NCAA Native American mascot decision

Changes

California State University, Stanislaus eliminated Native American references to its Warrior nickname, initially using a Warrior Hawk mascot that never caught on, and later replaced it with a Roman Warrior named Titus. The College of William and Mary had changed from Indians to The Tribe, but was cited due to two feathers in its logo, which were removed; after a brief period with the frog-like character Colonel Ebirt as unofficial mascot, it selected the Griffin in 2010.

Alcorn State University and Bradley University kept the nickname Braves but changed their mascots, while Chowan University Braves became the Hawks. Carthage College Redmen became the Red Men and Lady Reds, eventually dropping both nicknames in January 2021 in favor of Firebirds for all teams. Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savages changed to Savage Storm. San Diego State University was not cited in 2005 because the Aztecs were deemed not a Native American tribe with living descendants, though a professor noted the mascot teaches mistaken ideas.

In February 2017, the SDSU Native American Student Alliance supported removal, calling its continued use institutional racism. The University Senate voted to phase out the human depiction of the Aztec Warrior, but a task force recommended keeping the name while modifying mascot performance, with few signs of implementation.

Waivers granted

The NCAA granted waivers from its mascot policy to five university teams originally on the hostile and abusive list that obtained official support from individual tribes, based on the principle of Tribal Sovereignty. Catawba College Indians became the Catawba Indians with approval of that tribe. Central Michigan University (Chippewas) received support from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation of Michigan. Florida State University (Seminoles) had its name selected by student vote in the 1940s, initially using stereotypical images.

In 1978, Osceola and Renegade first appeared, with a student portraying the 19th-century leader Osceola while riding an Appaloosa horse, wearing clothing provided by the Seminole tribe. The Seminole Tribe of Florida officially sanctions the nickname and Osceola as a symbol, with chief Max Osceola regarding it as an honor. However, some members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma objected, leading the NCAA to originally place FSU on its list. In July 2005, the Seminole Nation General Council voted 18–2 not to oppose the use of Native American names and mascots by college sports teams, though opponent David Narcomey referred to Osceola as a minstrel show.