NCAA removes Seminoles from hostile list

[merwin]

NCAA removes Seminoles from hostile list

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The NCAA will allow Florida State to use its Seminoles nickname in postseason play, removing the school from a list of colleges with Native American nicknames that were restricted by an NCAA decision earlier this month.

The NCAA said it was recognizing the relationship Florida State has long enjoyed with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which assists the university with its pageantry and celebration of its culture and supports the school's use of its name.

``The staff review committee noted the unique relationship between the university and the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a significant factor,'' the NCAA said Tuesday. ``The decision of a namesake sovereign tribe, regarding when and how its name and imagery can be used, must be respected even when others may not agree.''

Florida State President T.K. Wetherell had threatened to sue the NCAA immediately after its Aug. 5 announcement that the school's highly visible nickname, ``Seminoles,'' was defined as ``hostile and abusive'' by a committee.

The NCAA said it would handle reviews from other schools on a case-by-case basis. The Illinois Fighting Illini, Utah Utes and North Dakota Fighting Sioux are among other prominent school nicknames that remain affected by the edict.

Under the NCAA restrictions, teams with American Indian nicknames would not be able to use them in postseason tournaments.


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What a crock... selective enforcement

[LisaM]

1. Fuck them

it was the Seminole tribe of Florida that objected to Eastern Michigan being the Hurons. Now Eastern is the Eagles (fine with me) and yet Florida State keeps their name?

[LittleClarkie]

2. Yeah but

the Seminoles are cool with it. Why should the Seminoles miss out on a relationship they enjoy with the team. Shouldn't this be decided more on a case by case basis. I'd like to see some referendums happening here, get some voting in.

[hughee99]

5. I agree that this should be decided on a case-by-case basis...

Just because you think someone might be offended doesn't mean that the necessarily will be. The Seminoles are a good example of this. On the surface, someone who wasn't familiar with the relationship between the tribe and the school might think that it was offensive, and yet that doesn't seem to be the case. I can see were a non-tribe specific name (like "indians") might be a difficult case to look at, but for the Utes, Illini, Seminoles, etc. there are specific tribal representatives who can be consulted and can probably clear up the issues rather quickly. The bottom line is that if the tribe isn't offended, why should a team have to change it's name. I'm glad to see the NCAA is starting down a better path here.

[merwin]

8. It should be the other way around though.

Only deny them use of the name if a valid reason from a valid group of people can be made. It's not right to just say you can't use ANY native american names unless the NCAA says it's OK.

[hughee99]

10. I agree...

If they want to clear this up, they can start with the list of nicknames that may be offensive. Hold a hearing of some sort, making sure that a representative of the possibly offended group is aware of them, and listen to both sides. If no one has any issues, the name stands. Only in the case that the interested group presents a case as to why it is offensive, should the name be changed.

[LisaM]

22. I'm just saying that they seemed to think Hurons was an offensive name

and lobbied to get it changed (the Seminoles were part of having the Hurons' name changed, is what I am saying.) It's hypocritical not to apply their same principles to themselves. I am not Native American myself, so I don't really feel that I have a right to opine on this, though I do think that a team named after the local Native American tribes is less offensive than, say, Redskins.

[LittleClarkie]

24. I'm about 1/16 Cherokee

But then, aren't we all.

I see what you mean if they stuck their nose into the Hurons business and then didn't have a problem with themselves. Maybe a way of getting rid of competition?

How about the Cleveland Indians, with that fool cartoon face. Even so, I'd poll the Indians in the Ohio area (please, no Diebold) and see what they thought about the goofy Indian face.

But yeah, I see what you mean now.

[wakeme2008]

3. there was only ONE

person that complained, and he said he spoke for the Seminole Tribe of OK but he lied. :grr:

[Lochloosa]

4. For a true Seminole Fan there can be only one response to this...

GO TO HELL GATORS...GO TO HELL...:headbang:

[FlaGranny]

6. Funny one!

As to the question of names, though, if the name is mutually agreed upon and beneficial to BOTH parties it is fine, and that seems to be the case with the "Noles."

[Jack from Charlotte]

11. Your moron President. TK the Idiot saying"..... the Trail of Tears didn't

go far enough," in response to the Oklahoma Tribe leader not likeing your mascot was like a Japanese official saying the Bataan Death March.... did not go far enough because he didn't like something an American said.

That was reprehensible. The Trail of Tears death March killed over 4,000 Indians and your asshole president said it didn't go far enough.

And BTW, didn't Florida beat your ass on your own field last year the night they named the field after your right wing coach?

LOL.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

27. We are the Florida State Seminoles not the Oklahoma State Seminoles

You must be an effin gator.

[Jack from Charlotte]

30. You failed to defend your idiot president who said he wished

The Trail of Tears went farther and essentially killed the Oklahoma Seminoles. But, what would one expect from such a garbage school's representative or grad.

Also, your garbage bin "college" dooesn't hold a candle to The University of Florida. I recruit National Merit Scholars for my school (Cornell) and Florida is one of the biggest winners in recruiting those top students. FSU? Right. A total joke. Not even a player.

And I did see that Florida beat you at your home field the same night they renamed it for your right wing coach.

[halley]

18. Exactly

Go Noles!

[JohnLocke]

28. FSU still sucks

[Tempest]

7. UnConstitutional

They can't have selective enforcement according to numerous SCOTUS rulings.

[merwin]

9. Unfortunately, NCAA is a private organization.

Just like the Boy Scouts legally don't have to allow gays to join.

[maxsolomon]

12. THIS fighting irishman demands equal consideration!

Notre Dame exploits my people with a rascist charactature!

[merwin]

14. Well, in your case the stereotype is generally true.

You've got the militant irish as well as the drunken bar-fights (which are really fun to watch IMO).

:toast:

Then there's those leprechauns... damn, they can get mean!

[maxsolomon]

16. why you...

let me get me shillalaugh!

(i am a bad irishman - can't spell)

[depakid]

13. Somehow I'm guessing that FSU has more weight

than others similarly situated- and that they'll receive preferential treatment that won't be afforded to, say, the Utah Utes and smaller, less sports "aggressive" colleges....

[Robeson]

15. And His Royal Heir Jeb was upset about the NCAA ruling....

...and when the King's brother is upset, the NCAA must listen. I seriously doubt these other colleges are going to have as much pull as the Count of Florida.

[MADem]

17. This is an interesting subject for discussion

When is something offensive? Some team logos clearly are, and some team names are thoughtless. On the other hand, if the group in question supports the name, it is a compliment, not a slur.

If you substituted any ethnic or cultural group for say, a team called the Indians, would that group be offended? (Poles, Italians, Irish, e.g.). And speaking of Irish, what about the Fighting Irish? Is that an insult? And then there's the Celtics in Boston....

And then there was that team called the Fighting Whities (I clearly saw their point): http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/03/11/sports1543EST0390.DTL

[fishnfla]

19. Told ya' so

I knew this rule was stupid when applied to them. The NCAA should study an issue before they wade into it.

Up next North Dakota off the list

[Waya]

20. Maybe not so much a case by case ....

...maybe more on the basis of 'deragatory' names. Like the 'Redskins', etc. If the Seminole Tribe has no problem with the Team using that name, fine. It isn't a deragatory name.
However, any Teamname or Mascot that depicts Native Americans, their Culture, Traditions or Ceremonies in a discriminating and stereotypical way shouldn't be allowed.

[fishnfla]

21. I hear you

Deragatory names out, ("savages" is the worst, IMO). But tribal names on a case by case basis: Utes, Souix, and Illini: Lets hear from the tribal nations (although the Illini are extinct)

More to the point: the NCAA went off half-cocked, and now they are backpedaling, which lessens the cause.

[Dirty Hippie]

23. So does the Seminole tribe get any money

for the use of their name?

Just wondering.

[U4ikLefty]

25. Good Question!!!

I also wonder if any individual "tribal-leaders" got any $$$ from the alumni??? Just an honest question.

[Waya]

29. Seminoles ....

...are getting Scholarships from FSU in return for the use of their name. Actual payment - no. At least, so goes the official story.
It is hard to say if this is the truth or not - many Natives aren't so particular these days and sell our names, traditions and culture to the highest bidder.



:cry:

[Tin Man]

26. yeah, kinda like stadium naming rights in the NFL

...only backwards :crazy:

In a practical sense, that's the precedent established by this ruling. If you bankroll the tribe and keep 'em happy, you get to use their name. If you fall behind on your "sponsorship", then the tribe announces to the NCAA that you're now "hostile" and they take the name away - seems like a open door for extortion to me.