Indianapolis — Fed up with what it considers "hostile" and "abusive" American Indian nicknames, the NCAA announced Friday it would shut those words and images out of postseason tournaments, a move that left some school officials angry and threatening legal action.
Starting in February, any school with a nickname or logo considered racially or ethnically "hostile" or "abusive" by the NCAA would be prohibited from using them in postseason events. Mascots will not be allowed to perform at tournament games, and band members and cheerleaders will also be barred from using American Indians on their uniforms beginning in 2008.
Major college football teams are not subject to the ban because there is no official NCAA tournament.
Affected schools were quick to complain, and Florida State - home of the Seminoles - threatened legal action.
At least 18 schools have mascots the NCAA deems "hostile" or "abusive," including Florida State's Seminole.
"That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole people as culturally 'hostile and abusive' is both outrageous and insulting," Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement.
"I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the 'unconquered' spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida," he added.
The committee also recommended that schools follow the examples of Wisconsin and Iowa by refusing to schedule contests against schools that use American Indian nicknames.
While NCAA officials admit they still can't force schools to change nicknames or logos, they are making a statement they believe is long overdue. Eighteen mascots, including Florida State's Seminole and Illinois' Illini, were on the list of offenders.
Those schools will not be permitted to host future NCAA tournament games, and if events have already been awarded to those sites, the school must cover any logos or nicknames that appear.
"Certainly some things remain to be answered from today, and one of those things is the definition of what is 'hostile or abusive,"' said Tom Hardy, a spokesman at Illinois.
The NCAA did not give a clear answer on that.
Affected schools
Indianapolis (ap) - The list of schools affected by the NCAA's decision Friday on American Indian mascots and nicknames:
- 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)
Exceptions, objections
President Myles Brand noted that some schools using the Warrior nickname will not face sanctions because they do not use Indian symbols. One school, North Carolina-Pembroke - which uses the nickname Braves - will also be exempted because Brand said the school has historically had a high percentage of students, more than 20 percent, who are American Indians.
"We believe hostile or abusive nicknames are troubling to us and it can't continue," committee chairman Walter Harrison said. "We're trying to send a message, very strongly, saying that these mascots are not appropriate for NCAA championships."
The decision, however, quickly evoked passions and complaints from both sides.
At Florida State, Wetherell said the NCAA was trying to embarrass the school for using its nickname, even though the Seminole Tribe of Florida has given the university permission to continue using it.
"Other Seminole tribes are not supportive," said Charlotte Westerhaus, the NCAA vice president for diversity and inclusion.
Supporters also were unhappy.
Vernon Bellecourt, president of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media and a member of the Anishinabe-Ojibwe Nation in Minnesota, approved of the ban but had hoped the NCAA would take even stronger action.
"We're not so happy about the fact that they didn't make the decision to ban the use of Indian team names and mascots," he said.
Harrison, president at the University of Hartford, said the executive committee did not have the authority to do that, and schools can still appeal their inclusion on the list.
At least 18 schools have mascots the NCAA deems "hostile" or "abusive," including Illinois' Fighting Illini.
Brand and Harrison said they hoped school officials would pursue policy changes through the NCAA first, before going to court.
"I suspect that some of those would like to having a ruling on that," Brand said. "But unless there is a change before Feb. 1, they will have to abide by it."
Two years ago, the NCAA recommended schools determine for themselves whether Indian depictions were offensive.
Among the schools to change nicknames in recent years were St. John's (from Redmen to Red Storm) and Marquette (from Warriors to Golden Eagles).
But that hasn't changed opinions on either side.
"They're not willing to give up this money," Bellecourt said, referring to merchandising revenue. "We would hope that it (the decision) was the handwriting on the wall that would urge them to drop these team names and mascots."
Other actions
The executive committee also approved:
¢ Imposing stronger penalties for schools that fall well below the NCAA's new academic scoring system. Harrison said teams would receive a warning letter the first year; restrictions on scholarships, recruiting and playing time the second year; and a postseason ban the third year. If a school fails to meet the standard four consecutive years, all teams at that school would be ineligible for postseason play.
¢ Rewarding schools that perform consistently well in the classroom with public recognition and additional money. Schools that make significant improvements may also be singled out for recognition.
¢ Not penalizing schools for athletes who leave when circumstances are deemed beyond the control of the athlete or school. Included among the measure would be the dropping of programs or majors, or the death of a family member. Departures because of coaching changes would not be included. Schools could also salvage one point in the new academic measurement if underclassmen are academically eligible when they are drafted and would receive a bonus point if an underclassmen returned to complete his or her degree.
¢ A two-year contract extension for Brand. His deal was to run through Dec. 31, 2007 and now includes an indefinite two-year rollover.
¢ Recommended schools re-examine their policies regarding alcohol sales and advertising.
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Tasslehoff (anonymous) says…
I am going to catch heck for this, but finally, the only reason the schools wouldn't change from their racist attitude is as they said "Money" it also doesn't help that the Native American People, and I am one, make up one of the smallest minorities in the US. Don't believe me, take a look. Could you imagine the uproar of and pardon some of the epithets which I will censor myself, The San Antonio Sp*c*, the San Francisco screamin' Ch*n**, Won't even go to Nashville, Haven't you noticed that you can still see the "stupid Native American portrayed in cartoons, but Speedy Gonzales is gone?" So are the old blackface cartoons I always used to see, I compare the Cleveland Indians logo to be highly offensive, I don't care about the name, I'm not Indian, I'm Lakota. But don't judge me too harshly, other names I don't mind, warriors....anybody can be a warrior, same with brave, we are the home of the brave. But Redskin is highly offensive! Right up there with the word I was going to put with Nashville, but people don't care, we are a small minority, what can we do? I don't mind the logo, it's done with taste, as is the Chicago Black Hawks and The Seminoles of Fla St. (I do believe that Florida St. DOES have the permission of the Seminole tribe of Florida, but not sure about the ones who got shipped to Oklahoma..) People may have not realized a big uproar that was caused when a Nat. American group of men in a local basketball league in either Montana, Wyoming or Colorado caused when they used a epithet for white people. This was several years ago and my memory fades. But the main fact is, it's money and that the Native American population is so small, it has no power to do anything....The rest of the population may think it's no big thing, but that's because all of the racial epithets would never be used in their case. Turn it around and see what happens. It does make me sad to see guys in War Bonnets at Chiefs games, these were very sacred things to us. Compare them to war medals. With the largest War Bonnets being the Congressional Medal of Honor. Did you know you cannot sell or buy this medal under Federal Law? Much less wear it and not be the person who earned it. But this is Native American culture...who cares as long as the big buck and "oh, we don't mean anything by it, we are trying to honor...." speech goes on. Any other race in this country, try and name a team after them, go ahead, see what happens! Native Americans weren't even allowed to vote until the '20's, weren't citizens, but yet were some of the bravest fighters in all the wars after 1900 they were involved in for the US. But let's face it, all we are is a mascot to the US. A silent figure running up and down the sidelines trying to get noticed, when all people want to do is watch the game. And as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that."
JhawkH (anonymous) says…
Doesn't it matter to anyone that the use of mascots and nicknames indicates respect rather than degredation? It's a complement, for cryin' out loud! Why can't it just be taken as one?
opinion (anonymous) says…
I respect that someone may feel offended and have a right to voice their opinion that they want school names changed, but as an Irishman and a Notre Dame ("The Fighting Irish) fan, I just can't understand the flap over this. I have never felt "victimized" by the term "Fighting Irish" but that may be because I don't let people victimize me.
As a white, Christian, male, middle class American, I may be a part of the only group left that you can slam without someone calling foul.
Tasslehoff (anonymous) says…
If Haskell gets into an NCAA tournament, I'm sure they will be held to the same rules. As for Chief Knockahoma, That was the Atlanta Braves Mascot, a man dressed as a Native American out in the outfield bleachers beating a drum and had his own teepee.
Posted by JhawkH on August 6 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't it matter to anyone that the use of mascots and nicknames indicates respect rather than degredation? It's a complement, for cryin' out loud! Why can't it just be taken as one?
Because it obviously doesn't apply to you. If it was something that peeved YOU, YOU would obviously have something bad to say about it. What would the Catholic Church members do if there was a team called the Pittsburgh Popes and their gimmick was for all the fans to wear miters? Make a good play, act like you're sprinkling holy water? Then have everyone say, Oh it's a sign of respect, a compliment. Then what? If all people are created equal, why don't we get the same respect as my examples. Because of the money and lack of a Native American lobby, like I stated before, the smallest minority has the smallest voice. And how you can call the term "Redskin" which I explained is as offensive to us as the N word....a compliment? A sign of respect? As for the fighting Irish, there are a lot of players on that team that don't appear to be Irish to me, maybe a new nick can show the diversity of the school. You are also forgetting the Boston Celtics...although I would have trouble finding a Celtic, which ironically, isn't even pronounced the way it should be...to ask their opinion. Just as injustice towards the Native American goes through American history, it's always the same reason. Money...I'm just speaking my opinion, you will hear others from different natives, as long as this topic goes on and on...until one way or another, the stereotype is finally stopped. I don't see it happening any time soon, Money talks and the Natives walk...again. And when all these teams were created, I can just hear someone saying, well why didn't they say something back then! And I've heard this too...it's hilarious...Native Americans got the right to vote in 1924, the Cleveland Indians were named in 1918 and the Washington then Boston Redskins were named in 1933, I hardly think that if a Native American was to protest in those times being the way they were, they would have been soundly beaten. Honor and Respect, where are you guys when the reservations are the poorest per capita in the country? Up on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, you can/could use a hunk of cheese as a monetary unit. It's a sad place, I grew up there, I don't ever want to go back. Whenever I hear this respect and compliment business...if there was that much actual devotion to the people as the mascot, it would be a much better place. On all reservations.
aquakej (anonymous) says…
I don't think sports teams would choose a name and a mascot unless they liked it. Therefore, whatever name or mascot they choose is not meant as an insult. If a team wants to be fighting Indians, then they must think that fighting Indians are a good thing. Florida wants to be the Seminoles because, like the Seminoles, they want to remain unconquered.
I can understand how the term "Redman" can be offensive because it is a slang term, but I don't think that teams like the Seminoles should be persecuted for this.