SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer Offensive American Indian nicknames & mascots

The pride of the Newberry Indians
By Mitchell Zais, President of Newberry College
8/22/2005

This Op/Ed column was published in The State Newspaper on Friday, August 19, 2005.

The NCAA's recent allegation that this college's nickname is "hostile and abusive" is insulting to the thousands of alumni who proudly claim the title "Newberry Indian."
As one pastor recently wrote to me, "I will be a Newberry Indian in Heaven." Newberry College, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2006, has been playing football for more than 90 years. Our nickname honors the history and culture of the American Indian, his bravery and tenacity in battle. In all cases, it is used with dignity and with respect for Native American heritage. Few institutions will pick a mascot or a nickname they do not respect.
It is the height of arrogance for the NCAA to presume to speak on behalf of all Native Americans. While Native American activists are opposed to Indian mascots and nicknames, they do not speak for the majority. According to the March 4, 2002, issue of Sports Illustrated, a Harris Research poll showed that 81 percent of Native Americans support the use of Indian nicknames in high school and college athletics, and 83 percent support them in professional sports. Sports Illustrated concluded, "Although Native American activists are virtually united in opposition to the use of American Indian nicknames and mascots, the Native American population sees the issue far differently."
Another poll reported in September 2004 by the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey produced almost identical results. These consistent findings show that Native Americans overwhelmingly understand that use of mascots, nicknames and logos is in no way intended to offend the courageous and proud people represented.
As evidence of this support, a number of American Indian tribes have close working relationships with schools using their nicknames. Such relationships exist, for example, between the University of North Carolina-Pembroke Braves and the Pembroke tribe, the Seminoles and Florida State University, and at Arapahoe High School in Littleton, Colo., and the Arapahoe tribal members.
The worst thing that could happen for Native Americans is that their proud history and traditions fade from public awareness to be replaced only by images of casinos and tax-free cigarettes.
What's next from the NCAA? A proscription against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as demeaning to persons of Irish descent? Condemnation of all schools with Crusader nicknames as insulting to Christians? Or censure of the blue hose-wearing Highlanders of South Carolina's Presbyterian College as offensive to people of Scottish ancestry?
To NCAA President Myles Brand, I would say that the NCAA has more important things to do than to try to establish itself as the arbiter of political correctness for our institutions of higher learning. I suggest you start by attending to student athletes' welfare by countering pressures for ever-lengthening seasons, as exemplified by the newly announced 12-game football schedule. Get back to the job that the member institutions pay you to do.
Mr. Zais is the president of Newberry College.