BISMARCK, N.D., March 12 (UPI) -- A bill making the Fighting Sioux, the University of North Dakota sports team name, a matter of state law has received final legislative approval.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple supports the measure, which orders the university to keep the name and Indian-head symbol, the Grand Forks Herald reported.
"The ball is now in the court of the NCAA, and that's what the people want: Take action or not take action," Dalrymple told the newspaper after the state Senate voted Friday.
The Senate approved the bill 28-15. The House had already passed it 65-28.
Dalrymple said thousands of e-mails sent to legislators show the people of North Dakota want the Fighting Sioux name.
Eric Christianson, a spokesman for the NCAA, said the organization still opposes the use of Indian names and symbols.
The NCAA in 2007 gave North Dakota three years to get permission from two Sioux tribes, Standing Rock and Spirit Lake, to use the name. The Spirit Lake tribe voted to allow the Fighting Sioux name but Standing Rock has not.
NCAA officials say the university could be barred from post-season play.
