NCAA bans Indian nicknames in postseason
The long anticipated ban on Indian mascots came down halfheartedly from the NCAA yesterday. The ban only applies to postseason competitions sanctioned by the NCAA (which means Football is not touched since the NCAA has no postseason division I-A tournament) and would require schools to patch up any symbols that according to the NCAA are "hostile or abusive."
Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell said yesterday that changing the FSU nickname "was not an option," and that he had a mind to "paint the Seminole logo three times as big at Doak Campbell Stadium." Wetherell even indicated that FSU is prepared to sue the NCAA to keep its nickname. Florida State boosters have ahead a similar angry public reaction.While the NCAA is being currently run by too many do-gooder liberal politically correct types who bungle almost every major decision that they make, FSU's reaction is equally if not even more disturbing.
Nicknames such as the Redskins (Miami of Ohio) and Redmen (St John's) were offensive and were changed by the institutions prior to this ban. Others like the Seminoles (Florida State) and Illini (Illinois) represent the glorious past of the area and states which these schools reside in. Any attempt by the NCAA to change these long standing and traditional nicknames was bound to meet with a hostile reaction from the institutions themselves.
This having been said, and despite FSU's decades long mantra that the nickname is approved by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the depiction of the Seminole log on Florida State's merchandise, the use of a spear on its helmet, the FSU fan war chant, and the stereotypical mascot Chief Osceola borders on offensive to even the least racially sensitive person. Indian leaders around the country have asked the NCAA over and over again to impose a ban on the names and despite yesterday's actions they still want more- a total ban which prohibits the use of the names in the future.Other schools with Indian mascots such as the aforementioned St John's, Marquette and Syracuse as well have voluntarily changed their nicknames despite resistance from the fans. Florida State's administration needs to show some leadership and sensitivity to the reality of today's world and to the NCAA as well and change its nickname.
(Please comment on this at www.floridacollegesports.blogspot.com)
Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell said yesterday that changing the FSU nickname "was not an option," and that he had a mind to "paint the Seminole logo three times as big at Doak Campbell Stadium." Wetherell even indicated that FSU is prepared to sue the NCAA to keep its nickname. Florida State boosters have ahead a similar angry public reaction.While the NCAA is being currently run by too many do-gooder liberal politically correct types who bungle almost every major decision that they make, FSU's reaction is equally if not even more disturbing.
Nicknames such as the Redskins (Miami of Ohio) and Redmen (St John's) were offensive and were changed by the institutions prior to this ban. Others like the Seminoles (Florida State) and Illini (Illinois) represent the glorious past of the area and states which these schools reside in. Any attempt by the NCAA to change these long standing and traditional nicknames was bound to meet with a hostile reaction from the institutions themselves.
This having been said, and despite FSU's decades long mantra that the nickname is approved by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the depiction of the Seminole log on Florida State's merchandise, the use of a spear on its helmet, the FSU fan war chant, and the stereotypical mascot Chief Osceola borders on offensive to even the least racially sensitive person. Indian leaders around the country have asked the NCAA over and over again to impose a ban on the names and despite yesterday's actions they still want more- a total ban which prohibits the use of the names in the future.Other schools with Indian mascots such as the aforementioned St John's, Marquette and Syracuse as well have voluntarily changed their nicknames despite resistance from the fans. Florida State's administration needs to show some leadership and sensitivity to the reality of today's world and to the NCAA as well and change its nickname.
(Please comment on this at www.floridacollegesports.blogspot.com)
posted by Kartik at 10:35 AM
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