Arkansas State to change mascot

[AppGuy04]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2949099

JONESBORO, Ark. -- The chancellor at Arkansas State said Wednesday the school would retire its Indian mascot, targeted by an NCAA ban on mascots that are ethnically or racially hostile or abusive.

Chancellor Robert L. Potts named a Mascot Selection Steering Committee to solicit ideas for a new mascot. He did not release a timetable for when American Indian imagery would be retired or when a new mascot would be announced.

[Purple Pride]

ASU is on my official "10 things I could give a sh#t less about" list. They cry about the Razorbacks not playing them, and turn right around and do the same thing to UCA. UCA offered before the beginning of last year to play them, in Jonesboro, for free, and pay our own way there. They still didn't want any of us. Wimps.

If they need a new mascot, maybe it should be the "Turd Tumblers".

Sinkin' and Stinkin'.

[GeauxColonels]

ASU is on my official "10 things I could give a sh#t less about" list. They cry about the Razorbacks not playing them, and turn right around and do the same thing to UCA. UCA offered before the beginning of last year to play them, in Jonesboro, for free, and pay our own way there. They still didn't want any of us. Wimps.

If they need a new mascot, maybe it should be the "Turd Tumblers".

Sinkin' and Stinkin'.

Tell us how you really feel.....really.

[Fresno St. Alum]

God I hope it's not another _____ Hawks like damn near all the teams that change from the Indians

[skinny_uncle]

How about the Arkansas State Hillbillies?

[BigApp]

God I hope it's not another _____ Hawks like damn near all the teams that change from the Indians

well, it could be Eagles or Bulldogs...

[lifesapuntreturn]

How about the Arkansas State "Generics" to make sure nobody is offended.

[Purple Pride]

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure they've changed to the "Red Wolves".

[SuperHornet]

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure they've changed to the "Red Wolves".

Now the bloody ACLU is going to convince the NCAA that there's STILL a derogatory racial reference in there.

Anybody notice how these "little guys" are getting forced to make these changes, but the "big boys" like Florida State are being left alone?

[MrTitleist]

Florida State has been left alone because the Seminole nation has given their blessing to let them leave it be. Same with Utah and the Utes. Illinois was forced to change, as was Louisiana-Monroe.

The thing that bothers me about a lot of this is these colleges have been in existence for over a hundred years, and all of a sudden in our PC driven society where everyone is offended by something or someone or whatever.. it's all of a sudden a big deal. I guess it's the quickest way to your five minutes of fame.

[SuperHornet]

There was a push afoot in the NCAA a few years back to ram these name changes down schools' throats REGARDLESS of the feelings of the local tribes. Another one of those "Big Brother" things, I guess. Finally, though, SOME sort of sanity reigned.

Incidentally, I hadn't heard about Illinois. I wonder what the deal was there.

[MrTitleist]

Illinois was called the "Fighting Illini", which are an indian tribe in Illinois. Evidently they didn't like it. I know that North Dakota and the Sioux are fighting over the name right now, but last I heard nothing had really materialized.

[GeauxColonels]

I don't believe that Illinois is being forced to change the athletic nickname, they just retired the guy in the indian costume (and the indian logo I think). As far as I know, they will continue to be called the Illini.

[GeauxColonels]

Oh yeah, and I believe that Central Michigan (the Chippewas) have the "blessing" of the local tribe as well.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Florida State has been left alone because the Seminole nation has given their blessing to let them leave it be. Same with Utah and the Utes. Illinois was forced to change, as was Louisiana-Monroe.

The thing that bothers me about a lot of this is these colleges have been in existence for over a hundred years, and all of a sudden in our PC driven society where everyone is offended by something or someone or whatever.. it's all of a sudden a big deal. I guess it's the quickest way to your five minutes of fame.

It's like ralph is incharge of the NCAA stuff that was okay for years now isn't unless you're his homeboy. Florida St.=89hen.

[Fresno St. Alum]

God I hope it's not another _____ Hawks like damn near all the teams that change from the Indians

well, it could be Eagles or Bulldogs...

Nothin wrong with the Bulldogs.

[lifesapuntreturn]

Even if some of these schools currently have the approval of whatever tribal hierarchy is necessary, that doesn't mean that can't change down the road. If Florida State, for instance, does something or has something happen on its campus that puts it into disfavor with the powers that be at tribal headquarters, FSU could then become the target of a movement to force them to change their mascot as well. Or even a tribal election where new leaders are elected 3 or 5 or 10 years from now. The point is that the schools that have these mascots will continue to be subject to scrutiny over their mascots and I would guess eventually they will all end up changing their mascots anyway just to remove the pc police from their lives. It'll be a shame if that happens in my view. Once the pc police get done with the "offensive" human-type mascots you can bet PETA will be next to try to get universities to stop "disparaging" animals of any kind by using them as mascots. It won't stop.

I'm of Scandanavian descent so does that mean I'm supposed to be offended by the Viking mascot of both the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL and the Portland State University Vikings of the NCAA? I'm not the least bit offened by either of them or any mascot but maybe I'm supposed to be and just don't know how. I guess I'm missing an opportunity to be outraged, too.

[MrTitleist]

Even if some of these schools currently have the approval of whatever tribal hierarchy is necessary, that doesn't mean that can't change down the road. If Florida State, for instance, does something or has something happen on its campus that puts it into disfavor with the powers that be at tribal headquarters, FSU could then become the target of a movement to force them to change their mascot as well. Or even a tribal election where new leaders are elected 3 or 5 or 10 years from now. The point is that the schools that have these mascots will continue to be subject to scrutiny over their mascots and I would guess eventually they will all end up changing their mascots anyway just to remove the pc police from their lives. It'll be a shame if that happens in my view. Once the pc police get done with the "offensive" human-type mascots you can bet PETA will be next to try to get universities to stop "disparaging" animals of any kind by using them as mascots. It won't stop.

I'm of Scandanavian descent so does that mean I'm supposed to be offended by the Viking mascot of both the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL and the Portland State University Vikings of the NCAA? I'm not the least bit offened by either of them or any mascot but maybe I'm supposed to be and just don't know how. I guess I'm missing an opportunity to be outraged, too.

Didn't Vikings pillage and rape and burn? I'm outraged at such a mascot being used that used to be horrible people. Let's be heard and get rid of the vikings!

The PC police needs to find a new hobby.. PETA too. Their animals are far too tasty to be giving up eating.

[SloStang]

In Arkansas State case this might be a good thing. It is a chance to remake their image.

[Tatanka]

Illinois was called the "Fighting Illini", which are an indian tribe in Illinois. Evidently they didn't like it. I know that North Dakota and the Sioux are fighting over the name right now, but last I heard nothing had really materialized.

Actually, the "Illini" wasn't a tribe, it was a term for a collection of tribes indiginous to the area. The U had to retire Chief Illiniwek, who performed "authentic" dancing rituals at football games and basketball games. Chapped a lot of asses when the decision was made.

As for UND, the battle wages on with the NCAA. They lost their appeal, and decided to sue. The state AG's office is handling the case and billing a private group of the university's sponsors for time and materials. In the interim, a court in Grand Forks issued an injunction allowing UND to host playoff games and use the nickname until the lawsuit is settled. Whatever, as long as I (as a ND taxpayer) don't have to foot the bill.

VERY ironic that the person leading the charge in Arkansas is the former chancellor of the ND board of higher ed. Funny, he didn't do a damn thing about the UND nickname while he was here.

[skinny_uncle]

There was a push afoot in the NCAA a few years back to ram these name changes down schools' throats REGARDLESS of the feelings of the local tribes. Another one of those "Big Brother" things, I guess. Finally, though, SOME sort of sanity reigned.

Incidentally, I hadn't heard about Illinois. I wonder what the deal was there.

\
Big Brother is watching!

[SuperHornet]

God I hope it's not another _____ Hawks like damn near all the teams that change from the Indians

Would you care to justify the trend you cite? The only cases I can find are Stanford's switch from the "Indians" to the "Cardinal" (singular for some strange reason) and St. John's from the "Redmen" to the "Red Storm." I don't know of any other changes.

[Fresno St. Alum]

UL-Monroe Warhawks
Miami (OH) Redhawks
SE Missouri Red Hawks
Seattle Redhawks
UT-Martin Skyhawks (was Pacers)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (was engineers, not an Indian but still went to a hawk)
Marquette Golden Eagles (still a common bird name)
D-II
Northeastern St. Riverhawks
IUP Crimson Hawks
Stonehill Skyhawks
Chowan Hawks

Stanford Cardinal (is for the color cardinal which is like maroon)

[Fresno St. Alum]

I forgot E.Michigan Eagles (another damn common bird)

[lifesapuntreturn]

UL-Monroe Warhawks
Miami (OH) Redhawks
SE Missouri Red Hawks
Seattle Redhawks
UT-Martin Skyhawks (was Pacers)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (was engineers, not an Indian but still went to a hawk)
Marquette Golden Eagles (still a common bird name)
D-II
Northeastern St. Riverhawks
IUP Crimson Hawks
Stonehill Skyhawks
Chowan Hawks

Stanford Cardinal (is for the color cardinal which is like maroon)

...which is why they now have an inebriated tree as their mascot instead of a cardinal/bird.