We believe the NCAA is completely out of bounds in having promulgated its ill-conceived policy on nicknames in the first place.

I think it was ill-timed, I think it was ill-conceived and I think it was a matter of poor judgment,

Its stated policy,

We had no choice but to respond to this group that says we're 'hostile or abusive. We decided we had to go after them - and that's what we did.

We believe our use of the nickname and logo is respectful and appropriate. ... A recent statewide poll showed our nickname is not offensive to a majority of American Indian people and, interestingly, one of four Indians polled indicate support for UND would be reduced if we changed the name. We are awaiting the results of our appeal to the NCAA.

The NCAA unfortunately has put us in a box where we now have to defend our honor, as it were, ... They've called us 'hostile and abusive,' and we know, because we live here, that there's no such thing here. We'll have to prove it, I guess.