NCAA Selective in Mascot Policy Enforcement

[chuck_jax]

In November, 2004, the NCAA asked 33 schools to self-evaluate their Mascot name as possibly hostile and racially, ethincally, or abusive in national origin. Fourteen schools have since modified their school’s mascot, and William & Mary (Tribe) has been given a 1-year extention. This leaves 18 schools who were were asked to change their names and didn’t, and as a consequence, will need to remove insignias, names, etc from player uniforms in Jan. 2006, and on band and cheerleader unis in 2008. (link.)


Why were only schools with Native American references asked to “self assess?” Below are schools that were asked to assess and didn’t pass NCAA muster:



· 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)



Schools whose mascots/nicknames did pass NCAA muster include:



· Cal State-Stanislaus Univerisity (Warriors, exempted because it took off Indian head on basketball court and went to a “Trojanesque” logo)

· Lycoming University (Warriors)

· Winona State University (Warriors)

· Hawaii-Manoa University (Warriors)

· Eastern Connecticut State University (Warriors)

· East Stroudsberg Univeristy (Warriors)

· Husson College (Braves)

· Merrimack College (Warriors)

· Southeast Missouri State University (Changed from Indians (men’s teams) and Otahkians (Women’s teams) to Redhawks)

· Univeristy of West Gerogia (Braves, but they’re officially solicitating for a new name…would you believe this school has had 5 nicknames, one of which was ‘The Goats.’)

· Stonehill College (Changed from Chieftans to Skyhawks)

· San Diego State University (Aztec Warrior…new and historically accurate version unvieled Feb, 2004 which retires “Monte Montezuma”…besides, Aztecs never were Native AMERICAN…they were MEXICAN)

· Wisconsin Lutheran College (Warriors (as in Warriors in Christ.))

· North Carolina University – Pembroke (Braves. UNC-Pembroke a school traditionally serving Native Americans)





According to the NCAA’s report, “The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships.”



Here are some names of schools that apparently weren’t offensive enough to warrant being asked to “self assess.” Isn’t it curious that the NCAA chose not to take on Notre Dame? I guess the NCAA didn’t consider “Irish” as a race or “Fighting” as hostile.



I also find the policy curious. The NCAA found it wrong to offend Native Americans but found offending Arabs to be okay (Crusaders). What about those offended by the Devil?



· Arizona State University (Sun Devil)

· DePaul University (Blue Demons)

· Duke University (Dlue Devil)

· Holy Cross College (Crusaders)

· Jefferson College (Vikings)

· Manhattan (KS) Christian College (Crusaders)

· Maranatha Baptist Bible College (Crusaders)

· Missouri Valley College (Viking)

· North Greenville College (Crusaders)

· Notre Dame University (Fighting Irish)

· Ocean County College (Vikings)

· Oregon State University (Beavers…uh, just kidding!)

· University Mary Hardin-Baylor (Crusaders)

· Valpariaso College (Crusaders)





FSU’s claim that they have a good relationship with the Seminole Tribe is well documented. I think they have a good claim. I’m not sure at all about Illinois, et. al. Regardless of how offensive it is, if the NCAA is going to take a stand on offensnsive mascots, they should include all offensive mascots, not just ones offensive to Native Americans.



In all fairness to the NCAA, they did, beginning in 2001, push out offensive southern civil war mascots (remember Runnin’ Rebels?) in addition to getting some universities to drop the stars and bars from their flags. That’s all well and good. However, I get the sense the NCAA is picking and choosing its battles with schools on its own timetable. Since they have a postseason monopoly, the schools under the NCAA microscope have little option but to capitulate.



If Notre Dame was some Division III public school, they would have been asked to reconsider their name. It is only because they’re Notre Dame that the NCAA didn’t have the guts to call them on it.

The NCAA is taking a divide and conquor approach to its member schools. This is the chicken's way out.

[brutusbabe]

Pretty soon the tree huggers will be against the Buckeyes and PETA will attack teams like the Badgers, Beavers and Wolervines. Just name the NCAA teams after a Corporation, that worked so well for the stadiums in the Pros. :-(

[Bucklion]

Amusing how the big cash cow, football, is magically exempt from the latest policy ruling because there is "no official NCAA tournament". Just like the bureaucrats: thump their chests....except when it might cost them money in merchandise.

[gost8]

Are there really people out there the think these names were put in place at these institutions to be demeaning? My great great grandmother was full blooded Soiux Indian and I take my Indian heritage very seriously. I take these names to be flattering, rather than a racial slur. Get a life people.

[gost8]

I think we should start a campaign for the ranchers in Texas and get the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans to change there name. I think there are some Greeks pretty upset about the Tennesee Titans as well. As for the animal kingdom... I am glad they can't complain.

[springslips]

I'm half Irish and my Irishside is ticked off at those bloody arses at notre dame. Calling themselves the fighting Irish as if we Irish were nothing but drunken violent micks who just got off the boat. It has me blood boilin. I think I might have me a pint of Guinness or two and and go down there and teach those we biddy fools in South Bend a lesson or two with me fits. Call me violent will they! They know what they got commin'.