What do you think about college teams using Native American mascots?

[Sean Reynolds]

Here in Utah the largest state school is called the Utah Utes. The Ute tribe is also where the state "UTAH" got its name from. The University of Utah has the blessing of the local Ute tribe to use the term "Ute" for their mascot. It's in no way offensive, or different than say a team being called the Irish (like Notre Dame).

The NCAA might ban the usage of Native American names in sports. I don't agree with this because I don't see the problem with Utah using the term Ute. They've got the ok from local tribes, it's not a derogatory term like "Redskins" -- which was actually the original name before they changed it to the Utes -- and I think it's no different than any other 'cultural' name.

Do you think if the NCAA bans the usage of Native American names, they'll have to do the same with other names as well?

What about the Fighting Irish? I don't see how that's any different than the Fighting Illini.

What about the Mountaineers? Is that any different than the Aztecs?

What about the Cowboys? Is that any different than the Seminoles (who, like the Utes, have approval to use that term).

What do you all think? Clearly schools like Florida State, Illinois and Utah all have support from local tribes to use the term Seminoles, Illini and Ute. So what's the problem here?

And where do we draw the line?

[taught_me_patience]

1. no problem with it

I went to University of Hawaii. Our mascot: Hawaiian Warrior.

It was better than the "Rainbows"

[MasonJar]

2. If it is offensive to the American Indians, it should not happen.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. Doesn't Bother Me If...

I may be an insensitive and unenlightened white boy, but I'm not bothered by the thought of college sports teams using Native American names if those names aren't intrinsically insulting--like "Redskins" or "Squaws."

I do feel that any college sports team that does use Native American names, or at least the names of Native American nations, ought to try to get permission and/or agree to pay something (money or services) for using the name.

Personally, I think that forcing sports teams to drop Native American names is a mistake. Regardless of quite understandable feelings about past stereotypes, I fear that dropping the names would put REAL Native Americans "out of sight," and therefore "out of mind."

Native Americans are a beleaguered minority in the USA. They can't afford to be out of sight and out of mind.

[Rainbowreflect]

4. I am much more bothered by the "tomahawk chop".

To me that would be like making a drinking motion to support the Fighting Irish.