Newberry College appeal of Indian nickname is rejected by the NCAA.
Newberry College's response to the NCAA's appeal rejection
by Dr. Mitchell Zais, Newberry College President
10/26/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Contact: Scott McCain
Newberry College Sports Information
803-321-5667
Below is Newberry College's response to the NCAA's rejection of Newberry College's appeal regarding its Native American mascot as articulated by College President Dr. Mick Zais.
We stand by our position as articulated in our appeal to the NCAA. The heart of our appeal follows:
"Newberry College celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. It was during the first decade of intercollegiate sports that our nickname had its unique origin. Our baseball team purchased red uniforms that originally were ordered by a local semi-pro team but were never paid for. By adoption of the student body, the College nickname became the Indians. This name was not chosen in order to demean, mock, or belittle Native Americans; institutions will rarely pick a mascot or a nickname they do not respect and that does not represent admirable and indomitable qualities. 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 ... We understand that the NCAA may be embarrassed by some schools' use of a mascot or nickname in such a way that stereotypes or demeans a race or group of people. Newberry College is ! not one of those schools. There is no sentiment, either in our own or the communities in which we compete, to change our nickname. Instead, there is a groundswell of alumni and supporters who are enraged with the perceived heavy hand of the NCAA and its condemnation of Newberry's 'Indian Pride'."
Newberry College has no intention of changing its nickname. Changing at this time would indicate that we did not truly believe in the validity of our appeal, or that our moral compass was subject to be swayed by the collective opinion of the NCAA Executive Council.
We are disappointed in this unjust, coercive, and perhaps illegal ruling from the NCAA. Our participation in postseason play will not be affected since we have uniforms that do not bear what the NCAA deems "offending" or "offensive" marks. We are sorry that the NCAA feels that Newberry is unfit to host postseason play because of a nickname that our athletic teams have borne for nearly a century.
