[OT] NCAA Revisits Native American Team Nicknames

[Beeeej]

From the article at http://www.uscho.com/news/2005/05/18_010612.php :

"What could be done â€" and has been done in other situations â€" is to impose a ban on hosting NCAA championships for violations of NCAA rules. Two states, South Carolina and Mississippi, are currently banned from hosting NCAA championships due to official uses of the Confederate 'Southern Cross' battle flag or elements of it."

Well, so much for Biloxi's Frozen Four bid.

Beeeej

[Rosey]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the NCAA should shut its cornhole about various politically-correct causes and concentrate on effectively managing intercollegiate athletic events?  These jackasses with a cause and a little bit of power just end up making life more difficult for everyone, instead of doing their job and providing a service that provides enjoyment for millions of student athletes and spectators.

Okay, rant off.

Kyle

[Roy 82]

I think that it is OK for the NCAA to limit their championships to those states that chose to be a part of the Union.

[KeithK]

Agree completely.

How the heck can the name "Warriors" (as in Merrimack) possibly offend anyone, particularly when they've changed the mascot so it has absolutely no reference to anything Indian?

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Kind of like Marquette did?  ::rolleyes::

I'm with krose, the NCAA has better things to do that be the PC police.

[Trotsky]

Yeah.  And stop playing that stupid US anthem before games.  That's just the sort of politically correct garbage we can do without.

When you're against it, it's "PC."  When your for it, it's virtuous or good manners.

Turn your outrage down a tad, please... it's boring.

[Rosey]

[Q]Trotsky Wrote:

Turn your outrage down a tad, please... it's boring.[/q]

Hmm.  Just what I was thinking.  Ironic.  ;-)

Kyle

[DeltaOne81]

I agree in some cases it seems like there's a search for demons, however, that far from means I approve of the names that still exist, and I certainly don't mind it being discouraged. I'm with Greg there, undoubtedly.

But you don't need to go to Merrimack to get an example of possible issue where none exists. Rather, how about the closer-to-home (or closer-to-Ithaca) Colgate Raiders, formerly Red Raiders. Which not only didn't actively have anything to do with native americans, but *never* had anything to do with, association with, or roots in native american culture, rather just referring to the school colors. Watch our, we're next

But hey, if it eliminates home regionals, I wouldn't mind men's hockey barring schools with native american nicknames from hosting in their home rink, and while we're at it, lets add furry creatures  to the banded list (say gophers and wolverines, just as random examples).

[Greenberg \'97]

I'll take the NCAA seriously when it considers banning the most offensive nickname in all of sports.  But as long as Notre Dame can sign billion-dollar TV contracts, that's not going to happen.

[billhoward]

[Q]Greenberg '97 Wrote: I'll take the NCAA seriously when it considers banning the most offensive nickname in all of sports.  But as long as Notre Dame can sign billion-dollar TV contracts, that's not going to happen.[/q]Offensive? How abouut misleading in other directions. Look at the team photo or check the surnames. The old joke:

Q: What do you call 11 guys with Polish last names?
A: The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame

OTOH, "the Fighting Melting Pot" doesn't sound so good in a team song.

[Rosey]

How about people stop looking for ways to be offended, and just live their lives?  Myopic Americans, not everything is about you. ::screwy::

Kyle

[Jacob 03]

[Q]krose Wrote:

 How about people stop looking for ways to be offended, and just live their lives?  Myopic Americans, not everything is about you.

Kyle[/q]

Yes, because those two sentences aren't myopic in three different ways...::rolleyes::

[Q]Greenberg '97 Wrote:

 I'll take the NCAA seriously when it considers banning the most offensive nickname in all of sports.  But as long as Notre Dame can sign billion-dollar TV contracts, that's not going to happen.
[/q]


I understand the desire for prioritization, but do you honestly think "Fighting Irish" (even WITH the deplorable caricature) is really worse than "Redskins?"

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

[Q]Trotsky Wrote:

 Yeah.  And stop playing that stupid US anthem before games.  That's just the sort of politically correct garbage we can do without.

[/q]

Can't do that.  We need an excuse to shout "Red!"  :-P

[Rosey]

[Q]Jacob 03 Wrote:

 [Q2]krose Wrote:

 How about people stop looking for ways to be offended, and just live their lives?  Myopic Americans, not everything is about you.

Kyle[/Q]
Yes, because those two sentences aren't myopic in three different ways...
[/q]
Touche.  But there are different types of myopia, and I'd argue that committing one's self to personal productivity is a virtue, while narcissism is clearly not.

Kyle

[Steve M]

I agree with Kyle.  While I can understand native Americans protesting perjorative nicknames such as the Redskins, they need to turn down their outrage over all the other native American team names.  Schools chose names such as the Fighting Sioux, Seminoles, Warriors, Braves, etc. because they admired their battle skill, not because they're putting them down.  I've never heard of a European American protest over the use of the Celtics, Fighting Irish, or Vikings for sports teams, but could understand it if people got upset if someone wanted to name a team the Crackers or the Honkeys.