Posted on 08/05/2005 9:28:11 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Finding the University of Utah's ''Utes'' nickname, along with the nicknames of 17 other colleges, to be ''hostile or abusive,'' the NCAA today banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments.
The NCAA's executive committee decided this week the organization did not have the authority to bar Indian mascots by individual schools, committee chairman Walter Harrison said Friday, but by preventing those teams from participating in its playoffs, it effectively is forcing the names to be abandoned nationwide.
The postseason ban begins Feb. 1, 2006. Said Harrison, the University of Hanford's president: ''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.''
In addition to the University of Utah, the list includes:
--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-Champaign (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)
In November of 2004, the NCAA asked 33 schools were asked to submit self evaluations to the NCAA National Office to determine the extent, if any, of the use of Native American imagery or references on their campuses. Specific aspects of the self evaluations centered on three NCAA Constitution principles that reference cultural diversity and gender equity; the principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct; and the principle of nondiscrimination.
''The NCAA objects to institutions using racial/ethnic/national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics programs,'' said NCAA President Myles Brand.
''Several institutions have made changes that adhere to the core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship and nondiscrimination,'' Brand said. ''We applaud that, and we will continue to monitor these institutions and others. All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event management to enhance the integrity of intercollegiate athletics related to these issues.''
Schools will have an opportunity to appeal, the NCAA said.
I hate "PC" controlling twits with a passion in any venue.
Serious question: does anyone know the procedure for replacing the entire NCAA governing board?
Sometimes the best way to solve an intractable problem is to erase it and start over.
Ping
I was reading another board abouthis subject and the poster had a great idea rename every college mascot that has an offensive name the effeminate p**sies and have the image of the head of the ncaa on every helmet and on the sideline have a figure in a bright pink dress and bent wrist frollick and skip around on the sideline after every touchdown and curtsey after every extra point
NCAA is becoming a sick joke, as well as a nasty organization, trying to grab power beyond its scope, including underhanded attempts to eliminate NIT.
Man I hate the NCAA...
GO UTES!
I also find the name of the state of Indiana "offensive and abusive" since it has the word "Indian" in it. I hope that we can address that issue at the same time. (sarcasm)
Apparently Governor Alcorn had a pretty good record during the short time he was governor in trying to secure equal rights, but I'm surprised that there hasn't been a push to rename the university (since he had been a slaveowner).
You know I've never understood this. Every community takes great pride in their local sports teams. The term fan derives from the word fanatic. Why would people identify their team with an insult? It seems to me the opposite is true. That a mostly white community would pick an Indian for the symbol of their cherished sports team is the ultimate compliment to the noble native Americans. This is how they want the world to identify their community in which they have such great pride. To them it is the epitome of strength and class. I've never understood this.
You're right
The "Fighting Whities" are students at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. They gained a lot of attention when they supported the Eaton, Colorado High School in keeping their team name, the "Reds".
You don't name sports teams for people that you despise but people you admire. It is a complement you morons.
This was actually the issue of discussion yesterday on the "John Thompson Show" yesterday - and in that I mean Coach John Thompson, formerly of Georgetown University Basketball.
Coach Thompson did not address the issue of political correctness with regard to the names, but more directly the transparent hypocrisy of the fact that something which was deemed immoral and unjust during the NCAA basketball tournament was tolerated for the length of the regular season. If it's wrong, it's wrong. Period.
Thompson also pointed out that the layout of the leadership on this decision was deliberately composed of layer upon layer of committee, in which one could never actually get at a single individual for direct responsibility - or blame. Coach Thompson also indicated that nothing of this nature would be tolerated from the football programs within the NCAA, which is true the football programs are independent of this nonsense.
To paraphrase Coach Thompson, who leaves the issue of the offensive nature of such mascots names to the individual, it is this type of leadership with which we entrust the education of our nation's young people. A very good point, but one I suppose I must disagree with. I would never leave the ethical and moral education of my children to such individuals.
Regardless of position, I enjoyed the Coach's intellectual honesty on the issue.
Thanks. I knew someone would know.
There comes a time when civil/organizational disobedience is called for. In this matter, I believe the time has come, since it's obvious the NCAA has become worse than worthless, an actual impediment to athletics. The schools affected should say "NO" and see what the NCAA reaps when they try to bar a team from participating in an event through the merit of winning.
MM
On the other hand, the Ute Indian chiefs and their tribal council were on the TV news last night saying that the Utah Utes name was fine, they were happy that the University of Utah had always consulted them on such matters, and that they felt honored to have the state of Utah and a state university named after them, which projects a positive image of them. They don't like the NCAA taking this action without asking the people that are supposedly offended (in this case, they're not).
This is the work of a bunch of stupid do-gooder liberals. So far, I've seen several different Indian officials tell them publicly: "Hey!! Stay off our side!!"
From what I'm hearing, the U of Utah is going to fight this and they've got the Ute Indian chiefs on their side.
I heard the same thing about the Seminoles in Florida and the Chippewas in Central Michigan - though I don't know if they mean the schools and/or the tribes were getting involved.
That's cool that the Utah is getting support from the Utes. It seems to me just from this thread that people are very proud of their schools and the peoples that those schools represent.
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