Executive committee also extends policy to cover off-campus sites

07:49 PM CDT on Friday, April 28, 2006

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS – Despite a letter from a tribal leader in support of the Fighting Sioux nickname, North Dakota lost its appeal to the NCAA on Friday. Illinois and Indiana University of Pennsylvania did not fare any better.

The NCAA's executive committee rejected appeals from the schools that would have allowed them to use Indian nicknames or images without penalty. Bradley, the fourth school with an appeal, became the nation's first to appear on a five-year watch list. The message was clear: The NCAA would not retreat from its policy banning the use of "hostile" and "abusive" Indian nicknames, mascots and imagery at championship events.

Friday's decisions came nearly eight months after NCAA president Myles Brand first announced the policy, which prohibits offenders from hosting postseason games and bars the use of Indian nicknames and images by everyone from coaches and players to cheerleaders and band members.

Critics contend the NCAA should not legislate social behavior or morality. Brand, however, said he believes the policy could create more dialogue on campuses and in communities about showing respect for American Indians.

Instead of backing down, the NCAA expanded the policy to include a prohibition for offenders from hosting tournament games at off-campus sites. In the August announcement, the NCAA banned those schools from hosting tournament games on campus.

North Dakota president Charles Kupchella was surprised by the rejection after the university included a letter from Archie Fool Bear, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's judicial committee, in its documentation.

Schools such as Florida State, Utah and Central Michigan all used supporting letters from nearby tribes to win their appeals.

"We are not only disappointed by the NCAA's action, we are baffled by it," Kupchella said.

The problem, committee chair Walter Harrison said, was that Standing Rock chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder sent a letter opposing North Dakota's nickname.

Illinois won an appeal in November to keep its nickname after demonstrating that the use of Fighting Illini was not a direct Indian reference. University officials argued the term also referred to veterans from World War I. But Friday's decision still bans Illinois from using its mascot, Chief Illiniwek, and other Indian images at postseason games. The school also cannot host tournament games.

Bradley, nicknamed the Braves, stopped using a mascot and Indian imagery about 10 years ago – a move NCAA officials applauded. That helped Bradley avoid immediate penalties, but it now faces NCAA monitoring of its nickname and imagery at games, on campus and on Web sites.

It was the second and final appeal for all four schools. Brand would not say whether the schools could file more appeals if they produce more evidence. The schools do have another option – in court.

"But be assured," Brand said, "the NCAA feels very confident in its decision and will defend it [the policy] to the utmost."

Alcorn State (Braves)

Arkansas State (Indians)

University of Illinois (Fighting Illini), appeal rejected.

Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians), appeal rejected.

Newberry College (Indians), appeal pending before executive committee.

University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux), appeal rejected.

Central Michigan (Chippewas), won appeal.

Florida State (Seminoles), won appeal.

Mississippi College (Choctaws), won appeal.

University of Utah (Utes), won appeal.

Carthage College (Red Men), changing nickname.

Chowan College (Braves), changing nickname and mascot.

University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians), changing nickname and mascot.

Midwestern State University (Indians), changing nickname.

Southeastern Oklahoma State (Savages), changed nickname to Savage Storm.

Bradley (Braves), NCAA will monitor use of nickname and imagery for five years.

Catawba College (Indians)

McMurry University (Indians)

William and Mary (The Tribe)