Following Precedent

Since the NCAA has decided to ban Native American mascots from appearing in postseason play (even though they never asked the Seminole Nation if Florida State offended them), I’ve decided that they have not gone far enough. Here’s the list of teams that need to change in order to be worthy of NCAA postseason play:

Indiana State University – Indiana…”Land of the Indians”…offensive
Purdue Boilermakers – not only is the Boilermaker an alcoholic beverage, but the nickname originated as an insult, so I hear…hostile
IU Hoosiers – even if they remove the offensive Indiana from their title, the name Hoosier was also a derogatory term, according to some sources…abusive
UT Volunteers – what about those in the state that did not volunteer? insensitive
Notre Dame – the “Fightin’ Irish” are represented by a red-headed, pugilistic, leprechaun…if the FSU Seminoles, who are supported by the Seminole Nation, are offensive, then Notre Dame’s mascot is intolerable
UMass Minutemen – we must consider our British friends…divisive
Oklahoma State Cowboys – what’s more offensive against Native Americans than their “arch-enemy?” inexcusable

Those are just the names off the top of my head. Of course, if you want to get PETA involved, I’m sure they could protest the use of animals, especially the Gamecocks.

We must realize that this edict was handed down by the same man who mishandled the entire Bob Knight debacle at IU. Here’s a quote from his announcement to ban the mascots: “Imitation, it is said, is the highest form of flattery. But when it is viewed in the eyes of those being portrayed as hostile and abusive — no matter how well-intended — imitation becomes the lowest form of disrespect and insult (emphasis added).” The question remains: when did they ask those being portrayed?

All this being said, I believe some names truly are offensive. Redmen is intolerable. Braves even pushes the line. I’d say Rebels is out of line, but I’d be in the minority – especially with my reasons.

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"

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