Logo and Nickname Fallout: Florida State officials expressed frustration and confusion about the NCAA’s decision to ban “hostile” and “abusive” American Indian nicknames or logos because the school has approval from the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The NCAA counters that the school does not have permission from other Seminole tribes, and therefore, they must change their nickname and mascot. Florida State officials intend to take the matter to court if the NCAA doesn’t back down.
Meanwhile, the sports nation has been quick to shoot holes in the NCAA’s crusade to remove hostile and abusive American Indian imagery from the game. A Baltimore Sun story published a list of merchandise available on the NCAA’s Web site from teams with offending nicknames or logos. Blogger Jerry Palm sent an e-mail to the NCAA – which went unanswered – that questions why the NCAA does not consider the Rebels of Mississippi offensive to African-Americans. He also lists other nicknames like the Highlanders, Spartans, Trojans and Fighting Irish as potentially ethnically hostile. Other cynical comments – yet valid to some degree – question whether the NCAA will cave to PETA if the animal rights organization complains about the use of nicknames and logos that could be interpreted as cruelty toward animals.
[8/5/05]
