Sports

Online pledge takes off against racist cheers at UMD

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Feb 23, 2012 at 4:14 pm

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - Dozens of people have signed an online pledge against abusive or racial chants during University of Minnesota Duluth sporting events.

The pledge was created, in part, by a student following an admonishment by university officials over racist chants at a recent hockey game against the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota. About 85 people had signed the pledge by noon Friday.

The Duluth News Tribune (http://bit.ly/xSYQMZ ) says UMD Athletic Director Bob Nielson, in an open letter, admonished students for the chants at Amsoil Arena.

In addition to the online pledge, hockey fan Eric Fastner help craft a letter of apology to the student body and administration, saying the student fans involved "want to portray a better image, both for UMD and for Duluth."