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Save you the registration foolishness. The NCAA and is backbone of "steal", from todays Miami Herald Posted on Sat, Aug. 20, 2005 _krdDartInc++; document.write(''); [img]http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/...ter6;group=rectangle;ord=1124577793378?[/img] R E L A T E D L I N K S • Forum | Share your thoughts on this story INDIAN MASCOTS NCAA waffles; FSU might get to remain the Seminoles The NCAA announced that approval from American Indian tribes will be the primary factor that could help schools such as Florida State University use Indian nicknames in tournaments. [size=-1]BY CAMMY CLARK[/size] [size=-1][email protected][/size] Florida State University is one step closer to being allowed to continue to use ''Seminoles'' for its nickname, logo and mascot at NCAA-sanctioned tournaments. On Friday, the NCAA announced that approval from American Indian tribes will be the primary deciding issue for appeals by schools fighting the NCAA's recent ban of American Indian imagery and nicknames at postseason tournaments starting in February and on uniforms beginning in 2008. ''It sounds like the NCAA is trying to back out gracefully,'' said Andy Haggard, a Coral Gables trial attorney and vice chairman of the Florida State board of trustees. ``I can't imagine that with the Seminole Tribe of Florida's support and with the Oklahoma Seminole Tribe coming out and also giving its endorsement, which is so important, that this won't get resolved.'' Two weeks ago, the NCAA issued the ban, which included prohibiting schools with American Indian mascots and logos from hosting future NCAA postseason events. Schools that had been awarded postseason events would be required to cover up all Indian imagery in their sports venues. The ban on ''hostile and abusive'' ethnic and cultural images lumped FSU with at least 17 other schools. THREATS OF LAWSUIT FSU protested the ban, holding an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees last week and threatening a lawsuit. FSU received political support statewide, including Gov. Jeb Bush. ''This is a complex issue and the circumstances surrounding each institution's use of Native American mascots and imagery is different,'' Bernard Franklin, NCAA senior vice president for governance and membership, said in a statement. ``Each review will be considered on the unique aspects and circumstances as it relates to the specific use and practice at that college or university.'' Franklin will chair the staff committee that will review the appeals. Reviews begin next week. The NCAA's executive committee can further review the decisions. TRIBAL PERMISSION The Seminole Tribe of Florida passed a resolution during the summer to give FSU permission to use the Seminole name. No one from the tribe was available for comment late Friday. NCAA officials said previously that FSU was put on the banned list because other Seminole tribes were opposed, including the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. But Jennifer McBee, the nation's attorney general, told reporters that the official position of the nation's governing body does not condemn the use of Seminoles by universities. The opposition came from David Narcomey, a tribal council member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. His official resolution to condemn the use of the Seminole name by universities was defeated 18-2. ''The NCAA has done a great and wonderful thing, the first major step toward fighting the American Indian mascot issue, and I hate to see this happen,'' Narcomey said after learning about the appeal. ``It's only my individual opinion, but to use a people as a mascot is disrespectful. The usage of our family and ancestors as logos for sports teams is degrading.'' Among members of FSU's football team, news that they likely can remain the Seminoles in postseason play was applauded. Said offensive lineman Matt Meinrod: ``We didn't want to lose it. The whole student body didn't want to lose it. The faculty, the alumni -- nobody wanted to lose it. ``I'm just glad [the NCAA is] wising up and realizing that you don't have to be politically correct in everything.'' Punter Chris Hall said the NCAA might have taken good intentions too far. ''Instead of looking at it like a case-by-case basis, we kind of got grouped in with some other schools that have had more offensive names and things like that,'' he said. MANY VIEWPOINTS NCAA president Myles Brand said in a statement: ``We recognize that there are many points of view associated with this issue and we also know that some Native American groups support the use of mascots and imagery and some do not; that is why we will pay particular attention to special circumstances associated with each institution.'' Brand also said that it's ``vitally important that we maintain a balance between the interests of a particular Native American tribe and the NCAA's responsibility to ensure an atmosphere of respect and sensitivity for all who attend and participate in our championships.'' INDIVIDUAL APPEAL Haggard said that FSU wants to appeal as an individual university and not be lumped together with other schools that use nicknames such as Savages, Warriors, Indians or Braves. ''Florida State adopted the name of a sovereign nation,'' Haggard said. ``They loaned us the name and endorse the use of it. We worked together to design the logo and to design the wardrobe of the mascot. ``I don't think the NCAA ever realized that there would be this public outcry from everywhere, not just in Florida. Nobody wants a lawsuit. We just want this resolved. We're talking about 50 years of being aligned with the Seminoles.'' Herald writer Ira Schoffel and Herald wire services contributed to this report.
