THE NCAA BAN OF MASCOTS TAKES A TURN

The Florida State Seminoles are now priveledged to be removed from the NCAA's list of college nicknames that are to be banned. The NCAA reverted on it's decision to ban the Seminoles nickname because the realtionship between the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida and the Florida State University. 

The Seminole Indian Tribe supports the use of the University's nickname and has assisted in the celebration of the Seminole culture at the University and the related pageantry.

Other schools may follow Florida States lead in it's request to remove them from the list of banned mascots and nicknames. This could become a sticky mess and it is possible that if some schools, who aren't happy with a possible declining of these requests, could withdraw from NCAA  participation if they gain enough support from other schools and sources. These schools, if the decide to leave the NCAA, could either join the NAIA or form a new organization of college athletics. However, the issue of finances could play a vital role in the NCAA maintaining it's current members.

This debate shouldn't even be a debate since the NCAA and every University are different entities. If there is issue surrounding a college mascot or nickname then the group or organization that has problem with the use thereof should be the plaintiff and not the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  It's bad enough that the NCAA over polices the actions of individual students and how much money these kids can make while the NCAA itself use their images to make millions. The whole issue appears to be more political than about anything else.

Stereotypic "Indian head" icons like this one are among the most common and may be thought of as symbolic war trophies.

RED RIVER SHOOTOUT

Since 1929 the traditional game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns has been played at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas.  There are talks that , after the 2007 season, the game may be moved from that site.   

The two schools began discussing the issue last week when a new sponsorship agreement with SBC Communications Inc was announced. 

The concern for the two schools is the condition of the Cotton Bowl.  Both athletic directors would like to see some improvements in the stadium.  Joe Castiglione, athletic director at OU, isnt asking for gold-plated handrails,but says "if you go sit in that stadium and see its condition, you'll see that there has to be some improvements." He also stated, "They want this game in Dallas. What are they offering to us? If the stadium is not in good enough condition to hold the game, what choice do we have? But we would rather not wait until the last year of the contract to make that decision."

Deloss Dodds, Texas' athletic director, said "If improvements aren't made to the Cotton Bowl, that he would favor going to a home-and-home series."  The Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington isn't appealing to Dodds because he feels that the State Fair is the basis of the game's tradition and the reason for playing it in Dallas.

A $26 million proposal to renovate the Cotton Bowl has been sent to the Mayor of Dallas, Laura Miller, a year ago, according to Errol McKoy who is the President for the State Fair of Teaxs. 

Mayor Laura Miller has stated that she is committed to keeping the game in Dallas and that funding for the renovations could be made from thlic bonds.  Miller is also seeking a longer contractual commitment from OU and Texas. 

College fotball in the Red River region could change forever.  I believe that the issue will be worked out and this is one college football tradition that will continue on for several more seasons.