Jump to content
[[Template core/front/custom/_customHeader is throwing an error. This theme may be out of date. Run the support tool in the AdminCP to restore the default theme.]]

NCAA to crack down on Hostile Nicknames


nogohawk
 Share

Recommended Posts

By Robyn Norwood Times Staff Writer

Sat Aug 6, 7:55 AM ET

 

 

 

The National Collegiate Athletic Assn. will ban the use of 18 Native American nicknames and mascots it considers "hostile or abusive" during its postseason tournaments beginning early next year, the organization announced Friday.

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

The move drew praise from groups that oppose such depictions but stirred controversy with a banned list that includes the Florida State Seminoles, the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Utah Utes, while granting exceptions to the San Diego State Aztecs and Cal State Stanislaus Warriors, among others.

 

"That's a start," said Cindy La Marr, former president of the National Indian Education Assn. and executive director of Capitol Area Indian Resources in Sacramento. She also has served on the steering committee of the California-based Alliance Against Racial Mascots.

 

"The whole reason behind it is, it harms our children," La Marr said, citing not only stereotypes and caricatures but also the nicknames themselves.

 

"It's different if it's a city school or street. A sports team creates a division because one team wins and one team loses."

 

But T.K. Wetherell, Florida State's president, called the decision "outrageous and insulting," citing a resolution by the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida in support of the school's use of the nickname and symbols, which include Chief Osceola, who gallops onto the football field on horseback and plants a burning spear in the turf before home games.

 

"The rules, as we understand them, would have us cover the Seminole name and symbol as if we were embarrassed, and any committee that would think that is a proper and respectful treatment of Native Americans should be ashamed," Wetherell said in a statement.

 

Max Osceola, a member of the tribal council, said: "Is the NCAA going to make Notre Dame go ask every Irishman if it's OK to use the name Fighting Irish?"

 

San Diego State, which in recent years replaced its Monty Montezuma mascot and has worked to make its depiction of Aztecs historically accurate, successfully argued in part that an Aztec was not an American Indian.

 

"One, the Aztecs are not a North American culture, but a culture that was based in what is now Mexico," said Jack Beresford, a university spokesman. "Second, we went through a pretty exhaustive process, a comprehensive review of our logos that were deemed offensive, and replaced Monty Montezuma with a new mascot, consulting the community and experts in Aztec culture to ensure it was historically accurate and culturally appropriate."

 

NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said the organization "accepted the findings from SDSU that it could not find any organized tribe or group related to Aztecs.

 

"The institution reviewed the issue both here in the United States and in Mexico, where the Aztecs first originated," Christianson said.

 

The Cal State Stanislaus Warriors were not subject to the postseason ban because in recent years the school took the Indian head emblem off its basketball court and spamshirts and changed its mascot several times, most recently to a mythical Trojan figure, Athletic Director Milton Richards said.

 

Among other schools that are not subject to the ban is North Carolina Pembroke, which uses the nickname Braves but was founded in part for Lumbee Indians in the area and has a high population of American Indian students.

 

The decision to enforce a limited ban was made by the NCAA Executive Committee, a group made up of university presidents and chancellors.

 

"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chairman of the committee and president of the University of Hartford.

 

"But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."

 

The NCAA ban, which is subject to appeal by individual schools, is to take effect in February. It will not cover regular-season competition or major college football's bowl championship series, which is governed independently.

 

However, NCAA President Myles Brand said he hoped the BCS would follow the NCAA's lead.

 

"We're trying to send a message very strongly that we do not think these kind of mascots are appropriate," Brand said.

 

The decision to limit the ban to NCAA-sponsored postseason competition is intended in part to protect the NCAA from litigation.

 

"As for lawsuits, I don't mean to sound too flip about this, but everyone has recourse through the courts," Brand said. "They certainly could try if they want, but we think this is a very reasoned and solid approach that governs those things we can control, and we would be prepared to defend that if cases were brought against us."

 

As a postseason-only ban, its greatest immediate effect might be in terms of public discourse. Many teams with Native American mascots use them only at home games, in part because of potential controversy. During the Illinois men's basketball team's run to the Final Four last spring, the school's Chief Illiniwek did not go to any postseason games.

 

The NCAA said it also would ban schools on the list from serving as hosts for postseason competition, a financially punitive move that Brand compared to the NCAA's position on the Confederate flag issue of recent years.

 

Schools such as Utah that already are scheduled to conduct such events — the school will be the site of first- and second-round games next March in the NCAA men's basketball tournament — must remove references to their nicknames and logos that are deemed offensive for the competition, the NCAA said.

 

Because the court at Utah's Huntsman Center bears a black "U" and not its "drum and feather" logo, school officials expect it to be reasonably easy to comply.

 

"We were kind of surprised," spokesman Mike Lageschulte said. "The Utes are an actual Indian tribe and we've had their blessing. It's never been an issue."

 

Effective in August 2008, the ban also will apply to the uniforms of cheerleaders, dance teams and band members at NCAA championship sites.

 

The use of Native American nicknames and mascots has been an issue for several decades, and in 2001, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights called for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Native American schools.

 

Stanford, which used the nickname Indians until 1972, was one of the first schools to change. Its teams are now known as the Cardinal, after the school color. St. John's University in New York changed its nickname from Redmen to Red Storm, and the Marquette Warriors are now the Golden Eagles.

 

The National Football League's Washington Redskins have faced legal challenges to their nickname, and baseball's Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians have faced criticism.

 

"I do not believe the NCAA's resolution will have an immediate impact on our situation," said Bob DiBiasio, vice president for public relations for the Indians.

 

"Most people are aware of the history behind our team, being named in honor of Louis Francis Sockalexis. That legacy lives on since 1915. We do not have any plans to change at this time."

 

Sockalexis played for the then-Cleveland Spiders in 1897-99. He was a Penobscot Indian from Old Town, Maine. He was the first American Indian to play major league baseball.

 

In 1997, the Los Angeles Unified School Board discontinued the use of American Indian symbols and mascots, a ruling that affected the University High Warriors and Gardena High Mohicans, among others.

 

A legislative attempt to ban the use of "Redskins" in California schools failed last year when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill, saying the issue should be decided locally.

 

A similar bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) has passed the Assembly and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.

 

The bill would stop Calaveras High, Chowchilla Union High, Colusa High, Gustine High and Tulare Union High from using the nickname.

 

"When I asked people from the Native American community which one is the most egregious, without looking at each other they said, 'Redskins.' That was not tough for them," Goldberg said. "I'd prefer nicknames were not for living people. I prefer colors, flowers, animals, that's my own personal preference."

 

Yet people with no ties to Indian heritage develop very strong ties to images of mascots from their school days.

 

"I met a young white blond with blue eyes and she said, 'I'm a third-generation Redskin,' " Goldberg said. "My jaw dropped."

 

"As far as I'm concerned, 30 years is too long. I'm very proud of the decision the NCAA made. If it's offensive, we shouldn't allow it. It's not about sport, it's not about spirit, it's about human dignity."

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Times staff writers Tim Brown, Ben Bolch and Sam Farmer contributed to this report.

*

 

 

 

Mascots deemed offensive

 

The NCAA has prohibited 18 colleges and universities that "continue to use Native American imagery or references" from displaying their nicknames, logos or mascots at postseason games. The schools are:

 

Alcorn State University (Braves)

 

Central Michigan University (Chippewas)

 

Catawba College (Indians)

 

Florida State University (Seminoles)

 

Midwestern State University (Indians)

 

University of Utah (Utes)

 

Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians)

 

Carthage College (Redmen)

 

Bradley University (Braves)

 

Arkansas State University (Indians)

 

Chowan College (Braves)

 

University of Illinois (Illini)

 

University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians)

 

McMurry University (Indians)

 

Mississippi College (Choctaws)

 

Newberry College (Indians)

 

University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux)

 

Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages)

 

Source: National Collegiate Athletic Assn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am glad my Tennessee Volunteers arent on that list. I know liberals think Volunteers are war mongering baby killing, village pillaging and plundering, imperialist capitalist pigs. We might be in trouble..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently, FSU has hired a big time lawyer to take on the NCAA. The attorney is Barry Richard, who successfully led the legal challenge on behalf of Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential recount in Florida.

 

F'n right! Glad to see they aren't taking the NCAA's bull sh!t :D

Edited by Vote Quimby2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently, FSU has hired a big time lawyer to take on the NCAA. The attorney is Barry Richard, who successfully led the legal challenge on behalf of Republican George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential recount in Florida.

 

F'n right! Glad to see they aren't taking the NCAA's bull sh!t :D

 

918705[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I read something about Jeb Bush calling the ruling an absolute joke. I hope he throws his weight around a little... This whole thing is non sense...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am glad my Tennessee Volunteers arent on that list.  I know liberals think Volunteers are war mongering baby killing, village pillaging and plundering, imperialist capitalist pigs. 

 

918453[/snapback]

 

 

 

Naw, that's what we think TENNESSEEANS are. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

NCAA backs down from FSU. :D About time f'n tools.

 

 

Morans finally get it right.

 

“The NCAA staff review committee has removed Florida State University from the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.

 

“The NCAA Executive Committee continues to believe the stereotyping of Native Americans is wrong. However, in its review of the particular circumstances regarding Florida State, the staff review committee noted the unique relationship between the university and the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a significant factor. The NCAA recognizes the many different points of view on this matter, particularly within the Native American community. The decision of a namesake sovereign tribe, regarding when and how its name and imagery can be used, must be respected even when others may not agree.

 

“The NCAA position on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery has not changed, and the NCAA remains committed to ensuring an atmosphere of respect and sensitivity for all who participate in and attend our championships. This decision applies to the unique relationship Florida State University has with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Requests for reviews from other institutions will be handled on a case-by-case

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Requests for reviews from other institutions will be handled on a case-by-case basis

 

944494[/snapback]

 

 

 

Seems sensible; if, say, the CMU Chippewas can establish that the local tribes they are named after do not object to the usage and that the mascot is portrayed in a respectful and non-derogatory matter, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to use it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Seems sensible; if, say, the CMU Chippewas can establish that the local tribes they are named after do not object to the usage and that the mascot is portrayed in a respectful and non-derogatory matter, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to use it.

 

945048[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Except for the fact that CMU doesn't have the pocketbook of Florida State

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Offensive? I will tell you what is offensive. Offensive is a “non-profit” organization that is suppose to be there to “support” student athletes, paying $60 million to buy off a rival basketball tournament, because it was in there way.

 

I agree here, and I'll tell everyone what I think is offensive: Somebody else telling that something is offensive!!! There's nothing I hate more than a group of people who have nothing better to do than think that they have the right to make decisions for me based on something that they deem offensive!! I really don't think it should be an issue that some of these teams use names that are linked to Native Americans and their culture. I think some of these people need to sit back and worry about straightening up their own lives before they have a revelation and think they need to change other people's lives.

 

While I'm on the subject, here's what else I hate: Politicians who constantly preach about abstinence, but somehow have 10 kids........this is our do as I say, not as I do government at work. These same politicians are the ones who are anti-porn but have home movies of themselves and their spouse doing things that the porn industry hasn't even thought of yet.

 

I'll stop there because I know that I'm just ranting here, but right or wrong, it's just my opinion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information