List of schools that changed Native American nicknames

(Photo: Seth Perlman, AP)
(Photo: Seth Perlman, AP)

Source: USA Today

Debate over whether the NFL’s Washington Redskins should change their nickname (see: Christine Brennan’s column) continues to grow.

Here is a list of notable colleges that changed Native American mascots and/or nicknames in recent history:

– Stanford University – Indians to Cardinal (1972)

– Dartmouth – Indians to Big Green (1974)

– Siena – Indians to Saints (1988)

– Eastern Michigan – Hurons to Eagles (1991)

– St. John’s (N.Y.) – Redman to Red Storm (1994)

– Marquette – Warriors to Golden Eagles (1994)

– Miami (Ohio) – Redskins to RedHawks (1997)

– Seattle University – Chieftains to Redhawks (2000)

– Louisiana-Monroe – Indiana to Warhakws (2006)

– Arkansas State – Indians to Red Wolves (2008)

– North Dakota – Formerly dropped Fighting Sioux in 2012. No nickname currently.

OTHERS:

– 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)

Of note: Utah (Utes), Central Michigan (Chippewas), Florida State (Seminoles) and Mississippi College (Choctaws) all appealed successfully to NCAA after being deemed “hostile and offensive.”

Each cited positive relationships with neighboring tribes in appeal.