Arkansas State Mascot 'Indians' Must Go, Committee Says

If a committee at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro has its way, the school will have a new mascot and nickname by the 2008 academic year.

The Mascot Review Committee, assembled of fans, alumni and students of the 11,000 student campus, was charged with reviewing options for changing or retaining the school's "Indians" nickname earlier this year. The committee completed its charge today by formally recommending to campus chancellor Dr. Robert Potts that the school abandon the nickname and the more than 80 years of tradition associated with it.

The committee decided last month by a unanimous vote that it wanted to change the school's nickname so that it would be in compliance with the NCAA's post-season ban on nicknames it considers to be "hostile and abusive." This fall, the chancellor will submit the idea to the Board of Trustees, which will have the final say on any nickname change.

In the statement sent to Dr. Potts, the committee offered three key suggestions; one, that a new Mascot Selection committee be selected to assist in the search for a new mascot; two, that a marketing firm be retained to help with the decision; three, that a new mascot and imagery be introduced leading into the 2008 academic year; and four, that the school conduct an honorable and official retirement ceremony for the Indian mascot and imagery.

The NCAA's ban, which forces schools with Native American mascots to cover up uniform emblems and hide their nicknames during post-season events such as the March Madness basketball tourney or college bowl games, has forced several schools to reconsider the use of Native American imagery at sporting events, including the University of North Dakota which is currently fighting the ban in court.

Arkansas State is the last school on the NCAA's original list of 19 schools with "hostile or abusive" nicknames to take formal action toward changing their status.

One school on that list - Florida State University - successfully appealed the ban by touting its close relationship with the Seminole tribe of Florida. FSU will be allowed to use the "Seminoles" nickname and imagery even during the post-season. Illinois University can keep its "Fighting Illini" nickname but will have to cease using some of its imagery, including its popular "Chief Illiniwek" mascot.