Bill to shield Indian mascots from NCAA reintroduced

Rep. Timothy Johnson (R-Illinois) has re-introduced a bill to protect schools with hostile and abusive Indian imagery from the NCAA's mascot policy.

H.R.1316, the Protection of University Governance Act, allows schools to sue NCAA and seek financial damages over the mascot policy. it would protect the University of Illinois, whose controversial "Chief Illiniwek" mascot was officially retired this week.

Johnson introduced the bill on March 5, three weeks after the school decided to drop the mascot. The last public apperance of the "Chief" was February 21.

Get the Story:
Johnson reintroduces NCAA bill (The Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette 3/16)

NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006)

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

Relevant Links:
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org

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