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UNC-Pembroke Defends Indian Mascot To NCAA

In 2002, UNCP was among 31 schools identified by an NCAA committee as having mascots or logos that could be considered controversial.

Pembroke, NC-- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has told the NCAA the logo and nickname of its sports teams is no insult to American Indians, and in fact is supported by members of the local tribe. The UNCP board of trustees approved a report Thursday that explains the logo, which depicts an Indian with a hawk on his shoulder, and the Braves nickname. The school's students, who are more than 20% American Indians, and local members of the Lumbee tribe support using both, the report said. The university was established as the Croatan Normal School in 1887 to educate Indians. In 2002, UNCP was among 31 schools identified by an NCAA committee as having mascots or logos that could be considered controversial. The university's mascot was an Indian until 1991, when former Chancellor Joseph Oxendine responded to complaints from some Lumbees and banned the mascot. The school adopted the red-tailed hawk in 1992. The school has used the "Braves"' nickname since the 1940s.

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