Now that this simply HAS to be a reality (the committee can't ignore the numbers on this one), I think it's time to start legitimizing your University of North Dakota Ermines according to the desired attributes of the committee representatives. Copy and paste these if anybody ever asks why you think this is a good idea:
Again, from the UND nickname suggestion form website:
Quote:
The Nickname Committee will evaluate nickname suggestions based on a list of previously suggested attributes, including:
1. Be unique, recognizable, inspiring, and distinctly UND’s.
2. Promote a sense of pride, strength, fierceness, and passion.
3. Be representative of the state and region in a way that honors the traditions and heritage of the past but also looks to the future.
4. Be a unifying and rallying symbol.
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Well, let's break this down, shall we?
1. Be unique, recognizable, inspiring, and distinctly UND's. Done. Rain Man has already done the research. There are no high schools, colleges, or universities with an ermine mascot. Think about that. There are 26,407 public high schools, 10,693 private high schools, and 4,140 colleges and universities (public and private, 2-year and 4-year institutions) in the United States. I'm not going to do the math, but that's a lot of opportunities to select "ermines" as a mascot. Not a single one has it. Until now. If that isn't unique, recognizable, inspiring, and distinct to UND alone, then I don't know what is.
2. Promote a sense of pride, strength, fierceness, and passion. They eat everything and can take down predators far larger than they are. They have a brilliant and sleek appearance to them as well. So yes, I think we got this covered.
3. Be representative of the state and region in a way that honors the traditions and heritage of the past but also looks to the future. The first European settlers in North Dakota were here primarily for the fur trade. As unfortunate as that is to the ermine, they must have been the top-of-the-line animal to get in your trap. Any asshole can collect beaver pelts, but if you've got ermine fur, you're making a shit ton of cash. And it definitely looks to the future-- like I said, North Dakota should follow in the footsteps of Gophers and Badgers in its endeavors to become a tier one research institution. Glory awaits the school both academically and athletically. Well... academically, anyway. Unless we're talking hockey.
4. Be a unifying and rallying symbol.
I've got one word for you: UNDermine.