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NCAA Bans Use of Indian Mascots

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FSU responds to the NCAA.....

FSU News

Florida State University responds to NCAA decision banning use of Native American symbols

FSU President T.K. Wetherell has issued the following statement in response to action August 5 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association banning the use of American Indian mascots during NCAA championship games. In taking the action, the NCAA deemed FSU's use of the Seminole name and symbols as "hostile or abusive," despite the recent formal endorsement by the Seminole Tribe of Florida for their use.
STATEMENT FROM FSU PRESIDENT T.K. WETHERELL

Florida State University is stunned at the complete lack of appreciation for cultural diversity shown by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's executive committee, which announced today a policy banning schools using Native American names and symbols from hosting NCAA championship events. That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole Tribe of Florida as culturally "hostile and abusive" is both outrageous and insulting.

On June 17, the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida spoke unequivocally of its support for Florida State University in its use of the Seminole name and related symbols. Accordingly, I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the "unconquered" spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

National surveys have shown in recent years that an overwhelming majority of Native Americans are not offended by the use of Native American names and symbols. In making its decision, the executive committee has been swayed by a strident minority of activists who claim to speak for all Native Americans. It is unconscionable that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has been ignored.

The rules as we understand them would have us cover the Seminole name and symbol as if we were embarrassed, and any committee that would think that is a proper and respectful treatment of Native Americans should be ashamed.
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I really just don't see how the NCAA can try to do this. Honestly if the NCAA continues to try to throw it's weight around on issues like this it may end up biting the NCAA in the ass. Think about it do big programs such as USC, Oklahoma, Flordia State, Miami, OSU just to name a few really need the NCAA? What laws are there that says a university must belong to the NCAA? And now Brand has a extension that will automatically roll over every two years. Between this, and now the NIT is sueing the NCAA for unfair practices with the post season tournament. Just should make for some interesting roads for the NCAA and college sports.
 
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daddyphatsacs said:
Actually, I can see how some Indians could consider it offensive. That would be like naming Grambling the Blackskins........or Yale the Whiteskins. :)
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Obviously, you're talking about Redskins. I won't argue that one. It isn't a tribe, it's a descriptive term. But the NCAA went beyond that by outlawing all "native American" names.

The fact is, more than one tribe has come out and told the NCAA to piss off, because they were honored by it. Seminoles, Chippewas, Hurons - those are no worse than Fighting Irish, Flying Dutchmen, Patriots, or Quakers.
 
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Yahoo News



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>FSU presses forward with appeal of nickname prohibition</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By DAVID ROYSE, Associated Press Writer
August 10, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida State University trustees voted Wednesday to appeal its inclusion on a new list of schools that won't be permitted to use American Indian nicknames or logos in NCAA tournaments.

The school's Seminole mascot was one of 18 the NCAA said it finds ``hostile'' and ``abusive.''

Florida State trustees and school officials say that putting the Seminoles on the list doesn't make sense because the Seminole Tribe of Florida backs the school's use of the name and various images associated with it, such as the Seminole chief on horseback that serves as a team symbol.

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</NOSCRIPT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The trustees also voted to authorize possible court action if the appeal doesn't work.

``We will not stand by and let this happen without a fight,'' Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Smith said at an emergency meeting called to give university officials authority to move forward in fighting the new ban.

NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said the organization would gladly hear the university's appeal.

``That's certainly the process we set up, and they are welcome to go through the appeal process, and we welcome their input,'' Williams said.

Florida State Athletic Director Dave Hart said the NCAA's inclusion of Florida State on its list ignored the school's relationship with the tribe, which was recently ratified in a resolution by the tribal council. The resolution said in part that the university had ``permission'' to use the tribe's name and symbols, including its Seminole head logo.

``The terms 'hostile' and 'abusive' ... appear to me to be devoid of logic, reason and a genuine evaluation of that relationship,'' Hart said.

Despite the Seminole Tribe of Florida's endorsement, many Native Americans reject the idea that the use of Native American symbols honors the culture.

Charlene Teters, a National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media vice president, argued the point in a message posted on the group's Web site.

``Using our names, likeness and religious symbols to excite the crowd does not feel like honor or respect, it is hurtful and confusing to our young people,'' wrote Teters, a member of the Spokane nation. ``To reduce the victims of genocide to a mascot is unthinking, at least, and immoral at worst.''

Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said university officials were also angry that they hadn't gotten to argue to the NCAA about the school's links to the tribe.

``To have a ruling of this nature come down, when (neither) we nor the tribe were asked to participate in it.'' Wetherell said. ``That is offensive.''

Trustees also expressed frustration that they didn't know how the NCAA came to determine that its use of the nickname met the definition of ``hostile and abusive.''

``I sure want to see that definition,'' Wetherell said.

There was strong support on the board for suing the NCAA over the decision if the appeals process doesn't work. The school has already approached a lawyer who has said he will take the case.

At least one other school on the list has some support from Indian tribes for which they're named. Forrest Cuch, a member of the Ute tribe and executive director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, said earlier this week that he hopes the NCAA interprets its new rule loosely because the University of Utah respectfully uses the Utes nickname. Still, Cuch said he supported the ``spirit and intent'' of the new policy.

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RugbyBuck said:
They have this running back, one second you see him and then, BAM, he explodes through a hole.
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Ever see that receiver they've got.... the call went to him... he's gone like a flash... the crowd was blown away
 
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tibor75 said:
Miami (OH) was right to change their name. Redskins is just a dumb name and an insult on top of it.
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so your native american to some degree then? if not please stfu at your earliest conveniance. my step dad is native american and i feel pretty confident speaking on his behalf in saying the terms are not offensive to him or any other member of his family i have met. and yes, the conversation has come up several times. none of them have a problem with the names. the analogy was made that they find the name washington redskins as offensive as they expect farmers find nebraska cornhuskers.

I never understood why the Redskins of Washington have an Indian on their helmet. Shouldn't they have a cowboy with a scalp in his hands?
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or a cowboy minus his scalp? or an indian handing a scalp to a french or brittish soldier as proof he killed one of their mutual enemies?

as much as i dislike fsu and florida teams as a whole. i truely hope they win their appeal. im so sick and tired of this pc crap.
 
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