Former NCAA Native American Mascot Teams That Have Changed For The Better (...Or Worst)

Surely, majority of you know of the re-emergence of the rally to have the Washington Redskins change from their long standing native american moniker, 'the redskins.'

This long, ongoing process (really debate) isn't new in the sports world. For decades teams have been some variance of native american mascot and as time as gone by, our society and culture changed to the point that many went from not caring and rooting for these teams to demanding they get rid of their nicknames. The NCAA and many of it's members are really where this has been hit.

For this addition of the RamlinArkansan blog, I'm going to address all those SELECT collegiate teams, what they formerly were and changed to, and my overall thoughts.

Stanford Cardinal:

Previously Known As: Indians (1940-1972)

For over four decades, Standford University was represented by that fiesty little fellow up above. But starting in the 70s onward really began seeing the tide turn from apathy about Native American mascots to somewhat resentment. After much protest from many Stanford students, the universty president finally retired 'Indians' after the 72 season. For eight years, it appeared the school would just be another generic "Cardinals" until then university president Donald Kennedy decided the school just be called 'Cardinal', as in the singular form describing the university's primary color.

CHANGE GRADE: A+ (Very solid change for the better of Stanford).

Technically, Stanford has never formally declared the 'Tree' as the university's official mascot-it's more of student/school spirit character. However, their's no denying when you see that crazy, cracked out Christmas tree (really a Sequoia tree but eh...) practically everyone knows he's the "Stanford Tree."

FUN FACT!!:

The student body in fact voted in the early 80s to have the "Red Barons" become the school's new mascot. However, many alumni hated the name finding it "silly" and it was ultimately rejected by the board of trustees. Interestingly, during the university wide vote, their was a movement to bring back the name "Indians" but it was overwhelmingly shot down by the students-also, the name 'Cardinal' was in fact an option to vote on-it came in 4th place.

DARTMOUTH BIG GREEN:

PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS: 'Indians' (1920s-early 1970s)

Another 'Indians' (of many) on this, Dartmouth's origin story for it's usage of the name Indians goes back to it's humble beginnings: according to its wikipedia page (for the record I know it's not the most USEFUL of sources but sue me): "It is often pointed out that the charter of Dartmouth College, granted to Eleazar Wheelock in 1769, proclaims that the institution was created "for the education and instruction of Youth of the Indian Tribes in this Land in reading, writing and all parts of Learning ... as well as in all liberal Arts and Sciences; and also of English Youth and any others." Of course, if you continued to read hardly ANY native Americans graduated from Dartmouth, but oh well! Much like Stanford, by the 70s the name began catching serious slack and it was ultimately dropped by University officials. 

Dartmouth had always been known as "The Big Green" (Which is named by the enormous commons area in the center of its campus that has a lot of green grass...figures). However, for decades no mascot was ever actually decided on. In 2003, the student government proposed a vote to finally decide on a new mascot-the students were so underwhelmed by their choices that winner of the vote was "No Mascot". 

That's when this fellow comes into the picture...

 Meet Keggy the Keg.

Keggy was the invention of a local humor magazine published at the university that was originally meant to be a partial joke and an attempt to pressure the Student Government Association to create better and more unique mascot choices.

....For some reason that never occurred and despite initial controversy and a couple of kidnappings of the suit, Keggy has become a unofficial yet universal figure head mascot for the Big Green athletics.

Change Grade: ??? Though I'm not sure if Keggy will turn into a lasting change like Stanford to the Cardinal/Stanford Tree, but you gotta admire their sense of humor at Dartmouth.

Marquette Golden Eagles:

Previously Known as: Warriors (...kinda sorta. )

Simply put, Marquette has quite a complicated mascot/nickname history. Because of that (and also I'm not in the mood to paraphrase at the moment) here's the bit from their Wikipedia page:

"Marquette's intercollegiate athletic teams were the "Warriors" from May 1954 to July 1994 when the nickname was changed to the "Golden Eagles", on the grounds that previous logos had been disrespectful to Native Americans. Prior to 1962 Marquette football was known as "Golden Avalanche" and other teams were known as "Warriors," "Blue and Gold," and "Hilltoppers".^[63] The Marquette Warriors (the nickname that preceded Golden Eagles) won the NCAA basketball championship in 1977.^[64] In 2004, Marquette began to consider changing the name back to Warriors, but instead the Board of Trustees changed the nickname to simply "Gold". An intensely negative reaction by students, faculty, alumni, and fans led to yet another series of votes, which eventually pitted "Golden Eagles" against "Hilltoppers". Respondents were told in advance that write-in votes for "Warriors" would not be tabulated, although those results were later released, and "Golden Eagles" was restored in June 2005."

Change Grade: C+. Glad to see they got everything sorted out and they're sticking by their cartoon birdy. Next!

Eastern Michigan Eagles:

(...wth??)

Previously Known As: Hurons (1929-mid 80s)

...wow.... um....ok Eastern.

The name "Hurons" was adopted in 1929 and was the beloved name for the athletic department at EMU for nearly 60 years until the University began worrying about its name and possibly being a racial slur/stereotype. After an internal review, EMU board of regents voted to retire the Hurons name and adopt "Eagles" as recommended by an outside committee selected to suggest a new mascot name. 

Many alumni and fans of the school withdrew financial support and to this day their is actually two separate alumni associations, one in support of the eagles and one that's staunchly wanting the name "Hurons" to be returned. (the picture above is just one of many logos they currently use).

Change Grade: F. You'll find many sites where EMU fans and even some officials claim 'Hurons' is supported by certain tribes-many more also argue that 'Hurons' can be turned around in a way that Illinois kept their name, "Illini" and drop the Native American aspect of the mascot. The one argument that can't be made is the name 'Eagles' is dull, not creative and I can't help but feel that Dr. Suess played a hand in the drawing of their logo.

University of Miami (OH) Redhawks: 

Previously Known as: Redskins (1929-1997)

Prior to the nickname 'Redskins', the athletic squads at Miami were referred to as Miami Boys, Big Reds, Reds, and Red & Whites until the athletic director made it permanently Red Skins for nearly 70 years.

Interestingly, the school for a long time had the support of a particular Miami Tribe located in Oklahoma suddenly withdrew their support in 1997. The university quickly rid themselves of the name Redskins and then name Redhawks was voted as the university's new mascot.

Change Grade: B. Kind of lame considering I'm pretty sure 'redhawks' is not an actual species, but the logo is pretty solid.

St. John's Red Storm

Previously Known As: Redmen (1960s-1994)

Interestingly, St. John's originally called themselves "redman/redmen" for the fact of the team wearing red jerseys and uniforms. However, sometime in the '60s the term was developed into a Native American image and the university soon adopted the interpretation as its mascot until 1994, when mounting pressure led St John's officials to change the team name to its current moniker, the Red Storm.

Change Grade: D. It's pretty lame name, and the logo just screams minor league team all over it.

Louisiana-Monroe Warhwks

Previously Known As: "Indians" 

ULM has had quite a bit of change in the last 20 some-odd years-the university changed it's name from "Northeast Louisiana University" to its current incarnation and in 2006, the University President announced that because of the NCAA restrictions the NCAA set that year, virtually banning all logos with Native American imagery as well bans on hosting post season tournaments and appearances in the post well as well, ULM would be retiring their name. After letting the public submit various suggestions, a panel limited it down to 12 sections and from there was narrowed to three possibilities: "Bayou Gators, Bayou Hawks and Warhawks." The University President had the ultimate decision and he selected Warhawks.

Change Grade: B+. I remember I initially scoffed at the name, however after hearing the other two possibilties figured "...eh...could be worse." Nearly 8 years later, I actually think the name is pretty solid-the warhawk still looks like it just woke up/strung out from a kegger-but its been a good change for the school.

...But why make a film of your Mascot (Ace the Warhawk) robbing a register and then getting arrested?

North Dakota: ???

Previously Known As: Fighting Sioux

One of the last and longest holdout of all NCAA schools, the University of North Dakota were the Dan Snyder of college football, refusing to budge at removing the nickname despite NCAA crackdown, which included ban from the FCS playoffs, basketball tournaments and more postseason play. North Dakota even sued the NCAA-both parties reached an agreement: If UND could find a tribe to endorse their name, the NCAA would allow the university to keep their namesake. If not, the school would retire the name 'Fighting Sioux.' Ultimately, no support was found, yet many legislature, alumni and others continued their legal fight to keep the name but in June 2012, the state board of higher education offically voted to rid the university of the name.

Change Grade: (N/A). Due to an odd ruling, the North Dakota legislature prohibited the University from selected a new nickname and are barred from doing so until at least 2015. (Apparently to allow time for angered fans and individuals to 'cool off'). Currently, UND officials have not stated or released a timetable as to when a name might be selected.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Previously Known As: Indians

I could literally write an ENTIRE BLOG of the history and name changing process that occured at Arkansas State (I was there for it!). But to try to sum up the basics, the university originally had Jumpin Joe (the guy on the left) as it's helmet decal and the 'stAte' logo as the offical university logo for a long time. In the 80s, they dropped Joe for the stAte logo. However, in 1996 they switched to what fans referred to as the "headress logo" (on the right) and was the primary university decal for nearly 10 years. When the NCAA imposed its native american restrictions, ASU dropped the headdress logo and went back to the stAte logo yet again. They slowly and methodically removed all native american imagery throughout their athletic department, yet kept the "Indian Family" (which were three students chosen to portray Chief Big Track, the Indian Princess and the Indian Warrior). The University tried in vain to find a tribe to endorse the name 'Indians', but the search proved fruitless. Finally, in 2007 the university announced the name Indians would be retired following the conclusion of the 2007-2008 athletic year. 

Similar to ULM, a website was selected for the public to suggest any names in the search-however, unlike ULM the university wouldn't allow a public vote for the name, instead relying solely on selected indivuals that would form a mascot search committee, and the chancellor ultimately making the final decision. Despite the initial outrage by this, the majority of public suggested "Wolves"-which was what the committee recommended to the Chancellor. Many (like myself) strongly supported 'Red Wolves' and the chancellor chose this as well.

Change Grade: A. Call me biased, but their's no denying this change was a huge boost for the program. It gave people an opportunity to get involved in the new identity of the athletic program, which in turn made new fans for ASU. A recent article by Talkbuisness.net revealed that "By percentage increase in sales, Arkansas State is 7th in the country for merchandise sales over the past five years." (You can read the full story here http://talkbusiness.net/2014/03/asu-mascot-offers-branding-lesson-ages/ ).

Their are a few more universities that changed their mascots as well, and here's a brief breakdown of those:

- Siena – Indians to Saints (1988)

- Seattle University – Chieftains to Redhawks (2000)

- Illinois – Removed Chief Illiniwek as official mascot in 2007. Athletics teams are still called Fighting Illini.

- Bradley and Alcorn State – Both schools stopped using Native American mascot but have retained their Braves nickname.

- William and Mary – Adjusted Tribe logo to remove feathers to comply with NCAA. Athletics teams are still called Tribe. (2007)

As of this post, only Florida State, Central Michigan, Mississippi College and Utah all appealed and won to the NCAA due to their friendly relationship and support of local tribes.