August 8, 2005

 

NCAA Restricts Use of American Indian Mascots
University of Illinois Included in New Policies

On August 4th, 2005, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Executive Committee met and approved a proposal to restrict the use of American Indian mascots, like University of Illinois’ “Chief Illiniwek” at NCAA colleges and university. The NCAA banned schools from displaying “hostile and abusive” racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at NCAA championships starting February 1st, 2006. Schools that have such mascots will be prevented from hosting championship competitions; in the meantime, schools that are scheduled to host championship competitions must take reasonable action to cover up references to their mascot. The Executive Committee also decided to prohibit the institutions’ cheerleaders, dance teams and band uniforms from promoting or displaying “hostile or abusive” mascots, effective August 1st, 2008.

In regards to this decision, NCAA President Myles Brand stated, “The NCAA objects to institutions using racial/ethnic/national origin references in their intercollegiate athletics programs… All institutions are encouraged to promote these core values and take proactive steps at every NCAA event through institutional event management to enhance the integrity of intercollegiate athletics related to these issues." The NCAA began investigating the mascot controversy in April 2001, after membership feedback and after the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released a statement on the use of Native American mascots. In this statement, the commission expressed, “The stereotyping of any racial, ethnic, religious or other groups when promoted by our public educational institutions, teach all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, a dangerous lesson in a diverse society. Schools have a responsibility to educate their students; they should not use their influence to perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people.”

The University of Illinois is one of eighteen schools that fall into the NCAA’s list of schools with “abusive or hostile” mascots, nicknames or imagery. Originally thirty-three schools were included in the self-evaluation process last spring. But since then several universities, like Southeast Missouri State University and Stonehill College, have changed their mascots. Jen Tayabji, PRC Co-coordinator, stated, “I applaud the NCAA and groups like it for recognizing the impact of race-based mascots on universities and taking action within the NCAA to curtail further use of mascots like ‘Chief Illiniwek.’ Most importantly, we hope that the U of I Board finally understands the gravity of this issue and moves to eliminate ‘Chief Illiniwek’ from our campus.”

The PRC calls on the U of I to heed from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the NCAA by acting immediately to do what’s best for the University. Eliminate the “Chief”—the name, dance, and logo—now. It is long past due.

Links:

NCAA Press Release

"NCAA prohibits UI to be postseason tournament host" (The News-Gazette)

"NCAA Bans Use of Indian Mascots" (MSNBC)

"Ruling's Effect on Chief Still Unknown" (The News-Gazette)

"Chief Illiniwek May Have Had Last Dance" (The Chicago Tribune)

"NCAA Puts Ban on Indian Mascots" (SI.com)