NCAA allows Utah to keep being 'Utes'

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 9/3/2005 | Michael C. Lewis

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Just hours before their season-opening football game, the Utah Utes learned their nickname is no longer considered "hostile and abusive."

The NCAA accepted the Utes' appeal of that designation on Friday, clearing the way for the university's athletic teams to continue competing in and playing host to national tournaments just like they have always done. The Utes have the explicit permission of the Ute Tribe to use their nickname and "drum-and-feather" logo, and the NCAA ultimately agreed that such approval should keep the Utes from facing sanctions for using American Indian imagery.

"No surprise," athletic director Chris Hill said.

The Utes had argued all along that they should not have been placed on a list of schools whose use of American Indian imagery was considered "hostile and abusive."

The university's letter of appeal was accompanied by a letter and resolution of support from the Northern Ute Indian Tribal Business Committee.

"For many years, the Ute Tribe and the university have maintained an effective partnership," stated Maxine Natchees, chairwoman of the Tribal Business Committee in their support documents. "The Tribe, the university, and their members and supporters are proud of the Ute name and the culture it represents. Indeed, the Ute name and culture are the predicates of our state's name: Utah."

University officials were confident their appeal would succeed after the NCAA ruled that Florida State could keep using "Seminoles" because it had the approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

"We are very pleased that the NCAA has recognized our close and mutually respectful relationship with the Ute Tribe," university president Michael Young said in a statement.

The Utes had been on a list of 18 schools that the NCAA said would face sanctions if they continue using inappropriate American Indian nicknames, mascots or images, fueling speculation whether their would have to change the nickname. In the end, though, everything will remain the same.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Good, but this never should have been an issue anyway.

[Clara Lou]

PC loses. Yay!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"For many years, the Ute Tribe and the university have maintained an effective partnership," stated Maxine Natchees, chairwoman of the Tribal Business Committee in their support documents. "The Tribe, the university, and their members and supporters are proud of the Ute name and the culture it represents. Indeed, the Ute name and culture are the predicates of our state's name: Utah."

Game, set, and match. The NCAA never had a leg to stand on.

[Andy from Beaverton]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I'm not sure if you saw this yet...

[TexasTransplant]

That they think they can "allow" anything to anybody speaks volumes to me.

TT

[rcocean]

Isn't Illinois named after the indian tribe? What an insult.

Why doesn't the Federal government make them change their name? And the same thing with Delaware.

Stop insulting Native Americans.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Funny, I was thinking the same thing when I saw the title NCAA allows Utah to keep being 'Utes'. Gee, that's mighty big of them, isn't it?

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

NCAA headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana. I'm sure the NCAA is hitting the city council meetings and state legislature to address the "insult" that the name of their city and state brings.

[TexasTransplant]

NCAA needs its office moved to the UN building so that we can ignore them easier.

[Sometimes A River]

Well, the "Illini" was on the list.

Also, someone should tell the NCAA, which is headquartered in INDIANapolis, that that's offensive as well.

[Tax Government]

If NCAA is in any way sponsored by the federal government, it should abstain from making any 'rules' in the area of speech since it, as an extension of government, is enjoined from doing so by the First Amendment.

[MarineDad]

Mighty big of 'em.

Clueless jackasses.

[Sometimes A River]

And while we're at it, let's not use the phrase "Chink in the armor" either.

Or "JEWelry."

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Also, someone should tell the NCAA, which is headquartered in INDIANapolis, that that's offensive as well.

That's Indianapolis, Indiana.

[Sometimes A River]

Hater!

You need a sensitivity training course.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Wow, thanks for clearing this up for me...<->
I always thought Utah was the "Running Youths".

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I'd have the instructor in tears and seeing things my way in no time. They'd have to hire a replacement leftist.

[Paleo Conservative]

Utes!

[Sometimes A River]

I have always wondered how one becomes a "sensitivity training" instructor...

But, I'm sure there's lots of money to be made in that.