Mascot IssueSunday, November 20, 2005NCAA rejects IUP's appeal to keep name .c The Associated Press INDIANA, Pa. (AP) - The NCAA turned down Indiana University of Pennsylvania's appeal to be allowed to using its nickname - the Indians - at postseason tournaments. The university had appealed the NCAA's decision in August to include it on a list of 18 schools that were banned from using American Indian mascots or nicknames during postseason tournaments because the nicknames or images were ``hostile or abusive'' to American Indians. In its appeal, the university argued that its use of the nickname was not inherently hostile or abusive because it had been used since 1928, was historical and based on the school's geographic location in Indiana, Pa., and Indiana County. It also pointed out that 14 years ago it eliminated its Indian mascot in favor of a bear. But the NCAA said in a statement: ``The staff committee believes that even in the absence of specific imagery, the term could be construed as a stereotypical reference to Native Americans as opposed to a derivation of either the university's name or the name of the town or county.'' ``Our appeal was a litmus test for the NCAA on this issue, and the ruling appears to be definitive on this matter,'' IUP President Tony Atwater said in a statement. ``Members of the university administration are considering options for responding to the NCAA ruling.'' The school has until Feb. 1 to appeal the ruling, according to an NCAA spokesman. 11/18/05 20:08 EST posted by: Webmaster@ 8:58 AM
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