Red Scare

OpinionJournal ^ | 11 Aug 2005 | Kenneth L. Woodward

[JRios1968]

European intellectuals have long complained of excessive moralism in American foreign policy, politics and attitudes toward sex--the lingering effect, as they see it, of our Puritan heritage. But if they want to spot the real Puritans among us, they should read our sports pages.

Last week, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that it would ban the use of Native American team names and mascots in all NCAA-sponsored postseason tournaments. If a team turns up wearing uniforms with words like "Indians," "Braves" or similar nicknames the association deems "hostile and abusive," that team will be shown the locker-room door. Surely I was not the only reader who noticed that this edict came out of the NCAA's headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Already, one university president, T.K. Weatherall of Florida State, one of 18 colleges and universities on the Association's blacklist, is threatening to take legal action--and I hope he does. Florida State's athletic teams are called the Seminoles, and the university says it has permission from that tribe in Florida to use that name. Not good enough, counters Charlotte Westerhaus, the NCAA's new vice president for "diversity and inclusion." "Other Seminole tribes," she claims, "are not supportive."

[JRios1968]

PC runs amok in NCAA.

[Jaysun]

Not good enough, counters Charlotte Westerhaus, the NCAA's new vice president for "diversity and inclusion." "Other Seminole tribes," she claims, "are not supportive."

Lighten up, Torquemada, and try some cottage cheese once in a while. Could someone take one for the team here and see to it that this moth-eaten shrew gets laid, please?

[taxesareforever]

They should wear jerseys with the name "NCAA Sucks" on them.

[JRios1968]

They should wear jerseys with the name "NCAA Sucks" on them.

How about all players wear a headband like Jim McMahon wore in the 1984-85 season. Theirs could say "NCAA", just like McMahon's headband had "Rozelle" on it...

Or, they could have any of the following on their shirts:

- "NCAA Ate My Balls"

- "NCAA Ballbreakers"

[JRios1968]

Of course, I just realized either I will get banned, or that comment will get deleted! Yikes!

[Colonel Kangaroo]

I hope they get this straightened out before the NCAA's big show-the men's basketball tournament in March. Maybe somebody can use one of the minor fall sports to back down the NCAA before the big roundball event.

[JRios1968]

Let's hope Florida State University sticks to its guns.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Ugggh.

[garandgal]

Maybe somebody can use one of the minor fall sports to back down the NCAA before the big roundball event.

Duke, Seton Hall, George Washington, Gonzo...which BB only alma mater do you hail from? LOL....looking forward to three weeks from now...the beginning of the Big 12 "real sports" season; with those 50-yard-line season tickets. BLISS!

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Duke, Seton Hall, George Washington, Gonzo...which BB only alma mater do you hail from?

University of Tennessee. I'm unusual in this part of the world in that basketball (mens) is my favorite college sport. But the NCAA post season ban on "offensive" mascots and names won't touch division one football anyway since there is no NCAA championship in that sport.

I just hope Fulmer puts out an exciting squad this fall to entertain our visiting basketball recruits. :)

[USAFJeeper]

I emailed the relations desk at the NCAA. If this crap continues and is actually followed through on, I am going to personally boycott all advertisers for the games that schools are forced to lose their mascot.

Hey its only me, a boycott of 1!

[JRios1968]

We can send the message, one at a time.