Paradoxically, the University of North Dakota's move to Division I sports announced earlier this week could neutralize the nickname issue.

Once UND becomes a full-time D-I school in 2008-09, it will not be able to compete in NCAA postseason events during a five-year transition period anyway, per the organization's reclassification rules.

The men's and women's hockey teams, which already are Division I, are the only two Sioux programs that will be able to compete in NCAA postseason events during that period, from fall 2008 to fall 2013.

But regional playoff sites in those sports already are determined for years in advance, and Grand Forks isn't scheduled to host.

It does influence the last two years of UND's play in D-II, and President Charles Kupchella still plans to pursue the lawsuit against the NCAA.