Florida State with Chief Osceola riding a horse with a feathered spear, Seminole logo and helmet with spear and feather were all cleared by the NCAA last August. Yet the same board deemed that while the nickname “Tribe” was ok, that the feathers in the logo of The College of William & Mary were a “stereotypical reference to Native Americans.”

To me, this is the most interesting part from the NCAA’s review:

The committee believes that while the college’s rationale for the use of the nickname and imagery is not inherently hostile or abusive, and the college may not intend to malign Native Americans, the continued use of such Native American references creates an environment over which an institution may not have full control. Fans, opponents, and others can and will exhibit behaviors that indeed are hostile or abusive to Native Americans.

The committee also recognizes the support from the Virginia tribal leaders but notes that while not all Native Americans are of the same mind with regard to the effect of such nicknames, mascots and imagery, a significant majority of the two million individuals who designate themselves as solely Native American concur that stereotyping of their culture and customs has contributed to a continuation of the hostile or abusive environment in which they have been placed for generations.

Yet because Florida State had a special relationship with the Seminole Tribe then their imagery is all ok? Why does the NCAA trust that Florida State fans will not be “hostile or abusive” to Native Americans yet not trust fans of The College of William & Mary? President Nichol’s take is quite accurate “The NCAA’s varied interpretations of mascot policy—what it allows and what it rejects—are impossible to comprehend or justify.”

President Nichol also mentioned “the U. S. Congress is considering taking the matter out of the Association’s hands”. Note that William & Mary is still appealing the initial review from the NCAA. There are several institutions who have heard the NCAA’s final review and UND and Illinois both had their appeals recently rejected. So their local representitives have introduced a bill (H.R. 5289 Protection of University Governance Act of 2006) before the US House to limit the NCAA’s authority on the matter.

Until institutions comply with the NCAA’s decision, they will be unable to host NCAA sanctioned championships or, effective August 1, 2008, will not be able to wear the “hostile” logos at any NCAA championship.

NCAA 2005-08-05 - NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events
NCAA 2005-08-19 - NCAA Executive Committee Approves Native American Mascot Review Process
NCAA 2005-08-23 - Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on Florida State University Review
NCAA 2006-05-16 - Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on the College of William and Mary Review
President Nichol’s Letter to the NCAA on the Use of Tribe Nickname
President Nichol’s Letter to Community Concerning NCAA Ruling