Post by Okwes on Mar 22, 2007 14:43:14 GMT -5
Brand: NCAA stands by nickname ban
By Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY
Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, the NCAA's efforts to restrict the use of American Indian nicknames and mascots referred incorrectly to the status of McMurry University, which has used the nickname of Indians. Although the Texas school had lost an NCAA appeal last August, it has subsequently informed the agency that it intends to change the name and therefore is no longer on the non-compliance list.
ORLANDO — Win or lose a legal fight in North Dakota, NCAA president Myles Brand says the association won't back off its controversial restrictions on schools' use of Native American nicknames and mascots.
A state judge handling the University of North Dakota's challenge has urged the sides to settle in advance of a trial scheduled for Dec. 10.
"There are probably ways to reach mediation," Brand said, "but the NCAA will not be changing its position on this. We'll help and work with the university if they so desire, (though) they have not shown any desire at this point."
The NCAA's top governance board, the Executive Committee, was to be briefed on the progress of the suit during a meeting late Monday that wrapped up the association's annual convention. The panel took no action.
"We'll pursue this case up to an appeal to the state supreme court if it's necessary; we're committed to that," Brand said. "But this court is not considering anything substantive. They're just looking at the procedural issue of the way the NCAA made its decision. … If we win, that's fine. We think we should. But if we lose, we'll just change our procedures. … The measure is not being challenged. So we're not going to even look at that measure. It's in place. It's done."
North Dakota attorney general Wayne Stenehjem filed the suit on behalf of the Grand Forks institution in October, seven months after the NCAA policy took effect and a little more than four months after the school exhausted association appeals to continue using its Fighting Sioux nickname and imagery. North Dakota was one of 20 schools initially ruled in violation of the new guidelines, which bar them from using Native American nicknames, mascots or logos deemed "hostile and abusive" at its championships.
Teams are prohibited from wearing uniforms with Native American references or imagery at NCAA championships, or they must cover up the offending areas. Their schools also are banned from hosting title events.
Four schools — Illinois, Arkansas State and Alcorn State, in addition to North Dakota — remain on the non-compliance list. Bradley is on a five-year watch list. A temporary injunction from North Dakota district judge Lawrence Jahnke, still in effect, allowed North Dakota to play a first-round Division I-AA football playoff game at home in November.
Practice players
The NCAA continues to struggle with the issue of women's teams, primarily in basketball, working against male practice players. The Committee on Women's Athletics has called for an end to the practice, maintaining it cuts into women's opportunities, but the first attempt at a formal vote fizzled Monday. D-III schools handed a proposal to limit the use of male practice players back to the Management Council for further study. D-I and II are yet to weigh in, though D-I vice president David Berst said "some kind of legislation" is expected this summer.
Foreign affairs
The Executive Committee opened the door for the first time Monday to NCAA membership for "a select number" of Canadian schools. Creation of the 10-year pilot program came in response to interest from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and smaller St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Still needed in Division I or II, where the schools would be most likely to land: a change in rules limiting membership to institutions "located in the United States, its territories or possessions."
By Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY
Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, the NCAA's efforts to restrict the use of American Indian nicknames and mascots referred incorrectly to the status of McMurry University, which has used the nickname of Indians. Although the Texas school had lost an NCAA appeal last August, it has subsequently informed the agency that it intends to change the name and therefore is no longer on the non-compliance list.
ORLANDO — Win or lose a legal fight in North Dakota, NCAA president Myles Brand says the association won't back off its controversial restrictions on schools' use of Native American nicknames and mascots.
A state judge handling the University of North Dakota's challenge has urged the sides to settle in advance of a trial scheduled for Dec. 10.
"There are probably ways to reach mediation," Brand said, "but the NCAA will not be changing its position on this. We'll help and work with the university if they so desire, (though) they have not shown any desire at this point."
The NCAA's top governance board, the Executive Committee, was to be briefed on the progress of the suit during a meeting late Monday that wrapped up the association's annual convention. The panel took no action.
"We'll pursue this case up to an appeal to the state supreme court if it's necessary; we're committed to that," Brand said. "But this court is not considering anything substantive. They're just looking at the procedural issue of the way the NCAA made its decision. … If we win, that's fine. We think we should. But if we lose, we'll just change our procedures. … The measure is not being challenged. So we're not going to even look at that measure. It's in place. It's done."
North Dakota attorney general Wayne Stenehjem filed the suit on behalf of the Grand Forks institution in October, seven months after the NCAA policy took effect and a little more than four months after the school exhausted association appeals to continue using its Fighting Sioux nickname and imagery. North Dakota was one of 20 schools initially ruled in violation of the new guidelines, which bar them from using Native American nicknames, mascots or logos deemed "hostile and abusive" at its championships.
Teams are prohibited from wearing uniforms with Native American references or imagery at NCAA championships, or they must cover up the offending areas. Their schools also are banned from hosting title events.
Four schools — Illinois, Arkansas State and Alcorn State, in addition to North Dakota — remain on the non-compliance list. Bradley is on a five-year watch list. A temporary injunction from North Dakota district judge Lawrence Jahnke, still in effect, allowed North Dakota to play a first-round Division I-AA football playoff game at home in November.
Practice players
The NCAA continues to struggle with the issue of women's teams, primarily in basketball, working against male practice players. The Committee on Women's Athletics has called for an end to the practice, maintaining it cuts into women's opportunities, but the first attempt at a formal vote fizzled Monday. D-III schools handed a proposal to limit the use of male practice players back to the Management Council for further study. D-I and II are yet to weigh in, though D-I vice president David Berst said "some kind of legislation" is expected this summer.
Foreign affairs
The Executive Committee opened the door for the first time Monday to NCAA membership for "a select number" of Canadian schools. Creation of the 10-year pilot program came in response to interest from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and smaller St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Still needed in Division I or II, where the schools would be most likely to land: a change in rules limiting membership to institutions "located in the United States, its territories or possessions."