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Column: Haskell football coach against Indian mascots
Friday, September 9, 2005

"Haskell Indian Nations University doesn’t belong to the NCAA. HINU is a member of the NAIA, which hasn’t taken a stand about Indian nicknames. Not that Haskell would be affected if the NAIA did act. Nobody is going to tell Haskell to drop its nickname of the Fightin’ Indians. Or as Eric Brock, HINU’s football coach, told me: 'We’re all Indians, so that’s OK.'

Like most Native Americans, Brock is proud of his heritage. At the same time, he is outspoken about the blatant use of stereotypes.

'In 99 percent of the cases, I’m offended,' he said. 'They say they’re honoring Native Americans with those nicknames, but there are plenty of other ways to honor them.'

He is particularly offended, he says, by Chief Wahoo, the Cleveland Indians’ caricature.

'It’s so typical with the large nose, the big grin and the one feather,' Brock said. 'The majority of kids on our team don’t look anything like that picture.'"

Get the Story:
Chuck Woodling: Brock not big on Indian nicknames (The Lawrence Journal-World 9/9)

NCAA Policy:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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