NCAA D-II Management Council opposes MOIC position

[jimdahl]

American Indian mascots

In other business, the Management Council reacted to a report from the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) regarding American Indian mascots and imagery (see the October 14 issue of The NCAA News).

The Management Council agreed that Division II institutions with American Indian mascots should be required to analyze whether the imagery is offensive as part of their periodic ISSG.

However, it agreed to advise the Presidents Council and Executive Committee that it opposes requiring conferences to review policies regarding competition with institutions using American Indian mascots or nicknames and requiring conferences to complete a self-analysis checklist for conference championship venues and host institutions.

The Management Council also voted to oppose proposals that would require the NCAA to establish criteria for NCAA championships sites and venues that would eliminate the visibility of American Indian mascots, logos and symbols; that would establish criteria for institutions participating in NCAA championship events to ensure adherence to NCAA principles involving student-athlete welfare, cultural diversity, gender equity, sportsmanship and ethical conduct, and nondiscrimination; and would eliminate references to American Indian mascot names, nicknames and logos in NCAA publications and announcements.

The Council also voted to oppose a MOIC position that the decision to award the 2005 Division II Men's Basketball Championship to the University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux) should be rescinded. The Council believes that this position is inconsistent with the position taken by the Association for contracted events during the Confederate flag discussions.

[PCM]

Common sense prevails.