What would it be like if we lived in a world where animals could talk?
Would mountain lions from central Pennsylvania come to Penn State and tell us to change our name?
Probably not.
Neither are Native American tribes, but the NCAA feels like it had to stick its nose in the issue. In August, they put 18 schools on a list deeming their nicknames "hostile and abusive" of race and national origin. Three schools: Utah, Central Michigan and Florida State have been taken off the list following appeals by those institutions.
Walter Harrison, chair of the committee that oversaw this matter and president of the University of Hartford addressed this matter in an August press release.
"...as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events we control."
And NCAA president Myles Brand said NCAA officials aren't trying to
get teams to change their names, because they're fine with schools having institutional autonomy and the
ban only applies to championship events.
That's all well and good that they like autonomy, but what good does it do to a team if it plays all season but isn't allowed to compete for a national championship?
They might as well not play.
So in essence, Brand is saying we can't force you to change your logo, but if you don't, you will never win another national championship.
Recruiting would go over oh-so-well then, wouldn't it?
People also attribute the schools defiance to money. It's true money would be big factor. But it's more about school pride than anything else. To take away a school's identity would be detrimental to the school.
The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux submitted their appeal on Aug. 30. They stand to lose the men's regional hockey games part of the Frozen Four, mainly because the logo is stitched in the leather seats of Ralph Englestad Arena. A Native American artist Bennet Brien designed the logo used by the Fighting Sioux.
Any problem there?
No.
Many of these schools and nicknames have been around for more than 100 years. Why now is the NCAA bringing this to attention?
The Florida State Seminoles, who already had their name taken off the list, have a good relationship with the Seminole tribes of Florida and Oklahoma. Chief Osceola, the 'Noles mascot, was brought about in 1978 when Bobby Bowden supported it as the coach of the football team. The costume Chief Osceola wears? Designed by the ladies of the Seminole tribe since its inception.
Two weeks ago during the Utah (Utes) and Arizona football game. ESPN interviewed one of the leaders of the Ute tribe. He was bedecked head to toe in Utah Utes garb. He and his tribe support Utah and their use of the name.
In some cases it is necessary to change the names. Southeastern Oklahoma State should reconsider its name "Savages," as should Carthage College (Redmen), an Evangelical Lutheran Church affiliated school, in Kenosha, Wis.
My point here is that while yes, the NCAA made a nice gesture to the Native Americans, maybe it wasn't warranted. If they end up approving all the appeals, what was the point in making the "ban" in the first place?
What goes around, comes around
A week after TCU upset Oklahoma, it got a taste of its own medicine. SMU beat the Horned Frogs to win the Iron Skillet. It was the first time in seven years the Mustangs have owned the hardware. Some are calling it the biggest win since they received the death penalty. It also bounced the Frogs from the top 25.
Quarterback draw is boring
I'm tired of this play and it's only week three in the season. Vince Young was Texas' leading rusher against Ohio State with 76 yards on 20 carries. Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith rushed for 27 yards on 13 carries. The leading rusher in Div. I-A football is Garrett Wolfe from Northern Illinois. He is a tailback and that's the way it should be. Only one quarterback, Brad Smith of Missouri, is in the top 10 rushers so far this season.
Game of the Week
No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Florida. Florida has the home-field advantage at The Swamp. They also had an extra tune-up game against Louisiana Tech. Tennessee had last week off after struggling with mighty UAB. Chris Leak will throw for more than 200 yards for the third straight game.
Florida 29, Tennessee 17.
