William & Mary to Appeal NCAA

As some of you may know, the NCAA is cracking down on Native American nicknames and mascots. The William and Mary Tribe were just notified that its logo, which consists of the nickname "Tribe" flanked by two feathers, is discriminatory.

Since when were feathers threatening?

From a Washington Post article...
The NCAA ruling, rendered in a two-page statement released Tuesday, represented a split decision for the college, which had argued that its nickname conveyed "ennobling sentiments of commitment, shared idealism, community and common cause." NCAA officials agreed in part, ruling that "Tribe" itself was not objectionable but that linking "Tribe" to an image of two feathers was. As a result, William & Mary has been retained on a list of schools subject to penalties because of what the NCAA deems to be "hostile and abusive" nicknames or mascots.

Here is my favorite quote though...
Bill Walker , associate vice president for public affairs, said William & Mary felt compelled to fight for the right to display its logo. "It's hard for us to understand how the NCAA could approve Florida State's wild representation of an Indian on horseback with the flaming spear and be perturbed about feathers," Walker said.

And the school President, Gene Nichol's comments...
To the Campus Community:
We learned last evening that the NCAA staff review determined the use of the nickname "Tribe" by our athletic teams was neither "hostile nor abusive." The report did object, however, to the use of feathers as part of our sports logo. We will appeal the ruling as it applies to the logo.
The good news, of course, is the NCAA has agreed with our assessment of the term "Tribe." The nickname—so close to the heart of this community—will remain the College's moniker.
The NCAA's varied interpretations of mascot policy—what it allows and what it rejects—are impossible to comprehend or justify. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the U. S. Congress is considering taking the matter out of the Association's hands. It remains my belief that the William and Mary athletic program should be touted as a national model for unparalleled academics and athletics.
Go Tribe!