Posted on 08/23/2005 5:56:57 PM PDT by 11th_VA
Seminoles they will stay.
The Florida State University athletic department celebrated a major victory on Tuesday when the NCAA announced it had removed FSU from its list of universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots and nicknames.
Earlier this month, the NCAA told FSU and 17 other schools that their use of a Native American mascot and nickname was inappropriate, and that mascots deemed ''hostile or abusive'' would be prohibited from appearing on team uniforms during NCAA-sanctioned tournaments beginning in February 2006.
FSU president T.K. Wetherell threatened legal action. The school appealed the NCAA ruling on the grounds that its six-decade relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida was one of mutual respect, so much so that the tribe in June passed a unanimous proclamation offering its endorsement of FSU's nickname and mascot, Chief Osceola.
The NCAA, upon review, decided to scratch FSU from its list.
''The NCAA Executive Committee continues to believe the stereotyping of Native Americans is wrong,'' read an NCAA statement from Bernard Franklin, VP for Governance/membership. ``However, in its review of the particular circumstances regarding Florida State, the staff review committee noted the unique relationship between the university and the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a significant factor.
``The NCAA recognizes the many different points of view on this matter, particularly within the Native American community. The decision of a namesake sovereign tribe, regarding when and how its name and imagery can be used, must be respected even when others may not agree.''
Andy Haggard, a Coral Gables attorney and vice chair of the FSU Board of Trustees, was thrilled with the news.
''The NCAA showed great wisdom,'' Haggard said by phone from Daytona Beach, where he was involved in a trial. ``We never should have been included in that list. It should never have come to this. But I'm extremely happy with the final result. I can see banning names like Savages or Redskins, but Seminole is completely different. The NCAA is finally treating the Seminole tribe with the dignity they deserve.''
Among the other school still on the list are the University of Illinois (Illini), University of Utah (Utes), and Central Michigan (Chippewas).
''The NCAA position on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery has not changed, and the NCAA remains committed to ensuring an atmosphere of respect and sensitivity for all who participate in and attend our championships,'' read the statement. ``This decision applies to the unique relationship Florida State University has with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Requests for reviews from other institutions will be handled on a case-by-case basis.''
Me too, how 'bout them fighin' whites?
Go SC!
Unf'ing believable. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe had this to say - "The rich relationship that the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has with CMU cannot be determined by an outside entity without contacting the institution and the government involved. Any arbitrary decision made from an outside source regarding university-tribal relations is not acceptable."
It was white people who pushed for that change as well. The Hurons opposed the change since they did not want people to forget who they were.
Could your mascot drop a house on their quarterback and steal his red ruby cleats?
I think you hit the nail on the head. The left are the racists in this country. They talk like everyone else is but they are the true racists. Perhaps this is one way to put the Indians in their places while making it out that they are trying to "protect" them.
Want to really hear the native American groups squeal? Have every sports team with an Indian name announce that they "no longer want to be named after THE LOSERS" and they are all changing their names to those of COWBOYS!
FSU should now sue on behalf of Illinos and the other schools.
I can't wait till they go after the Gamecocks. That should generate some interesting mail.
The threat of legal action probably comes too late for some: Wonder for instance how old time Marquette Warrior fans feel about this; or the St John's Redmen, etc
Luckily for us there are some very politically correct communities in WV. Near the capital city of Charleston we have the Pocatalico River. There is also the community of POCA, WV, which has a high school.
School nickname........................of course..............
Is the Poca 'Dots'
Hear! hear!
Your son-in-law and the Seminoles get it: Indian mascots are a tribute to the martial virtues of their forebearers. The only people who find them offensive are the leftists of whatever ethnic heritage who sneer at the notion of martial virtue.
(I've got ancestors from the Vik and am partial to Minnesota in the NFL even though I have no connections with the state.)
And I hate to say it, but the NCAA did what liberals are constantly doing -- running head-on into themselves as they adopt emotional, irrational causes. They in no way wanted to get crossways with the very people they were trying to politically-co-recto-mollify in the first placed!
We threatened to set a dozen gators loose in their Corp. office if they didn't back off.
Illinois was never an Indian tribe. It was a confederacy of tribes which negotiated with the French ( as I know it ).
How the NCAA could have a problem with a university called the fighting Illini, named after the state in which it is located, makes absolutely no sense to me.
Their mascot I could maybe see a point. But not the schools name.
I would love to see the University of Illinois put a true Native American in their mascots costume and tell the NCAA to shove it.
Reminds me of the liberal lefty animal lover lady who was affronted by the gay pride parade because they had a float with half naked guys humping on a goat. Basically she said something like:
"How can they be so cruel to that poor animal? I thought gays were supposed to be sensitive?"
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