The High Court

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The Big Gavel—NCAA Name Game

June 6, 2005

 

There is something about the Chief Justice you probably don’t know:  I talk to animals.  More importantly perhaps, the members of the animal kingdom talk to me.  And they have a serious beef with some of the member schools of the NCAA.  It seems various species are offended by the use of their names as school mascots.  I am here to tell you that it is high time the insensitive exploitation of all animals stop.  Be they big cats of the jungle (Lions, Tigers), birds of a feather (Cardinals, Hawks, Owls), canines (mostly Bulldogs), and various feline-types (Bobcats, Wildcats, even the mutant Bearcat), these animals are very unhappy.  And have you ever had to tangle with a scorned Golden Gopher?  Whew…

 

I am kidding, of course (although the Nittany Lion wonders what happened to his football program).  I am not kidding about this, however:  The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, has seen fit once again to review whether or not Native American nicknames and mascots should be allowed for its member schools.  There are thirty such nicknames under examination by the National Council of Absurd A…never mind…you folks can fill in that last “A” on your own.  The highest profile school on the list is undoubtedly the NCAA basketball runner-up, the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois.  Under the terms of the review, the schools under examination must submit to the NCAA an explanation as to why they use Native American mascots and nicknames.

 

I understand completely that there are many Native Americans that are offended by the use of these nicknames in the sports world, on both the collegiate and professional levels.  What I don’t understand is why the NCAA thinks it is responsible for the problem.  The University of Illinois has been using its mascot for nearly 80 years.  The NCAA, while it would have you believe its roots trace back almost 100 years, has existed in a form similar to the one it holds today for just better than 50 years.  Doing the math, we can tell you the Fighting Illini have been the Fighting Illini for just a day or two longer than the bureaucratic overlords of college athletics have really been around.  If Illinois feels they should change their nickname or mascot (they are, by the way, considering dropping the use of Chief Illiniwek, the school mascot who performs in full headdress regalia), then let them change it.  But to mandate them to simply because it offends somebody’s sensibilities is ridiculous.

 

I suppose that this case really gets under my skin because it is symbolic of a larger problem we have in the country:  political correctness.  When did this happen by the way?  This notion that nobody should ever say or do anything that might offend someone else goes against the very grain of this country.  Ever heard of free speech?  The same people (and I speak of non-Native Americans) that would criticize schools for having these nicknames are the same people that would defend some nut’s right to burn the American flag.  Well…I find flag burning offensive.  But I too agree that everyone in this country has their right to free expression.  It is simply un-American for any body, much less the NCAA, to suggest to colleges and universities what is acceptable or unacceptable to use as a logo, mascot, or nickname.  These are supposed to be institutions of higher learning.  If there is a true problem with a name the school is using, let alumni, faculty, and students speak out to have the name changed at that particular school.

 

To the best of my knowledge, schools have always had great pride in the school name.  I am unaware of any institution using a Native American nickname with the intent to trivialize that particular tribe or Native Americans in general.  Several schools (including Illinois) mentioned in their report to the NCAA that the use of Native American names was intend to reflect positively on the particular tribal name and Native Americans in general.  And I believe that is probably true in most cases.  Certainly, we know how times have changed.  We know that many schools took up their nicknames in a time where people (and I mean white men…can I say that?  Or should I say Caucasians?  Let me know if any of you are offended…on second thought, go away…) were not sensitive to the feelings of the Native American people.

 

So here is my solution:  No additional Native American nicknames should be added.  And it isn’t a ban on new nicknames, it is a suggestion.  All previously held Native American names that do not clearly suggest savagery or violence (like the Savages of Southeastern Oklahoma State) may be kept if the school so desires.  However (and here’s the kicker), each school choosing to keep a Native American nickname must pay a standard licensing fee (we can even let the NCAA be involved in setting it) either to the particular tribe whose name is being used, or to a general fund that aids education in Native American schools.  Now some real good is being done with the use of the nickname.  If schools are willing to pay the licensing fee, then Native American causes benefit.  Just doing away with these nicknames is a benefit to no one at all.

 

The other thing that bugs me is the fact that we only hear from the complaining parties.  Has there never been a young man or young woman of Native American descent who swelled with pride at seeing his or her heritage on national television?  Not once?  You would think there would be some sort of pride at knowing schools chose to go into athletic competition with your tribe’s name on their jerseys (although I understand if Seminoles were ticked the last few years every time Chris Rix was under center at Florida State).

 

At any rate, let’s all stop being so offended.  Look at the trouble this mess has caused Marquette.  Once the Warriors, the school dropped the nickname in 1993 in favor of the Golden Eagles (like we need a few more of those).  They recently decided to become the Gold, but there was uproar by alumni and students against the name.  See, that can happen.  People can facilitate change without the help of a big brother governing body. They have since pared down a list of potential names to a select few, due to be voted on to see what name Marquette athletic squads will wear on their jerseys in the future.  Is it too late to suggest LAUGHINGSTOCK? 

 

We don’t need to see another school have to go through this.  Schools like Illinois have a very rich tradition that is deeply connected to the Illini name.  It would be unfair to ask them to change.  And you can’t allow them to keep their name and then ask other schools to drop theirs.  Such is a very slippery slope.  One that the NCAA would already be on if they go through with banning all Native American nicknames.  After all, what would be next?  What is Nebraska to do if corn huskers begin to feel slighted?

 

The Chief Justice finds the NCAA guilty of, well, being the NCAA.  This type of behavior is nothing new from the governing body of collegiate athletics.  Their sentence is to spend more time trying to find out if some coach gave some poor kid money for a plane ticket home to see his family.  Because we can’t have that sort of thing going on….

 

And don’t forget, if you see a Golden Gopher shaking his fist at you, give him a wide berth….Court is adjourned.

 

 

Contact The Chief Justice at chiefjustice@thehighcourtofsports.com.

Should the NCAA ban the use of Native American mascots and nicknames?  The Chief has been with Illinois for nearly eight decades. (AP)