NCAA makes itself look foolish again.

The Potomac News opinion page today rightly took the NCAA to task for their bizarre ruling regarding the use of American Indian symbols associated with school athletics.

From the The Chronicle of Higher Education: NCAA Rejects William and Mary's Mascot Appeal:

The College of William and Mary has lost its mascot appeal to the NCAA by a feather.

The image of a feather used in connection with the nickname of the college’s sports teams—the Tribe—persuaded the NCAA to keep William and Mary on a list of institutions that face a postseason ban because they have not given up their American Indian images, which have been deemed offensive.

Here's the "offending image":


The NCAA reasoning is, well, non-existant:

In its appeal to the NCAA, the college received support from some Virginia tribal leaders and argued that its nickname had various connotations. But because the feather might offend some American Indians, it must go, the NCAA said, according to a written statement.

In other words, the use of a BIRD FEATHER was why William and Mary is being punished, for "offending American Indians", none of whom are identified.

The Potomac News notes that the Florida State Seminoles got to keep their mascot, a indian riding around before the games on a horse -- with feathers. Obviously, a post-season appearance by the Florida State football team pays enough to assauge the sensitivies of the NCAA committee.

Of course, if George Allen picked up a feather off the ground, then we'd all be told how offensive it was......