Osceola said he respects the views of the Seminoles in Oklahoma and is aware that American Indians elsewhere take offense at nicknames such as Redskins or Savages (used by Southeastern Oklahoma State). But his tribe and their counterparts in Oklahoma have their own leadership and government. He said FSU has been respectful and receptive to any of his tribe's concerns.
"Florida State has come to us and asked, `Are we doing this right?'" he said.
FSU keeps the tribe involved in numerous campus activities, including homecoming and commencement. School officials go to Seminole reservations to recruit students and Wetherell established scholarships for those students that cover 80 percent of their tuition costs. Four new Seminole students are expected to enroll for classes this fall, joining four others already in school. But the NCAA, cautious not to intrude upon an institution's autonomy, views the matter more globally.
What occurs at an individual campus is one thing.
What occurs at NCAA championship events, "which are very public forums," Westerhaus said, is another.
Since 1994, many schools have changed their nicknames or mascots, including Marquette, St. John's and Miami, Ohio. In the past few years, the American Indian mascot issue has been fueled by the US Commission on Civil Rights stating that schools shouldn't perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people, as well as the NCAA's moratorium on allowing South Carolina or Mississippi to host predetermined NCAA championship events in response to displays of the Confederate battle flag in those states.
In November 2004, 33 NCAA schools were asked to submit a self-evaluation regarding their use of American Indian mascots and imagery. The Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee then passed along recommendations that were discussed Wednesday and Thursday in Indianapolis.
"We obviously find that these hostile or abusive mascots or nicknames are troubling to us as presidents of educational institutions," said Harrison, president of the University of Hartford.
Now, it's FSU fans who are troubled.
"Everybody has put this on the back burner because this hasn't been an issue," said Marshel O'Shields, a member of the Pinellas Seminole Boosters board of directors. "I see it causing big problems with changing nicknames or changing marketing."
FSU's brand is one of the most recognizable in college sports, but it's too early to say how that could be affected. The name doesn't have to change nor does the merchandise, although the NCAA has suggested institutions review their publications and delete any hostile or abusive depictions.
Nevertheless, under the policy, Florida State will not be able to host events such as the NCAA regional baseball tournament it frequently hosts. The Executive Committee also suggested schools follow the lead of Iowa and Wisconsin and not schedule games against schools with Native American nicknames.
"I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned and that this university will forever be associated with the `unconquered' spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida," Wetherell said.
While the Confederate battle flag offers a precedent for the NCAA's defense in a lawsuit, the NCAA hasn't yet defined what makes a particular nickname or symbol "hostile and abusive."
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