BISMARCK -- A North Dakota State University official assured legislators this morning that an NDSU-University of North Dakota football game will return to the schools' athletic schedule.
"I can tell you with absolute certainty there will be another game," said Keith Bjerke, vice president for university relations.
Bjerke and NDSU student body President Joe Heilman testified this morning against House Bill 1507, which would require an annual UND-NDSU football game.
"I really appreciate the intent," Heilman said.
The hearing was in the House Education Committee.
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No one from UND testified. All of the supporting testimony came from three bill sponsors who are all Democratic-NPL legislators from Grand Forks.
One of them, Rep. Eliot Glassheim, D-Grand Forks, submitted a proposed amendment to water the bill's mandate down to a suggestion.
The amendment replaces "requiring" with "encouraging" the two schools "to resume one of the greatest and oldest collegiate football rivalries" so as to "promote national recognition and statewide enthusiasm."
The committee took no immediate action.
Three other legislators listed as sponsors, Rep. Scot Kelsh, D-Fargo; Rep. Frank Wald, R-Dickinson, and Sen. JoNell Bakke, D-Grand Forks, did not testify.
