National Collegiate Asinine Athletics

NCAA Bans Indian Nicknames In Tournaments

'Hostile, Abusive' Monikers To Disappear After Feb. 1

POSTED: 12:35 pm EDT August 5, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA has banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments but will not prohibit them otherwise.

The NCAA's Executive Committee decided this week the organization doesn't have the authority to bar Indian mascots by individual schools.

NCAA Committee chairman Walter Harrison says nicknames or mascots deemed "hostile or abusive" would not be allowed by teams on their uniforms or other clothing with any NCAA tournament after Feb. 1.

The guidelines for which logos and nicknames would be considered "hostile or abusive" haven't been announced.

Among the schools that have changed nicknames in recent years -- Saint John's from Redmen to Red Storm and Marquette from Warriors to Golden Eagles.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.