Thursday, October 20, 2005

NCAA Rejects Bradley Nickname Appeal

.c The Associated Press

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - The NCAA has rejected Bradley University's bid to be taken off a list of colleges whose American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos will be banned in postseason play starting next year.

An NCAA staff review committee ruled Thursday that the Braves nickname creates an environment where fans, opponents and others can exhibit behavior hostile and abusive to Native Americans.

``By continuing to use Native American references in nicknames, institutions assume responsibility over an environment they can not fully control,'' the committee's written ruling said.

The committee commended Bradley for dropping its American Indian mascot and logos about a decade ago. But it also said Bradley could have sent a clear signal of respect for American Indians by also dropping its nearly 70-year-old nickname.

Bradley released a two-sentence statement saying the private college ``now is considering its options, which could include an appeal to the Executive Committee of the NCAA.'' University officials declined further comment.

Bradley has argued the nickname now symbolizes attributes such as courage and honor. The school also said the NCAA was inconsistent when it applied the ban, allowing eight schools to use the nickname Warriors because they have dropped mascots and logos, like Bradley.

The 6,100-student school was among 18 schools banned in August from using American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos in postseason play, beginning next year. The schools also are barred from hosting postseason events.

The Florida State Seminoles, Central Michigan Chippewas and Utah Utes were exempted because of support from local American Indian tribes. An appeal by the North Dakota Fighting Sioux was rejected because it did not have the backing of Sioux tribes in the state. Illinois is awaiting a decision on its bid to be removed from the list.

10/20/05 20:22 EDT

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Psychological group urges end of Indian mascots

.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The American Psychological Association wants to eliminate the use of American Indian mascots, contending they create stereotypes and damage self-esteem.

``American Indian mascots are harmful not only because they are often negative, but because they remind American Indians of the limited ways in which others see them,'' Stephanie Fryberg said in a statement. ``This in turn restricts the number of ways American Indians can see themselves.''

The psychological association is the latest group to seek the end of Indian mascots. Fryberg, who works at the University of Arizona, conducted the study.

In August, the NCAA said it would ban the use of Indian mascots and images deemed ``hostile'' or ``abusive'' at all national championship events.

The NCAA has since removed three schools - the Florida State Seminoles, Utah Utes and Central Michigan Chippewas - from the original list of 18 offenders. The Illinois Fighting Illini and Bradley Braves have appeals pending with the NCAA.

One school, North Dakota, nicknamed the Fighting Sioux, had its initial appeal rejected. The university is expected to file a second appeal this month.

The American Psychological Association has more than 150,000 members and is based in Washington.

10/18/05 16:24 EDT

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