NCAA Executive Committee:
"use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics is a concern to the NCAA"

The report, dated Nov. 11, discusses the NCAA Executive Committee's gender and diversity subcommittee review of an earlier NCAA study on use of American Indian mascots.

Executive Committee asks structure for input on mascots

The NCAA Executive Committee's subcommittee on gender and diversity has recommended that a comprehensive report on American Indian mascot issues be referred to the NCAA governance structure for additional review.

The Report on the Use of American Indian Mascots in Intercollegiate Athletics, developed by the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC), will be distributed to the presidential bodies, Management Councils and championships groups in all three divisions.

The Executive Committee endorsed the subcommittee's recommendation at its November 1 meeting in Indianapolis. The group also recommended that schools that currently use American Indian mascots be given an opportunity to provide input on the matter.

The MOIC report culminated 18 months of study, an effort that the Executive Committee commended. The report acknowledges that "institutions currently using American Indian mascots, nicknames and symbols often do so as part of an honored and revered college tradition established to emulate noble qualities of American Indian people and their culture, such as courage, dignity, strength and loyalty. Often the intent in using American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos in intercollegiate athletics is to honor these people and the culture.

"However," the report said, "in acknowledgement of today's diverse society, the global expansion of higher education and the NCAA constitution that supports the honor and dignity of all persons, the MOIC believes when American Indians are used as a mascot, harmful stereotypes may result. While the committee feels that it is time for this tradition to be retired, it acknowledges and supports a member institution's self-determination on this issue."

The report outlines specific recommendations for institutions, conferences and the NCAA to conduct self-analyses of whether such mascot usage can be viewed as offensive.

The Executive Committee subcommittee agreed that the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics is a concern to the NCAA. However, the group noted that several of the report's recommendations may require additional details from various NCAA constituents.

The subcommittee also noted the MOIC's concern with the 2005 Division II Men's Basketball Championship being held at the University of North Dakota, which uses an American Indian nickname. The MOIC had recommended that the NCAA establish criteria for championship sites that eliminate visibility of American Indian mascots, logos and symbols, and that such criteria apply to sites that already had been determined.

Neither the subcommittee nor the Executive Committee took action on that specific recommendation.

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