11:10 a.m. - University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella says the NCAA has denied the school's second appeal to keep using its Fighting Sioux nickname in postseason tournaments.

"We're going to consult with the state attorney general on what our options are," Kupchella told Fargo's WDAY radio Friday morning. "We might have to take some steps to consider some way to preserve the history and tradition and yet modify the name somehow."

Kupchella declined to go into detail, saying it is still early.

UND is among several schools with nicknames or mascots the NCAA considers "hostile and abusive." The NCAA wants to bar those schools from hosting postseason games unless they get rid of the American Indian imagery.

UND had hoped a letter written to the NCAA by Archie Fool Bear, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's judicial committee, would help its case. Fool Bear said six of the eight districts on the reservation have voted "overwhelmingly" to support the Grand Forks school's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

But Standing Rock Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder said he sent a letter to the NCAA disputing Fool Bear's letter. His Horse Is Thunder said the Standing Rock tribe "maintains its stance opposing the 'Fighting Sioux' athletic nickname and logo."

Kupchella also told the NCAA that leaders of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe who visited the campus had indicated no change in a 2000 resolution saying the tribe would support the nickname as long as UND worked to establish tolerance and fight racism.

Bob Williams, a spokesman for the NCAA in Indianapolis, said "significant weight" is given to tribal approval, but the NCAA considers other factors, such as the environment on campus and how the Indian imagery is used.

Some UND faculty members and alumni, including Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, have spoken against the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Jackson told a Colorado newspaper recently that it should be changed because enough people find it offensive.

Another UND graduate, Don Morrison of Bismarck, said more than 200 alumni signed a petition against the nickname. In February, more than 100 UND faculty members signed a petition saying it should be retired.

"It is hostile. It is abusive. And there are lots of Native Americans who are opposed to it," Morrison said.

Kupchella said UND is working to establish an endowment to help bring more American Indian students to campus, and an announcement is expected next week. He said the decision was made after Standing Rock and Spirit Lake officials visited the UND campus, but that it is not tied to the nickname issue.