And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 21:14:07 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: KOLA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Seattle U. might stop using Chieftain as mascot Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >http://www.seattletimes.com/cgi-bin/news/local/masc_19990521.html Friday, May 21, 1999 Seattle U. might stop using Chieftain as mascot by Roberto Sanchez Seattle Times staff reporter Seattle University is thinking of replacing The Chieftain, its mascot of 61 years, with something less offensive to Native Americans. A task force of administrators, professors and students is almost ready to recommend that the university dump its mascot name and logo, which features an Indian chief in profile. Nancy Gerou, athletic director at Seattle University, said she has a list of 15 or 20 possible names and mascots, but said the university wasn't ready to choose yet. People or groups, however, are out. "It would be more appropriate to choose an object or an animal," Gerou said. The task force will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, then it will be up to Seattle University's Cabinet to decide whether the mascot goes or stays in a modified fashion. Eric Davis, director of the office of minority affairs, said the university has been thinking about changing its mascot for a long time, out of concern some people may be offended by the use of a stylized Indian as an icon. "Folks have come to realize that you can't rally around something that community members will perceive as offensive," Davis said. Two events have prompted the action. In December, Seattle University was accepted into the Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which will give it more exposure. And this year the Associated Students of Seattle University, in particular president Jason Madrano, have pleaded for a change. The word chieftain means leader of a clan or tribe. It comes from the Middle English word "cheftayne," which in turn comes from the Latin "capitaneus," or captain. At Seattle U., the Chieftain name and logo date to 1938, when it was credited to Ed Donohoe, who covered sports for Seattle University's student newspaper, The Spectator. Donohoe was fed up with the old team name, "The Maroons," a name that opponents would debase to "Morons" or "The Marooned," so he began calling the team "Chieftains" in his stories, according to Walt Crowley's "Seattle University: A Century of Jesuit Education." Donohoe, who went on to fame as the curmudgeonly editor of the Washington Teamster newspaper before his death in 1992, chose the name to honor Chief Seattle, the Suquamish chief whose name the city bears. Seattle University has asked for opinions from local Native-American leaders, who have urged the school to choose a new mascot. "I'm sure all of the sports teams and universities took those actions originally out of respect toward Native Americans," said Bernie Whitebear of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. "But it's now developed into an animosity." Whitebear said sports fans beating drums and hooting war cries conjure up "negative images of Native Americans in our schools." Seattle University soccer coach Peter Fewing, who served on the task force, said at first he was opposed to changing the mascot, but he has since changed his mind. "We are emotionally tied to the Chieftain," Fewing said. "My guys enjoyed being called the Chieftains. I feel like I've been educated. Initially, I thought we weren't offending anybody." Mark Burnett, Director of Alumni Relations, said his office is asking alumni for comments about changing the mascot. So far, there hasn't been a strong reaction, he said. Megan Diefenbach, a Seattle U. admissions counselor who played soccer as an undergraduate at the university, said she was still attached to the mascot but can see why people would want a change. "I certainly don't want a mascot that is offensive to a segment of the population," Diefenbach said. Roberto Sanchez's phone message number is 206-464-8522. Copyright © 1999 Seattle Times Company Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
