Petitions Nixed At Engelstad Arena

A judge ruled that officials at the 12,000-capacity Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., didn’t have to allow the circulation of petitions that promote keeping the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname during a late December hockey game.

Arena officials said no to the petitions because political activity is not allowed at the venue.

Spirit Lake Sioux tribe members support the use of the nickname and logo but university officials want to drop them since the NCAA claims their use is derogatory to Native Americans.

A district judge backed arena officials’ decision but set a January hearing on the matter.