The Pine Needle

By Ariel Houchens
Senior Staff Writer

UNCP could be facing some expensive changes if the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) continues to battle the university’s “Braves” name and logo.

The campus is saturated with “Braves” paraphernalia and if the NCAA wins, the university will be faced with the pricey task of making the logo disappear. The controversial ‘Braves’ logo is represented throughtout campus. (Photo by Ariel Houchens)

Dr. Zoe Locklear, chair of the NCAA steering committee, said she is optimistic about the NCAA review.

Still, Locklear acknowledges that the potential exists for the NCAA to put their foot down and say, “What we require of one school, we require of all.”

The NCAA is currently reviewing 30 universities with Native American nicknames and mascots.

UNCP is a unique situation, Locklear said, because the university comes from a Native American background and the community has rallied to support the “Braves” logo.

Locklear said the university is very much in the thick of things right now and she cannot really predict what the NCAA’s reaction will be.

The possibility exists that UNCP will have to phase out the current “Braves” logo, Locklear said.

If the logo would get the boot, it would be a costly transition.

“You’re talking time and you’re also talking real dollars,” Locklear said.

Neil Hawk, vice chancellor for business affairs, said changing the logo would be comparable to changes the university had to make nearly 10 years ago.

The school changed its name in 1996 from Pembroke State University to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The changes made were costly, Hawk said. This UNCP mug is one of several items that display the ‘Braves’ logo. (Photo by Ariel Houchens)

Dan Kenny, athletic director, said he is hopeful that no changes will have to be made.

“There is no indication that we’ll have to change our logo or name,” Kenny said.

Despite his optimism, Kenny admits the possibility has not been ruled out.

If the university was required to do away with the current logo it would be costly and time consuming, Kenny said.

“If we had to change all the uniforms at one time, that would be a daunting task,” Kenny said.

According to Kenny, the cost of uniforms for an athletic team runs anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 and varies depending on the size of the team and the quality of the uniforms.