NCAA ready to ban other "offensive" names

[Howard Roark]

NCAA ready to ban other "offensive" names
The Nashville Tennessean | August 14, 2005 | colmosby


Sidney McPhee, President of MTSU and member of the infamous NCAA Executive Committee, has issued a dire warning. In this mornings edition, McPhee tells the Nashville Tennessean that the Executive Committee has only fired the first salvo in the PC war against college mascots and nicknames. Here is the direct quote from an article by Tennessean sports writer David Climer:

"McPhee said the NCAA now may look beyond Native American references and take on other names and images that are considered offensive to some. 'We're not drawing the line at Native American references', McPhee said. Perhaps we're going to have to deal with other things. If there are problems with names like Fighting Irish, Ragin' Cajuns and others, those can be brought forth. Now we have policy guidelines to help us examine those issues'."

Is this so ridiculous it isn't funny or what??????

Am I the only one that thinks this way??????

I don't think I've ever seen any team that has a Native American as their mascot, do anything to bring shame to the Native American people.......

Am I wrong?????

[Dustin Pate]

Tim I agree 100%. They must have run out of productive things to do.

[fredw]

taken from their web site:

NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events

Aug. 5, 2005




INDIANAPOLIS -- 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.

The Executive Committee, meeting Thursday in Indianapolis, also approved recommended best practices for schools who continue to use Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery in their intercollegiate athletic programs.

"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chair of the Executive Committee and president at the University of Hartford. "But 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."

The policy prohibiting colleges or universities with hostile or abusive mascots, nicknames or imagery from hosting any NCAA championship competitions takes effect February 1, 2006.

"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. 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."

Other elements of the policy approved Thursday require that institutions with hostile or abusive references must take reasonable steps to cover up those references at any predetermined NCAA championship site that has been previously awarded, effective February 1, 2006.

Institutions displaying or promoting hostile or abusive references on their mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams and band uniforms or paraphernalia are prohibited from wearing the material at NCAA championships, effective August 1, 2008.

Last, and effective immediately, institutions with student-athletes wearing uniforms or having paraphernalia with hostile or abusive references must ensure that those uniforms or paraphernalia not be worn or displayed at NCAA championship competitions.

Harrison stressed that institutions affected by the new policy can seek further review of the matter through the NCAA governing structure.

The committee also strongly suggested that institutions follow the best practices of institutions that do not support the use of Native American mascots or imagery. Model institutions include the University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin, who have practices of not scheduling athletic competitions with schools who use Native American nicknames, imagery or mascots.

Additionally, the committee suggested that institutions should review their publications and written materials for hostile and abusive references and remove those depictions, which is the current policy of the NCAA National Office.

Last, member institutions are encouraged to educate their internal and external constituents on the understanding and awareness of the negative impact of hostile or abusive symbols, names and imagery, and to create a greater level of knowledge of Native American culture through outreach efforts and other means of communication.

The recommendations stemmed from discussions in June at the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee (MOIC) meeting in Boston. Those recommendations were forwarded to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues earlier this week. The subcommittee then forwarded its recommended changes to the Executive Committee, which is the highest ranking committee in the NCAA governance structure.

Three events prompted initial discussion on mascots within the Association in April 2001- membership feedback; ongoing issues surrounding the Confederate Battle Flag; and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' statement on the use of American Indian imagery as sports symbols.

In November 2004, 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 (Article 2.2.2); the principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct (Article 2.4); and the principle of nondiscrimination (Article 2.6).

Eighteen colleges and universities continue to use Native American imagery or references and are subject to the new policy:
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)

Fourteen schools have removed all references to Native American culture or were deemed not to have references to Native American culture as part of their athletics programs:
California State-Stanislaus University
Lycoming College
Winona State University
Hawaii-Manoa University
Eastern Connecticut State University
East Stroudsburg University
Husson College
Merrimack College
Southeast Missouri State University
State University of West Georgia
Stonehill College
San Diego State University
Wisconsin Lutheran College
and the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

The College of William and Mary has been given an extension to complete its self-study on the mascot issue.

In other action from the Executive Committee, members updated the Association's alcohol policy, recommending that member colleges and universities review a number of suggested actions.

"As college presidents, we are very concerned about the use of alcohol on our campuses and the abuse of it by our students and in society at large," Harrison said.

The suggestions include prohibiting the sale of alcohol during all college sports events (preseason, regular season, conference and postseason); encouraging fans to drink responsibly and legally outside stadiums or arenas; and prohibiting onsite alcohol advertising during all college sports events, taking into account contractual issues already in place with advertisers.

The revised policy also suggests prohibiting media advertising of alcohol that exceeds six percent of alcohol by volume; and limiting advertising of malt beverages, beer and wine products. Such ads should not comprise more than 60 seconds per broadcast hour, two minutes during any game telecast and no more than 14 percent of a game program or publication, and they should include tag lines such as "Drink Responsibly" and "Be Legal."

Furthermore, the alcohol policy calls for NCAA colleges and universities to provide programs and resources for education, prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse.

The NCAA has for years banned sales and advertising of all alcohol at its 88 championships. The association also limits broadcast advertising during championships to not more than 60 seconds per broadcast hour and two minutes in any championship telecast or broadcast. Many of the alcohol ads contain language stressing the legal and responsible use of alcohol.

[fredw]

NCAA takes high road with ban of offensive mascots Email this article


Thursday, August 11, 2005
by Myles Brand, NCAA president





Much has been written over the past week about the NCAA Executive Committee's decision not to conduct championships on the campuses of member institutions where the use of nicknames and mascots representing American Indians is considered hostile and abusive. Some of the articles have been supportive of the committee's decision; some thought it fell short and called for an outright ban of such mascots.

Others, the majority, saw the move as unnecessarily intrusive on local decision-making, bureaucratic kowtowing to political correctness, too impractical or ill-defined to make a real difference, or a decision that simply caught everyone off guard.

However, to ensure that the discussion springs from the same facts, here are some important points to keep in mind:

While I agree with and support the Executive Committee's decision, neither I nor any member of the NCAA staff had a vote. The decision was made by a dozen chancellors and presidents from all three membership divisions appointed to represent their institutions, their conferences and the values of higher education. There were no dissenting votes, either.

The decision does not mandate that institutions change their mascots. This is a membership-based association where institutional autonomy is valued; there is no league office that can dictate. The decision applies only to NCAA national championships.

The decision does not go into effect until Feb. 1. The affected institutions (18 out of more than 1,000 schools) have six months to appeal their classification and the broader decision of the Executive Committee.

Finally, this is a teachable moment. A major part of this effort is aimed at initiating discussion on a national basis about how Native American Indians have been characterized and, in some cases, caricatured. In that, the decision has already been successful.

To be fair, some American Indian tribes have expressed their approval of the manner in which their names and imagery are used by specific institutions. Florida State University is a well-documented case in point, and that will likely be the basis for any appeal. The Executive Committee must take such claims seriously.

At the same time, many individuals and tribes view such uses as disrespectful toward their customs and culture. They see a level of contempt in the same way African Americans saw black-face minstrel shows decades ago as contempt for their race. We would not think of allowing nicknames or mascots that disrespect African Americans. Surely, American Indians should be accorded the same treatment.

This is America, where individuals and groups have the right to express how they feel about the way they are presented to the public. Organizations such as the NCAA have the responsibility to pay attention to and respect such expressions. This is not about an effort to be politically correct. It is about doing the right thing.

Imitation, it is said, is the highest form of flattery. But when it is viewed in the eyes of those being portrayed as hostile and abusive -- no matter how well-intended -- imitation becomes the lowest form of disrespect and insult.

It is time to bring such practices to an end. The NCAA has no authority to force its member institutions to change their mascots or nicknames. Even so, the NCAA can and has determined that within the environment of NCAA national championships, behaviors that inappropriately characterize a group of people will not be welcomed.

[fredw]

includes some close to home.....

I-A AD Ronald D. Wellman
Wake Forest University Atlantic Coast Conference APR 2006

I-A President G. Wayne Clough
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlantic Coast Conference APR 2006

I-A President John D. Welty
California State University, Fresno Western Athletic Conference APR 2007


I-A President Martin C. Jischke
Purdue University Big Ten Conference APR 2009


I-A President Michael F. Adams
University of Georgia Southeastern Conference APR 2009

I-A President Peter Likins
University of Arizona Pacific-10 Conference APR 2007


I-A President Philip E. Austin
University of Connecticut Big East Conference APR 2007


I-A President Shirley Raines
University of Memphis Conference USA APR 2006*


I-A President Sidney McPhee
Middle Tennessee State University Sun Belt Conference APR 2007


I-AA President Clinton Bristow Jr.
Alcorn State University Southwestern Athletic Conf. APR 2007


I-AA President Daniel Curran
University of Dayton Atlantic 10 Conference JAN 2008


I-AAA President Robert Fisher
Belmont University Atlantic Sun Conference APR 2007*


I-AAA President Walter Harrison
University of Hartford America East Conference APR 2006


II Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin
University of Minnesota Duluth No. Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference JAN 2006


II FAR Paul H. Engelmann
Central Missouri State University Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association JAN 2006


II President Arthur F. Kirk Jr.
Saint Leo University Sunshine State Conference SEP 2006


III President Ivory Nelson
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Independent JAN 2007


III FAR Michael Miranda
Plattsburgh State University of New York State University of New York Athletic Conference JAN 2006


III President Phillip C. Stone
Bridgewater College (Virginia) Old Dominion Athletic Conf. JAN 2006

[GeauxLSU]

Originally Posted by Howard Roark

If there are problems with names like Fighting Irish, Ragin' Cajuns and others, those can be brought forth. Now we have policy guidelines to help us examine those issues'."

I have a major problem with the fighting Irish. Can they PLEASE loose their national TV contract so I don't ever have to watch them again? PLEASE!!!
There was a stink a few years ago about the Ragin Cajuns. Seems most of the athletes said they 'couldn't identify' with the mascot and felt it wasn't "representative of the athletes". Whatever!
They actually did change the official mascot if memory serves. Not the mascot (still the Ragin Cajuns) but the endorsed symbol they used to represent the mascot.
There was some talk of going to the mascot they used to use some 30+ years ago. The 'bulldogs'. Lord help us!!