RedSeaElite1
New member
I'm not sure if any of the members on here are well connected or not, but I keep hearing talk that we will have to drop the "Braves" mascot/nickname because of the NCAA. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
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Mascot Change?
- Thread starter RedSeaElite1
- Start date
Students start this rumor regularly. Don't pay it any credence unless you start seeing legitimate sources behind it. The most recent student body president has been credited with 'stirring the pot' to try to get a mascot/name change. There was absolutely no foundation to those rumors, and I assume these are very similar.
The NCAA, after years of harassing schools that had nicknames or logos that used Native American connotations or imagery, finally reached a resoultion in Bradley's case in April, 2006. So the nickname Braves is no longer under scruitiny by the NCAA, as long as Bradley doesn't try to revive the Native American imagery.
Here is a link to a post on Bradleyfans.com that has the information about it- note that the link doesn't work anymore, but there is a copy of the text of the NCAA decision-
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=4806#post4806
Here is the release from April 28, 2006-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2006
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA Executive Committee today
retained the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of
North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the list
of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of
Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA
championships.
The Executive Committee also removed Bradley University from
the list of schools subject to restrictions and placed the
institution on a five-year watch list.
In denying the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of
North Dakota, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania appeals,
the Executive Committee concluded that Native American
references used by each university create hostile or abusive
environments inconsistent with the NCAA constitution and
inconsistent with the NCAA commitment to diversity, respect
and sportsmanship.
Today's decision means the University of Illinois, Champaign, the
University of North Dakota and Indiana University of
Pennsylvania will only be invited to participate in NCAA
championships if they elect to do so without Native American
references on their uniforms and associated athletic program
activities. It also means these institutions will not be allowed to
host NCAA championship events.
Bradley University previously removed all Native American
imagery associated with its athletics programs and only kept the
generic nickname "Braves"?? Based on information contained in
Bradley's appeal, the Executive Committee found Bradley
demonstrated its ability to provide an environment that is not
hostile or abusive and one that is consistent with the NCAA
constitution and commitment to diversity, respect and
sportsmanship. Bradley will be placed on a watch list for five
years, during which time the NCAA will work with the school to
assure that circumstances do not change. Bradley is allowed to
fully participate in and host NCAA championships without
restrictions.
In November, 2005, the NCAA removed championship restrictions
on the University of Illinois, Champaign's use of its nicknames
"Illini"?? and "Fighting Illini"?? because the university demonstrated
the nicknames were not a direct Native American reference, but
a reference to the state of Illinois.
Over the last eight months, four institutions have been removed
from the list because they have received approval from specific
Native American "namesake"?? tribes for use of their names; six
have remained on the list with one appeal pending; five
institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their
nicknames; three are pending NCAA staff review and one has
now been put on a watch list.
Here is a link to a post on Bradleyfans.com that has the information about it- note that the link doesn't work anymore, but there is a copy of the text of the NCAA decision-
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=4806#post4806
Here is the release from April 28, 2006-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2006
Contact
Bob Williams
Managing Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117
INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA Executive Committee today
retained the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of
North Dakota and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on the list
of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of
Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA
championships.
The Executive Committee also removed Bradley University from
the list of schools subject to restrictions and placed the
institution on a five-year watch list.
In denying the University of Illinois, Champaign, the University of
North Dakota, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania appeals,
the Executive Committee concluded that Native American
references used by each university create hostile or abusive
environments inconsistent with the NCAA constitution and
inconsistent with the NCAA commitment to diversity, respect
and sportsmanship.
Today's decision means the University of Illinois, Champaign, the
University of North Dakota and Indiana University of
Pennsylvania will only be invited to participate in NCAA
championships if they elect to do so without Native American
references on their uniforms and associated athletic program
activities. It also means these institutions will not be allowed to
host NCAA championship events.
Bradley University previously removed all Native American
imagery associated with its athletics programs and only kept the
generic nickname "Braves"?? Based on information contained in
Bradley's appeal, the Executive Committee found Bradley
demonstrated its ability to provide an environment that is not
hostile or abusive and one that is consistent with the NCAA
constitution and commitment to diversity, respect and
sportsmanship. Bradley will be placed on a watch list for five
years, during which time the NCAA will work with the school to
assure that circumstances do not change. Bradley is allowed to
fully participate in and host NCAA championships without
restrictions.
In November, 2005, the NCAA removed championship restrictions
on the University of Illinois, Champaign's use of its nicknames
"Illini"?? and "Fighting Illini"?? because the university demonstrated
the nicknames were not a direct Native American reference, but
a reference to the state of Illinois.
Over the last eight months, four institutions have been removed
from the list because they have received approval from specific
Native American "namesake"?? tribes for use of their names; six
have remained on the list with one appeal pending; five
institutions have changed or are in the process of changing their
nicknames; three are pending NCAA staff review and one has
now been put on a watch list.
RedSeaElite1
New member
Nah George it was a new source, from an Alumni not a current student.
Thanks Coach, Thats what i figured, as long as we did something like the chiefs did i thought we could keep the "Braves" nickname, which is why i supported the most recent student bodys plans to add a "Face" to the braves.
squirrelgotdead
New member
No decisions have been made. For now, Bradley is the Braves with a generic logo.
However, I do believe while we likely continue to retain the name "Braves" a new mascot and logo are inevitable.
While Bradley has been granted a pass by the NCAA, it is really no different than the approval granted when we went to our current logo in 1993.
Furthermore, in December, the New York Times ran an article on the mascot issue and launched a portal online with a slideshow of the various logos and mascots that have been used. And a graphic Bradley has not used in nearly two decades was run in the press and online without the due diligence of noting it was no longer in use since before 1993, or correction after being pressed to by Bradley Administrators. The reason we were used is simply from the list of problem schools, alphabetically, we were first.
So, even though we are OK with the NCAA, they will often forget and unless we do something significantly different than what we've done, we will continually be brought up in the media and in regards to this issue.
The administration as I understand, wants that to stop forever.
I do think the mascot/logo change can occur without sacrificing the team name Braves.
So I do think change is inevitable. But that will not happen until after the University works out its overall branding strategy over the course of the next year or two.
I guess I should clear up my opinion on this. I do think we will get a new logo, but to me that's not a 'Mascot Change.' Logos are constantly refreshed and I don't think the change will have anything to do with the NCAA or pressure from them, but more marketing and BU paraphernalia sales.
I think if we go the way of the Peoria Chiefs and adopt an alternative (revisionist?) mascot tied to the word rather than the tradition in the name Braves then I think we ought to at least consider an entirely new Nickname/mascot at that time to maximize program marketability. In case my position is unclear I like the name Braves but will feel somehow cheap if we dress up a guy like the Scots in Braveheart and call him a Brave... And would as soon come up with something entirely new.
Future Walk-On
New member
Wouldn't the Scots complain about our depiction of a Scot?
RedSeaElite1
New member
yeah i can understand that. I was thinking something like a Lion might be cool because other than an indian the next thing i consider brave to be is a lion, but thats just my opinoin.
Always thought that would be a logical choice, too... not my favorite... but would make sense.
MacabreMob
New member
Can we just get this over with and change logo, mascot, and nickname to a squirrel.... and so I can pledge my allegiance to ISU sooner than later.
Future Walk-On
New member
Why don't we all just be happy with what we have.
Probably because Dr. Cross and teh administration want to better market the athletics program? And feel an image, a mascot, etc woul dhelp?
Just a guess...
Future Walk-On
New member
I don't really see how much it is going to improve by throwing in a lion....
I don't think this topic is worth 4 threads a month either!
I think they probably wouldn't. Also, the NCAA has proven they don't care by allowing San Diego State to go on being the aztecs with whatever imagery they want because those aren't native Americans from America so they don't count.
squirrelgotdead
New member
Don't look at from the standpoint of a gimmick. The issue is not what we are doing. The issue is what are perceived as doing.
Unless we do something that changes what the typical perception of our stance on the issue is-even though we are in the clear-we will repeatedly be dragged through the mud.
The simple fact that there are those in our own fan base who are unclear as to where the University stands on the issue, means we can not reasonably expect anyone outside to know we are in the clear when every time the issue is brought up, Bradley is paraded out in front with everyone else.
The simplest solution is the best solution. Add a mascot. I really don't even care what it is anymore. If we had done it properly 3, 5, 10, or 15+ years ago, it could have stopped.
Instead we get deferral after deferral (you do have to throw in one half-ass attempt with the Bobcat) and we get repeated bad press because we do not properly add a mascot and move on.
It's not really changing anything, but rather making a smart, well thought out addition that gives us a much more positive public image.
What about Wake Forest Demon Deacons or Notre Dame Fighting Irish?