NCAA: Fighting Sioux nickname still abusive

Nearly a month after appealing its inclusion on the NCAA's list of "hostile and abusive" American Indian mascots, logos and nicknames, the University of North Dakota found its appeal was denied on Wednesday.

North Dakota, whose sports teams go by the "Fighting Sioux" nickname, was the fourth member institution to appeal the NCAA's Aug. 5 ruling. It was the first member institution of 18 the list to have its appeal denied.

"We thought it could go either way," said North Dakota spokesman Don Kojich. "If you look at Florida State, Utah and Central Michigan, what's more offensive about the 'Fighting Sioux' than those institutions? I don't know."

Florida State, with its Seminoles nickname and Chief Osceola mascot, was the first school to appeal its inclusion on the NCAA's list. The Utah Utes and Central Michigan Chippewas also appealed and were removed from the list. Those decisions came within days of the NCAA receiving the appeals. North Dakota sent its appeal on Aug. 30 and heard back on Sept. 28.

"We're disappointed it didn't move in a quicker fashion," Kojich said.

Bradley University, with its Braves nickname, sent an appeal to the NCAA on Sept. 16. NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said no decision has been made regarding Bradley's nickname.

Williams said his organization looked at several key issues when deciding North Dakota would remain unable to host post-season events or use its logo or nickname when participating in those competitions.

Williams said the NCAA's Executive Committee set up a special staff committee to review appeals. That committee looks at each school's use of American Indian imagery, the environment on campus and programs set up to educate student on American Indian issues. But the stance of the namesake tribes - Seminoles, Chippewa, Ute or Sioux - weighed especially heavily.

"At the end of the day when you look at this issue, one of the primary concerns was the position of the namesake tribes," Williams said.

Two of the three Sioux tribes in North Dakota issued statements opposing the use of the nickname. A third, the Spirit Lake tribe, issued a resolution in 2000 saying it did not oppose the name. The NCAA could not get a more updated statement from that tribe, a NCAA press release said.

Kojich said in many cases these statements of disproval were not unanimous.

"Some media portray that when these tribes vote, it's a unanimous decision," Kojich said. "I'd be willing to bet there's as much division among the tribes about this as there is anywhere else."

North Dakota's appeal focused on that university's extensive relationship with American Indian communities, the level of respect with which its nickname and logo are used, the haste with which the NCAA policy was implemented and the university's opinion that "time could be better spent on other things by all involved."

According to the school's appeal, North Dakota has more than 400 American Indian students enrolled and offers more than 25 programs to support American Indian students.

"To me, one of the ironic things is that we have more American Indian programs, probably, than all of the other schools on this list combined," Kojich said. "We do more for American Indians. That's the irony of it all."

Illinois spokesman Tom Hardy said he does not see Illinois' case as similar to South Dakota's.

"I don't think there's any influence on us," Hardy said. "We've observed and the NCAA has said in the past that the circumstances for each appeal is unique and distinct. If and when Illinois goes forward with an appeal it will be very reflective of our own situation."