National Collegiate Athletic Association: Key Policies Indian Mascots

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Collegiate Athletic Association: Background

National Collegiate Athletic Association: Key Policies

National Collegiate Athletic Association: Key Policies Gender and Title IX

National Collegiate Athletic Association: Key Policies Academic Reform

In 2005, the NCAA Executive Committee issued guidelines for the use of Native American mascots at championship events. According to the NCAA Web site, “The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee adopted a new policy prohibiting NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial / ethnic / nationalorigin mascots, nicknames, or imagery at any of the 88 NCAAchampionships.” The decision was based on the articulated core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship, and nondiscrimination. The NCAA’s final policy change, effective August 1, 2008, prohibits colleges and universities that display American Indian references on their mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams, and band uniforms from displaying them at any championship event.