Fighting HawksEdit
The Fighting Hawks are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The program spans numerous sports and competes at the NCAA Division I level, with hockey and other prominent programs drawing substantial regional support. The name, adopted in the early 2010s after the retirement of the former moniker, reflects a branding shift aimed at preserving athletic tradition while addressing concerns raised by Native American communities and national policy conversations about sports imagery. The Fighting Hawks compete across several conferences and associations, with football in a different conference than most other sports, and the premier hockey program aligned with a national conference for ice hockey. The overall aim is to maintain a strong athletic footprint in a region where college sports are deeply embedded in local life.
UND’s athletic teams compete primarily in the Big Sky Conference for most sports, while football competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The men’s hockey program, one of the program’s most storied divisions, now competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) after earlier years in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). These alignments shape scheduling, conference championships, and postseason opportunities, and they place the Fighting Hawks in a peer group that includes several other midwestern and northern institutions with long-standing hockey traditions. The university’s athletic history is closely tied to the broader culture of collegiate sports in the upper plains, including rivalries, alumni engagement, and regional media coverage. See also Big Sky Conference, Missouri Valley Football Conference, NCHC, and WCHA.
History
The University of North Dakota began fielding intercollegiate teams in the early 20th century and gradually built a nationwide reputation particularly in ice hockey. The program earned multiple national championships and produced a notable pipeline of players who advanced to professional leagues. The institution’s original nickname, the Fighting Sioux, was adopted decades ago and became a recognizable symbol in campus life, athletics, and local identity. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, sustained pressure from Native American groups, scholars, and national athletic authorities led to intense debate over the appropriateness of that imagery in a modern university setting. After a period of policy discussions and community dialogue, the university decided to retire the Fighting Sioux name and imagery. A branding process ensued, culminating in the adoption of the Fighting Hawks as the new overarching nickname for all UND athletic teams. The change reflected a broader national conversation about the use of Indigenous imagery in sports and the responsibilities of educational institutions to balance tradition with respectful representation. See also Native American and Sioux.
Name and branding
The transition from Fighting Sioux to Fighting Hawks was driven by concerns about cultural sensitivity and potential implications for relationships with Indigenous communities and tribal nations. Proponents argued that the change allowed UND to retain competitive spirit and local pride without perpetuating stereotypes or causing offense. Critics of the transition often cited tradition, alumni support, and the economic and branding consequences tied to a well-known nickname. The new Fighting Hawks branding emphasizes agility, independence, and a combative spirit appropriate to a broad, diverse fan base. The shift also intersects with broader guidelines and discussions around NCAA policy on Native American mascots and related debates about how universities represent their communities. See also Fighting Sioux and Native American mascot.
Controversy and debates
The name change at UND became a focal point in a wider national debate about sports mascots and the rights of Indigenous peoples to control the depiction of their cultures. Supporters of the change argued that it was a matter of respect and inclusive representation, aligning the university with evolving norms and reducing the risk of offense to Native communities across the region. Opponents argued that the move risked eroding institutional memory, alumni engagement, and the sense of shared history tied to decades of athletic competition and local identity. The controversy also touched on economic considerations, as branding and licensing can influence attendance, merchandise sales, and donor contributions. The conversation reflects a broader pattern in higher education where campuses weigh tradition against evolving standards for cultural sensitivity. See also NCAA policy on Native American mascots, Sioux, and Native American rights.
Undertakings of this sort rarely produce a single, neat resolution. In the case of UND, the campus and the state faced ongoing discussions about how best to honor Indigenous communities while preserving the university’s athletic competitiveness and fan engagement. The result has been a branding approach that seeks to maintain athletic intensity and regional pride while avoiding imagery that could be interpreted as disrespectful or demeaning. See also Fighting Sioux and Native American imagery in sports.
Athletics program and notable teams
The Fighting Hawks encompass a wide range of sports, many with strong regional followings. The men's ice hockey program, in particular, has a long and prominent history within national college hockey, producing players who move on to professional leagues. Other Olympic and collegiate-level athletes have contributed to the reputation of UND’s programs, from basketball and football to track and field and beyond. The university’s athletic identity is closely tied to community support, alumni networks, and regional media attention, all of which help sustain facilities upgrades, coaching hires, and program expansion. See also NCAA and Hockey (ice hockey).