Florida State Seminoles

[wizard1]

Florida States' name, "Seminoles", and its use of Seminole symbolism has a long and interesting history. Long before the politically correct people started their push to eliminate indian symbolism, Florida State had established a relationship with the Seminole tribe in Florida which included scholarships for Seminole children and a mutually respectful dialog that resulted in many Seminole people becoming FSU fans.
When the "anti indian" people went after FSU, meetings were held between the parties and included leaders of the Seminole tribal council. The council pointed out that they were pleased with the use of the Seminole name, that the costume worn by the horseback rider at FSU games was designed after one actually worn by Seminole chief Oseola, the Grandfather of the Council Chief, and that the costume was sewn by wives of the tribal council. The matter of FSU Seminole scholarships was discussed and finally, the Chief of the Council pointed out that the council and many Seminole people were avid FSU fans. The anti indian symbolism people and the NCAA immediately backed off and as a result, FSU continues to have one of the most exciting and dramatic names, mascots, and pre-game ceremonies in all of college sports. Certainly $ have changed hands but whats wrong with that if it helps people? FSU supports the Seminole tribe of Florida and the Seminole Tribe supports FSU.

[Future Walk-On]

Did something come up in the news about this recently?

[BUBalum05]

Florida States' name, "Seminoles", and its use of Seminole symbolism has a long and interesting history. Long before the politically correct people started their push to eliminate indian symbolism, Florida State had established a relationship with the Seminole tribe in Florida which included scholarships for Seminole children and a mutually respectful dialog that resulted in many Seminole people becoming FSU fans.
When the "anti indian" people went after FSU, meetings were held between the parties and included leaders of the Seminole tribal council. The council pointed out that they were pleased with the use of the Seminole name, that the costume worn by the horseback rider at FSU games was designed after one actually worn by Seminole chief Oseola, the Grandfather of the Council Chief, and that the costume was sewn by wives of the tribal council. The matter of FSU Seminole scholarships was discussed and finally, the Chief of the Council pointed out that the council and many Seminole people were avid FSU fans. The anti indian symbolism people and the NCAA immediately backed off and as a result, FSU continues to have one of the most exciting and dramatic names, mascots, and pre-game ceremonies in all of college sports. Certainly $ have changed hands but whats wrong with that if it helps people? FSU supports the Seminole tribe of Florida and the Seminole Tribe supports FSU.

It also helps that the Seminole are a surviving tribe to speak on their own behalf and relocated back into Florida in the 1900's as an organized group recognized by the federal government. By in large, the Illiniwek tribes did not survive into the 1800's without being relocated further west, so its kind of tough for someone like U of I to partner with a nearly extinct tribe. Worse yet, any school like BU with a generic indian imagery mascot, doesn't have a chance for a partnership with a local tribe unless they tried to become the Bradley Kickapoo's which doesn't really have a ring to it.

[tornado]

Florida States' name, "Seminoles", and its use of Seminole symbolism has a long and interesting history. Long before the politically correct people started their push to eliminate indian symbolism, Florida State had established a relationship with the Seminole tribe in Florida which included scholarships for Seminole children and a mutually respectful dialog that resulted in many Seminole people becoming FSU fans.
When the "anti indian" people went after FSU, meetings were held between the parties and included leaders of the Seminole tribal council. The council pointed out that they were pleased with the use of the Seminole name, that the costume worn by the horseback rider at FSU games was designed after one actually worn by Seminole chief Oseola, the Grandfather of the Council Chief, and that the costume was sewn by wives of the tribal council. The matter of FSU Seminole scholarships was discussed and finally, the Chief of the Council pointed out that the council and many Seminole people were avid FSU fans. The anti indian symbolism people and the NCAA immediately backed off and as a result, FSU continues to have one of the most exciting and dramatic names, mascots, and pre-game ceremonies in all of college sports. Certainly $ have changed hands but whats wrong with that if it helps people? FSU supports the Seminole tribe of Florida and the Seminole Tribe supports FSU.

agree - the only time I object from the money angle is that NCAA never backs off other programs but does back off FSU because of the money involved...
In other words - as always, their decisions and enforcement are largely hinged on MONEY not on actual reason.

[wizard1]

Florida State Seminoles

t--- I agree with you that under normal circumstances the NCAA reacts to money but the FSU situation is a little different.
First of all, the money FSU donates goes to the Seminole Tribe, is largely for educational purposes and does not go to the NCAA.
Secondly, FSU and the Seminole Tribe made it abundantly clear to the NCAA that they would jointly take legal action via lawsuit if the NCAA interfered with the FSU/Seminole situation. The NCAA was smart enough to know they would lose this one so they backed off.

[tornado]

..the money FSU donates goes to the Seminole Tribe,....

yeah - but you will not convince me that Florida State - and thus NCAA as well - don't also benefit greatly by sales of Seminole apparel & memorabilia...

[bradleyfan124]

Would love to see student at Bradley who was Native American and wanted to dance in his Ancestors heritage for the school at the Bradley games. Would love to see the NCAA try to stop him from expressing his heritage

[Da Coach]

Would love to see student at Bradley who was Native American and wanted to dance in his Ancestors heritage for the school at the Bradley games. Would love to see the NCAA try to stop him from expressing his heritage

If he did that, he'd have to do it in the stands, and with no official affiliation to Bradley. Otherwise the NCAA would penalize Bradley.