Dixie Conference to drop its name after 40 years

Roanoke.com ^ | 1/26/03 | MARK BERMAN

[shuckmaster]

Ferrum won't be a member of the Dixie Conference next year.

No, Ferrum isn't changing leagues. The 40-year-old Dixie Conference is changing its name to avoid any negative connotations of the word "Dixie."

"Primarily it's due to sensitivity to ethnic groups and just making sure that 'Dixie' name is not offensive to anyone," Ferrum athletic director Ted Kinder said. "Although it hasn't been widespread, there does seem to be a negative association with 'Dixie,' and if it's offensive to anyone, the conference has decided it's probably best to change the name.

"It's a positive, proactive step for the conference."

The NCAA Division III league plans to announce its new name - which will be geographic in nature - at a Feb.4 news conference.

"We thought it was in our best interest to have a name that was better descriptive and didn't hold a potential for controversy," Shenandoah president James Davis said.

Christopher Newport athletic director and men's basketball coach C.J. Woollum said he never heard a complaint about the league's name in his 19 years in the conference. Officials at Dixie schools said there were no complaints from any organizations about the name, but getting rid of it has been a topic of conversation within the conference for the past few years.

"There were comments regarding the name 'Dixie' and how it brings forth some of the racist-type issues that come up in association with maybe the Confederate flag and those kind of things," Kinder said. "It's the same type of thing as we're seeing with Indian mascots across the country, those kind of issues."

"Members of the conference in effect felt like we had outgrown that name," Methodist president M. Hendricks said. "The term 'Dixie' probably to many people had connotations that weren't intended at the time it was used and aren't intended now but have come to take on that kind of character - the general social context of that name. Those who felt that the name change would be useful were troubled in that area."

Kinder said the issue originated with the presidents of Dixie schools. The athletic directors and presidents debated the matter, and schools got feedback from their employees and students. The presidents made the final decision.

"A lot of people [at Ferrum] didn't really think about it, to be honest with you, until it was brought to their attention. Some people said, 'Now that you mention it, it does kind of reflect badly,'" Kinder said.

[shuckmaster]

Aw, Shucks!

[shuckmaster]

ping!

[aomagrat]

[Highest Authority]

HOGWASH!!!!! This Orwellian rewriting of history must STOP!

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Georgia Pacific should also stop making Dixie Cups !!

[nothingnew]

"I'll be your Dixie chicken

if your my Tennesee lamb,

and we can walk together...

down in Dixie land!"

I miss Lowell George.

FMCDH

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I'll be your Dixie chicken
if your my Tennesee lamb,

and we can walk together...

down in Dixie land!"

Ahhhh...Little Feat...brings back memories of the good ole' days.

Another good one...

"The train to Grinderswitch is running right on time."

"And the Tucker boys are cooking down in Caroline."

"People down in Florida just can't be still, with ole' Lynard Skynard playin' down in Jacksonville."

[Non-Sequitur]

Maybe they should change the name to Confederate Conference? And can the end of the Blue and Grey game be far behind?

[Xthe17th]

FYI

[aomagrat]

"A ragged Rebel flag flies high above it all,
Popping in the wind like an angry cannonball."

[tal hajus]

Will the "Dixie Chicks" have the testicular fortitude to hold on to their name?

[Colt .45]

Another legacy of Bill Clinton ... the tyranny of Political Correctness. Nothing more than "State" sponsored thought and speech. The Founders' must be spinning in their graves at what we've become.

[stand watie]

more ARROGANT stupidity!

[stand watie]

YEP!

[scottinoc]

it's now "Women of Southern Heritage"

[DakotaGator]

Concur you flaghoist.

You part of "Ranger's Last Ride"?

[philetus]

I think the word SOUTH also has racial connotations.
It should be dropped from our vocabulary.

When giving directions, say: east, west, north, or thataway.

[L.N. Smithee]

Christopher Newport athletic director and men's basketball coach C.J. Woollum said he never heard a complaint about the league's name in his 19 years in the conference. Officials at Dixie schools said there were no complaints from any organizations about the name, but getting rid of it has been a topic of conversation within the conference for the past few years.

Talk about the tail wagging the dog! It kills me -- you wake up and some liberal activist decides that if you use certain words and/or phrases, you're a bigot, and certain people just say, "If you say so!" without a moment's thought about whether the charge has any merit.

[billbears]

"A lot of people [at Ferrum] didn't really think about it, to be honest with you, until it was brought to their attention. after seeing all forms of Southern heritage attacked by racists. Some people said, 'Now that you mention it, it does kind of reflect badly,' We don't want the racist NAALCP attacking us next, Let's just go ahead and give in without a fight. That way we'll just be weak in the knees PC warriors instead of standing up for principles" Kinder said.

[Corin Stormhands]

FREE DIXIE CARTER! FREE DIXIE CARTER! FREE DIXIE CARTER!