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Braves name change?
- Thread starter GoBU!
- Start date
For those who are young enough, here is a little history that is documented elsewhere in past Bradleyfans.com topics-
Bradley used to have an Indian mascot for many years. The appearance of the Bradley Brave changed over the years from a Brave, to a Chief with headdress, and even a papoose. When I was a student in the 1970's, a student dressed up in Indian war paint, Indian garb, and a headdress, and danced around the side court and did a halftime dance very similar to Chief Illiniwek at University of Illinois. Later, the mascot changed to an obscenely insulting and goofy Indian caricature named Brad E. Lee. That only lasted a year or two. Then gradually, Bradley de-emphasized the Native American imagery, and eventually dropped it completely.
Here are some of the old mascots-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...590#post431590
And here was Brad E. Lee who was retired in 1987-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...601#post431601
Bradley went through a battle in the early 2000's with the NCAA over the Braves name. Many colleges and universities that had names with Native American connotations had to change their names. Bradley was one of the schools that was told by the NCAA that they must change their name-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sports-forums/basketball-fan-talk/548-ncaa-announces-bradley-university-not-use-the-name-braves#post548
After appealing, the NCAA finally backed off and allowed the name Braves to remain as long as Bradley eliminated all references and imagery related to Native Americans. Here was the text of the final decision in April, 2006-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...296#post249296
So it appeared the controversy was over. But then the new, politically correct administration took over (Glasser & Cross) and they started a new campaign to change the Bradley name after Bradley had already won the name battle with the NCAA.
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...scot#post21816
The Bradley administration had every intention of proceeding with the name change, and even requested fans and alumni submit suggestions for a new name and mascot. They also hired a firm to design a new logo.
As expected, fans were irate. Bradley backed off the name change temporarily and surveyed fans and donors and asked what they thought. Overwhelmingly, the fans and donors were opposed to a name change, and the majority of donors said they would reduce or stop their donations if Bradley proceeded, The results of the survey finally persuaded them to keep the Braves name, but they proceeded with the new mascot and logo. That lead to the current Kaboom mascot and the "B" inside a shield logo.
So in response to GoBU!'s post, I do think there will come a day that Bradley may have to change the Braves name. But I don't see it happening real soon. There are a lot more offensive names that will likely come first. In addition to the Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, there are names like the Florida State Seminoles, William and Mary Tribe, Utah Utes, Central Michigan Chippewas, etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...genous_peoples
And, there are over 400 high schools in the country with the nickname "Indians", and hundreds more with nicknames like Chiefs, Braves, Warriors, Redskins, Apaches, Aztecs, Blackhawks, Cherokees, Redmen, Red Raiders, Savages, and many other far more offensive names.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...genous_peoples
Bradley used to have an Indian mascot for many years. The appearance of the Bradley Brave changed over the years from a Brave, to a Chief with headdress, and even a papoose. When I was a student in the 1970's, a student dressed up in Indian war paint, Indian garb, and a headdress, and danced around the side court and did a halftime dance very similar to Chief Illiniwek at University of Illinois. Later, the mascot changed to an obscenely insulting and goofy Indian caricature named Brad E. Lee. That only lasted a year or two. Then gradually, Bradley de-emphasized the Native American imagery, and eventually dropped it completely.
Here are some of the old mascots-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...590#post431590
And here was Brad E. Lee who was retired in 1987-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...601#post431601
Bradley went through a battle in the early 2000's with the NCAA over the Braves name. Many colleges and universities that had names with Native American connotations had to change their names. Bradley was one of the schools that was told by the NCAA that they must change their name-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sports-forums/basketball-fan-talk/548-ncaa-announces-bradley-university-not-use-the-name-braves#post548
After appealing, the NCAA finally backed off and allowed the name Braves to remain as long as Bradley eliminated all references and imagery related to Native Americans. Here was the text of the final decision in April, 2006-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...296#post249296
So it appeared the controversy was over. But then the new, politically correct administration took over (Glasser & Cross) and they started a new campaign to change the Bradley name after Bradley had already won the name battle with the NCAA.
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...scot#post21816
The Bradley administration had every intention of proceeding with the name change, and even requested fans and alumni submit suggestions for a new name and mascot. They also hired a firm to design a new logo.
As expected, fans were irate. Bradley backed off the name change temporarily and surveyed fans and donors and asked what they thought. Overwhelmingly, the fans and donors were opposed to a name change, and the majority of donors said they would reduce or stop their donations if Bradley proceeded, The results of the survey finally persuaded them to keep the Braves name, but they proceeded with the new mascot and logo. That lead to the current Kaboom mascot and the "B" inside a shield logo.
So in response to GoBU!'s post, I do think there will come a day that Bradley may have to change the Braves name. But I don't see it happening real soon. There are a lot more offensive names that will likely come first. In addition to the Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, there are names like the Florida State Seminoles, William and Mary Tribe, Utah Utes, Central Michigan Chippewas, etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...genous_peoples
And, there are over 400 high schools in the country with the nickname "Indians", and hundreds more with nicknames like Chiefs, Braves, Warriors, Redskins, Apaches, Aztecs, Blackhawks, Cherokees, Redmen, Red Raiders, Savages, and many other far more offensive names.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...genous_peoples
That was the most popular suggestion in 2012 when the Glasser/Cross administration tried to change the name, but as I noted above, they backed off when most donors threatened to pull donations. So the Braves name was never changed.
GoBU!
New member
Thanks Da Coach! Great info and history on the team name. I think I agree with your conclusion that we will eventually have to change the name and that there are many more names that will come under the crosshairs before ours. You just never now how much momentum societal change like this will have once it gets rolling. Maybe it dies down after Washington, Cleveland change... or maybe it picks up steam. We shall see
bradleyfan124
Active member
I personally think alot of Indian names ( not all ) are a sign of strength, warriors, fighting men. Had an idea one time several years ago when the NCAA was throwing their weight around that a Bradley student who was Native American decided to come to the games dressed up in his native attire and dance around in honor of the basketball team. I would love to have seen the NCAA tell him he could not do that
LongTimeFan
Active member
Personally, I would not like Fighting Squirrels ... too many jokes.
algotrader
New member
I'm sure it will be brought up. But I don't think it will get much traction. We've removed any and all references to cultural stereotypes. The Atlanta Braves have come out and said they won't be changing their name. Although I could see them getting rid of the tomahawk. Regardless, the term "Brave" can be referred to as something other than a reference to native americans. Brave is an adjective you can apply to anyone. Indian or Redskin, not so much.
I think we'll be fine. The Redskins are totally hosed though.
I think we'll be fine. The Redskins are totally hosed though.
Tommy
Well-known member
Yet the same folks who have a problem with these type of monikers are the first to point out to us that the correct term is Native American and not Indian since this was not the West Indies. Never mind the fact they still use the term 'American' in 'Native American', which comes from Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer.
No matter what changes are made, it'll never be enough for the people that worry about things like this. If this is the biggest issue they have to worry about, then I would suggest they're not focused on the biggest problems of society. Go help the poor, homeless, and the helpless and stop worrying about controlling other people's first amendment rights. Or better yet, mind yo own business cause I'm sure we've all got our own issues that could use some work.
Just my two cents.
Bradley3342
New member
Ditto Tommy! Well said
LongTimeFan
Active member
Tommy, it is amazing how they overlook our poor, our homeless, our disabled veterans, and/or even helping the tribes that are not affiliated with the casinos.
Tommy
Well-known member
Amen, brother!