North Dakota’s House has defeated a bill to have the UND and NDSU football teams again play for the retired Nickel Trophy – starting in 2023 — or create a new trophy.
The rivals played for the Nickel Trophy from 1938 to 2003. It was then retired as the schools played in different conferences — until this season. The trophy now belongs to the state Historical Society.
The House amended the Senate bill to appropriate $9,900 for the creation of a new, state-owned trophy … to be designed by the schools.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Republican Rep. Pat Heinert of Bismarck. “But it should come from the kids at the two schools, not from a bunch of old guys like us.”
Republican Rep. Jeff Delzer of Underwood added, “We don’t need to be spending $9,900 on this. Let the universities come up with it themselves, decide what they want to do and do it that way. I also think it’s cute that it’s just $100 under the amount that would send it to the appropriations committee.”
The House rejected the bill 69 to 23.
(Photo: UND Alumni Assn.)
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