The University of Utah "Utes" asked the NCAA on Wednesday for an exemption to the policy on Indian mascots.

The school said it has a long relationship with the Northern Ute Tribe. The tribe supports the use of the nickname.

Since the NCAA banned the use of Indian imagery during post-season tournaments, four schools have appealed. The Florida State University "Seminoles" already won an exemption due to the support of the Seminole Tribe.

Get the Story:
U. officially files appeal on Utes nickname (The Deseret Morning News 9/1)
Utah submits NCAA appeal (The Salt Lake Tribune 9/1)

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

Relevant Links:
University of Utah - http://www.utah.edu
Utah Utes - http://utahutes.ocsn.com
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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NCAA exempts FSU 'Seminoles' from mascot policy (8/24)
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Even more reaction to the NCAA policy on mascots (8/16)
Schools appeal NCAA policy on Indian mascots (8/15)
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Bad Eagle: NCAA doesn't care what Indians think (8/15)
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