August 16, 2005
Arkansas State disputes NCAA mascot ruling
As one of only six NCAA division 1A football programs singled out by the NCAA, Arkansas State officials have taken exception to that organization characterizing their "Indians" nickname as "hostile and abusive".
Dr. Dean Lee, ASU's Director of Athletics, issued the following statement:
“At Arkansas State University, we take great pride in being called the Indians. In fact, in 2006, we will be celebrating 75 years of having “Indians” as an athletic nickname. The comments we have received from our fans and alumni are overwhelming in support of our portrayal of the Native American heritage on the fields and the court of play. It is our objective to represent Native Americans in a dignified and stately manner. We believe that our use of the nickname “Indians” and “The Indian Family” as our mascot affords the Native American customs and history the fullest respect and integrity. We have had regular reviews, and will continue to have them, involving a variety of individuals and groups who monitor our representation of Native Americans to ensure Arkansas State’s use of imagery and logos is not hostile or abusive.”
ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt described the NCAA as a surprising and as a "turnabout" from previous indications that body had given. He told the Jonesboro (AR) Sun that feedback he had received from ASU supporters ranged from 10-1 to 20-1 in favor of the Indians nickname.
“The NCAA has done a number of things I don’t agree with and that is another one,” Wyatt said. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
ASU's fellow Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana-Monroe has also been singled out for its Indians nickname. As stated earlier here at Fanblogs, this ruling may not directly impact D1-A football teams, due to the lack of a sanctioned NCAA championship.
Arkansas State opens its football season on September 3 vs. Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Comments:
Rob Knodell said:
posted on August 17, 2005 9:11 AM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
There were indeed 18 schools highlighted, but only 6 D-1A football programs, as mentioned in my post above. Those were Arkansas State, Central Michigan, Florida State, Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, and Utah.
Kerry said:
posted on August 17, 2005 10:23 AM — 162.111.235.36 — link — abuse?
Does anyone know why Notre Dame is not on the list? I find the Fighting Irish to be just as "hostile or abusive" especially their mascot which portrays the Irish people as leprechauns.
How can these elites at the NCAA let this slide! I'd like to hear their VP of Diversity and Inclusion respond to this without her typical angry spin and BS.
posted on August 17, 2005 10:56 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Notre Dame doesn't invoke "human" style mascots - they have a leprachaun. Your attempt to include other schools would be better applied to the Quakers.
NCAA Political Correctness Police said:
posted on August 17, 2005 3:05 PM — 206.124.221.226 — link — abuse?
Notre Dame's name, if not their actual mascot, implies that Irish people are hostile. For many people, it brings to mind stereotypes of Irish people as heavy drinkers, getting drunk and fighting in bars for money. (anyone see Far and Away?)
If the idea is that having a non-human mascot will soften the blow, they should also change the team's name to The Fighting Leprechauns.
schmed said:
posted on August 17, 2005 4:06 PM — 208.248.231.58 — link — abuse?
"Fighting Leprechauns" - the very thought make my shins hurt.
And just because *all* Irish Catholic men get stumbling drunk every afternoon and go home and knock their wives around before they knock them up again doesn't change the fact that it's hostile and abusive.
If they rename themselves "Leprechauns" since all Irish Catholic men are lazy, illiterate drunkards who hallucinate small elf-like beings during bouts with delerium tremens, then OK.
[/EgregiousInvocationOfLastRemainingPoliticallyCorrectEthno-TheologicStereotypeMode]
posted on August 17, 2005 5:39 PM — link — abuse?
I agree with schmed, whatever he said.
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Kevin Donahue said:
posted on August 17, 2005 8:50 AM — link — abuse?I had to double check, but I believe that 18 programs were highlighted by the NCAA under this ban.