Logo committee begins NCAA review

By Scott Ammons
Senior Staff Writer

As the NCAA prepares to deliberate the fate of Native American nicknames and mascots for 30 of the 1,200 universities under its jurisdiction, UNCP students, faculty, staff and the Lumbee community rally to protect their symbols of pride, honor and heritage.

Chancellor Allen C. Meadors is standing his ground and showing his support on this issue. He formed a seven-person committee, with three advisers, to investigate and address the NCAA's concerns. Dr. Zoe Locklear, interim dean of the University's School of Education and a member of the Lumbee tribe, will chair the committee. Working with her are:

• Dr. Linda E. Oxendine, professor and chair of American Indian Studies and Lumbee tribe member.

• Dr. Thomas A. Dooling, associate professor of Chemistry and Physics, former chair of the faculty senate, chair of the faculty governance committee. • Abdul Ghaffar, director of student activities.

• Michael J. DeCinti, instructor in Mass Communications.

• Amber Rach, director of University Communica-tions of University and Community Relations.

• Bruce Barton, founder of The Carolina Indian Voice, the Braves Club and former student.

Advisers to the committee are:

• Donna Payne, University counsel and assistant to the Chancellor for executive affairs.

• Dr. Suellen Cabe, director of Institutional Research and Planning.

• Dan Kenney, UNCP director of athletics.

The committee met Feb. 14 to begin preparation for the school's formal response to the NCAA's Institutional Self Evaluation form, which examines the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos by colleges and universities that fall under their jurisdiction.

In order to justify the school's continued use of the ‘brave’ logo and nickname, the committee must prove that UNCP is adhering to NCAA guidelines. Jokingly, Barton told the committee, “If the name fits, you must acquit.”

The logo and nickname issue is a boomerang for UNCP. In 2002, UNCP was identified by the NCAA as having a mascot or logo that could be controversial, 11 years after former Chancellor Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine changed the UNCP mascot from an Indian Brave to a red-hawk named Tommy, without any prompting from the NCAA.

He commissioned Lumbee artist Gloria Lowery to design the new logo and the students named the mascot. Dr. Locklear recommended that Dr. Oxendine be invited to share his thoughts with the committee on the logo and nickname issue.

Dr. Linda Oxendine told the committee, “It is important that we as committee keep in mind that the NCAA should be applauded for their efforts to curtail the use of Native American logos and mascots.”

The committee will present their findings to the Board of Trustees at their April meeting for review and approval. The university received the letter from the NCAA in November 2004 and has until May 1, 2005, to file its response with the NCAA’s executive committee.

This summer the executive committee meets to discuss each school's response on a case-by-case basis.

The Minorities Opportunities Interest Committee (MOIC) of the NCAA is responsible for bringing this issue to the forefront. The MOIC is a 15 member panel with six representatives from Division 1, three from Division 2 and three from Division 3 schools and three student athletes. According to the NCAA, “This committee shall review issues related to the interests of ethnic minority student-athletes, NCAA minority programs and NCAA policies that affect ethnic minorities.”

Article 2.2.2 on Cultural Diversity and Gender Equity of the NCAA Constitution states, “It is the responsibility of each member institution to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among its student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics department staff.”

Kenney said he believes this is more of an emotional issue than a logical one. He said, “We are the most qualified university in America to deal with this issue. The NCAA is using a ‘cookie cutter mentality’; what’s good for one is good for all.” Kenney went onto say, "No other university in America has eight buildings named after Native Americans.” However, Kenney said he “feels confident” that the NCAA will come to the same conclusion that the university and the community came to over six decades ago, when the Native Americans for which UNCP was founded gave themselves the nickname.

The decision by the NCAA to review UNCP's nickname and logo because of racial and ethnic concerns is being viewed by some as ridiculous. In a prepared statement Carol Hunt said, “I get so frustrated at folks telling us (Native Americans) what we need and don't need. We as Native Americans don't have much as it stands, tell the NCAA to stop trying to take what we have and take care of themselves. It doesn't offend us, leave it be.”

Dr. Oxendine echoed Hunt's statement. She said, “We’re not broken, so we don't need fixing.” Although Dr. Oxendine said she does believe the use of Native American names and logos for sporting teams is offensive, dehumanizing and exploits who a person is, she also said she believes UNCP is an exception to the rule; it's an important reminder to the history of this institution and the community it serves. “We (the university) are not using the ‘braves’ nickname or logo in a vacuum; it's who we are and what we represent,” Dr. Oxendine said.

When asked if she thought UNCP's mascot’s name Tommy Hawk was offensive, she said, “Indians have a sense of humor. It adds a little bit of levity to all the other programs on campus.”

Of the 30 schools currently using American Indian mascots or nicknames, four others use a brave: Alcorn State Univ., Bradley Univ., Chowan College, Husson College.