EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AMERICAN INDIAN MASCOT INPUT

INDIANAPOLIS----The NCAA Executive Committee in its April 25, 2003 meeting took action to refer input received from the divisional governance structures and NCAA institutions that currently use American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity. The Executive Committee will ask the Subcommittee to forward on an Association-wide recommendation for action on the American Indian mascot issue at its August 2003 meeting.

At its November 2002 meeting, the Executive Committee received a report on the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics from the Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee (MOIC). The Executive Committee referred the report to the divisional governance structures for input that was submitted at today's meeting.

As a result of its November meeting, the Executive Committee also asked that the report be distributed to NCAA institutions that currently use American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos to solicit their input. Of the 31 NCAA institutions currently using American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos, 12 responded to the Executive Committee's request for input. The majority support some type of NCAA directed institutional analysis, while others oppose the institutional analysis recommendations, noting they represent an unreasonable interference by the NCAA on institutional issues.

Over the next few months, the Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity will work to draft a proposal incorporating the input from the divisional governance structures and the institutions affected for review by the Executive Committee at its April 8, 2003, meeting.

"This is a very important issue for the entire Association, and we want to take the proper steps to help ensure the NCAA leadership acts in a responsible manner," said Carol Cartwright, Kent State University president and Executive Committee chair. "As it stands now, we are moving closer to a consensus on a position for the Association on this critical matter."

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