Here is the latest relevation in regards to the Fighting Sioux nickname fight. Apparently the NCAA didn't want to come to North Dakota because of the open meeting. I also think such a meeting would have fallen under the North Dakota's open records and open meetings laws... Something to think about as the NCAA and the UND delegation goes to the NCAA headquarters in Indiana to discuss the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname with the NCAA officials.

GRAND FORKS, ND - Top NCAA executives did not want to participate in a meeting that would have been open to the public; that's "plain and simple," according to State Board of Higher Education member Grant Shaft.

Appearing on the Scott Hennen Show yesterday, Shaft was disappointed that the NCAA cancelled its scheduled April 22nd meeting with state and school officials, but was hopeful that another conference could still be arranged.

"I don't think they were looking for a situation where the meeting would be either covered by the press - or there would be any kind of testimony, or anything like that - and for that reason, they pretty clearly indicated that they weren't going to come. I'm still hopeful we'll have the opportunity to speak with the NCAA on this - I haven't lost hope -it's just that particular meeting on the 22nd fell through" Shaft said.

Although an open-door forum has been widely favored by the public (and some North Dakota legislators, including Governor Dalrymple) Shaft understood the uncomfortable position this would have presented the NCAA. In his experience, negotiations are best played out under the discretion of a "closed private setting":