What's in a name?

School officially starts for us in one week.

Today, we were busy cleaning and arranging the shed, taking my car in for some repair work, and later tonight we are going to the Montana Fair. I have been warned by wife that she will be enjoying most of the fair food, so that means rides are out (unless I can sneak her in line before we eat.)

Now on to some business. If you haven't heard, the NCAA has stated that in a few years, during the March NCAA tournament it will not allow teams to display nicknames or mascots that are Native American in origin.

That means you will not be seeing any Warriors, Indians, Braves, etc. at the tournament. However, due to the ruling, the Florida State Seminoles, University of Utah Utes, and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini will have to change their names, because those to are Native American.

It doesn't matter that both Seminole Tribal Councils (Florida and Oklahoma Seminoles) have voted in favor of FSU using the name the Seminoles.

To complicate matters, take the Fighting Illini. The NCAA will not allow the jerseys that state Illini (because it's Indian) but will allow jerseys that state Illinois (because it is supposedly refering to the state.) I'm concerned though, shouldn't we make the NCAA aware that Illinois is the French word for Illini.

I do agree that some Mascots are disrespectful, however it could be argued that use of Native American nicknames is a reminder of the first people to settle the Americas.

So, in order to help out the NCAA, I have put together a list of other schools that should change their nickname and/or mascot.

• Notre Dame - The Fighting Irish. Seriously folks, Notre Dame is just adding to that age old mythology that the Irish are violent. And if that is the fact, then Notre Dame should change their mascot from that green little guy to Colin Ferrell. Just Picture it, Colin Ferrell's face on all those helmets.
• University of Nebraska Corn Huskers - this name just sounds bads. Plus, do all those people involved in the corn industry really want to be associated that has so many miscreants on their football team.
• Syracuse University Orangemen - What really is an Orangeman?
• Montana State University Bobcats - MSU should change their name just on principle. This is why I believe the UM kicks their butt most every year. I mean, who do you think would win in a fight, a cute little Bobcat or mean ol' Grizzly.
• University of Minnesota Gophers - I mean seriously folks, whose afraid of a gopher. Badgers yes, gophers no. Unless you attend University of Wyoming (the Cowboys), you shouldn't be worried. You cowboys however have to worry about all them darn gopher holes.
• Iowa Hawkeyes - This name is o.k., as long as everyone in the school has better than 20/20 vision. If that's the case, then their name is misleading.
• The Chinook Sugarbeeters - O.k., so MHSA has jurisdication on this one, but please, just look at the name. Every time I say Sugarbeeters I just giggle.
• The Broadview Pirates - Another one for MHSA. If you've ever been to Broadview, you know there is no water anywhere to be found. So pirates they cannot be.

I'm sure there are many other nicknames and mascots that belong on this list, but presently, I'm all out of ideas.