Ralphie the Colorado Buffalo and Cam the Colorado State Ram can rest easily in their furry-and-woolly mascot identities. Along with the Air Force Falcons and Northern Colorado Bears, the state’s Division I animal mascots have been spared from the latest plea to the NCAA regarding inappropriate nicknames.
Representatives for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to NCAA president Myles Brand on Thursday complaining about the use of Gamecocks at South Carolina and Jacksonville State, saying the nickname is a symbol of animal cruelty.
The letter reads: “Names like the Gamecocks send a message to sports fans that cruel and illegal pastimes such as cockfighting are something to cheer about.”
The PETA letter congratulated the NCAA for its stand last week banning some American Indian mascots and nicknames.
“While names like the Oregon Ducks and the Baylor Bears highlight the power and beauty in the natural world, there are NCAA teams whose names conjure images of cruelty,” read the letter from PETA campaign coordinator Allison Ezell.
Asked specifically about CU, CSU and Air Force symbols, Ezell said, “PETA does not believe all animal mascots give sports a bad name.”
Last week the NCAA banned 18 schools from using an American Indian logo or mascot during postseason events, starting in February. Any insignia on a venue selected for postseason play must be covered. Athletic uniforms with insignias considered hostile or abusive may not be worn or displayed during the postseason. Regular-season games are not affected.
Florida State is challenging the NCAA for banning Seminoles, an issue that has reached the governor’s office in Florida.
In the Mountain West Conference, the Utah Utes found themselves on the NCAA banned list, but the San Diego State Aztecs did not. The San Diego Union- Tribune reported the NCAA “accepted the finding from San Diego State that it could not find any organized tribe or group related to the Aztecs.”
Utah abandoned a mascot who dressed up as an Indian on horseback in the 1980s. The Ute Tribal Council has granted permission for the school to use the Utes nickname. The team’s mascot wears a red hawk costume. Utah football helmets have a feather insignia, while other Utes uniforms have a drum-and- feather insignia.
Utah officials have not decided if they will appeal the ruling.
Utah is a frequent host of the men’s NCAA Tournament, as well as women’s soccer and gymnastics events.
“When it comes to bidding for NCAA sites in 2009 and later, if we haven’t changed the nickname or logo, they could choose to not let us host,” Utah sports information director Mike Lageschulte said.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
