[RollTideFan] the insanity continues

[Charles]

Look especially at the last few paragraphs about PETA’s concerns.   Schools consider appeals to NCAA By Steve Wieberg and Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY As Florida State moved Wednesday to protect its "Seminoles" name and symbols, at least two other Division I schools affected by new NCAA restrictions on the use of Native American imagery weighed appeals. Neither Utah, which derives its nickname from the local Ute tribe, nor Central Michigan, which calls its teams the Chippewas, has taken formal action. But officials foresee challenging an NCAA ruling that their Indian references and images are offensive.   "We're still a little surprised at how this all came out and how the NCAA described what we do (in using the Ute as a symbol)," Utah athletics director Chris Hill said. "We know we have the support of the Ute Nation, and we anticipate that we will appeal."   Said Central Michigan spokesman Steve Smith, "All indications are we will file an appeal."   Other Division I schools — Alcorn State (Braves), Arkansas State (Indians), Bradley (Braves), Illinois (Fighting Illini) and Louisiana-Monroe (Indians) — have not decided on a course of action. Nor has Division II North Dakota (the Fighting Sioux), which plays Division I hockey and is scheduled to host an NCAA regional next March. The NCAA will prohibit any school not complying with its mascot guidelines from hosting any association-sponsored postseason events.   Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Feeney,R-Fla., who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, said his office will push the NCAA to reconsider and, if rebuked, he'll seek legislative relief. That, the Orlando lawmaker said, could be an amendment to antitrust laws "to specifically prohibit what the NCAA has done. ... They have the right to promulgate reasonable rules, but they don't have the right to promulgate unreasonable rules. Effectively, they're restraining in this case the right of Florida State students and Florida State athletes and Florida State supporters to participate in and support postseason play."   Feeney also criticized the new NCAA guidelines as restrictions on free speech and an infringement on colleges' autonomy.   FSU athletics director Dave Hart Jr. was critical of what he called the "stealth nature" of the NCAA process. FSU and other schools, he charged, were kept in the dark. Though targeted schools were ordered by the NCAA to conduct and share self-reviews of nicknames and mascots, Hart said school and Seminole Tribe of Florida officials should have been invited to testify before the executive committee.   NCAA President Myles Brand said he called Hart 24 hours before the vote "and told him that this is the issue on the table; I don't know which way the vote's going to go."   Why not the Irish? The NCAA says it has never questioned Notre Dame's Fighting Irish nickname or leprechaun mascot because it hasn't received a formal complaint.   "We have not gotten information from any group that represents Irish or (anyone of) Irish ancestry ... that they believe that image is hostile and/or abusive," said Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president for diversity and inclusion. "On the other hand, we had a lot of input from Native American tribes across the country that they believe the imagery at Florida State and other schools is (offensive)."   Feeney raised the Irish question Wednesday. "There's no end to this," he said. "I happen to be an American of Irish descent. Should I be outraged at the notion that the Fighting Irish suggest a brawling, half-drunken Irishman? How about the Holy Cross Crusaders? Should every American Muslim be outraged at the thousands upon thousands of Muslims and atheists and non-Christians who perished during the Crusades? ... I really believe the NCAA is imposing the thought police on sports teams."   Six Division II and III schools use "Fighting Scots": Edinboro (Pa.), Ohio Valley (W.Va.), Wooster (Ohio), Monmouth (Ill.), Gordon (Mass.) and Maryville (Tenn.). Two use Scots: Macalester (Minn.) and Alma (Mich.).   PETA weighs in: The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to Brand on Wednesday asking the NCAA to stop South Carolina and Jacksonville (Ala.) State from using the nickname Gamecocks.   The letter, a copy of which was given to USA TODAY by PETA, says Gamecocks "are named after the birds used in cockfighting, a hideous 'blood sport' that, like spousal abuse, bank robbery and driving while intoxicated, is illegal in both South Carolina and Alabama."   Said Feeney: "For once, I believe that PETA, at least on the level of logic, is correct. If the NCAA has to protect offended Native Americans ... by God, PETA ought to advocate for the protection of every organism in the animal kingdom."   Contributing: Andy Gardiner, wires   http://www.the-sandbox.org If you work on your mind with your mind, how can you avoid immense confusion? - Seng-Ts'an

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