new nickname and logo, according to a letter from university president Robert Kelley to the state's budget auditor. Removing the old logos would also cost tens of thousands of dollars.

A group of tribal members filed the suit against the NCAA seeking at least $10 million and a reversal of a policy banning the use of American Indian imagery. The Forum reports a U.S. District judge ruled in favor of the NCAA and dismissed the lawsuit.

The University of North Dakota must forfeit postseason play if the school displays the controversial nickname or logo, the NCAA said in a letter to the university provost.

The University of North Dakota resurrected the nickname after supporters hoping for a last-minute victory rounded up 17,000 signatures, more than enough to put the issue on the state's ballot.

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple signed a law that will allow the university to drop the "Fighting Sioux" moniker. The NCAA told the school to drop the name or face sanctions.

The University of North Dakota, for the third time, dropped the "Fighting Sioux" nickname Thursday. The move became official when the Board of Higher Education voted to remove the nickname and Indian head logo. Petitions are already being circulated to bring the nickname and logo back to life.