A handful do object to the U.'s nickname

Not everyone would have sided with the NCAA when it recently decided the University of Utah could keep its nickname: the Utes.

Plenty of people, even American Indian leaders, supported the U. as the NCAA accused the university of being among 18 member institutions considered to be using American Indian mascots, nicknames or imagery in a "hostile" or "abusive" manner.

The U. appealed, and the NCAA on Sept. 2 announced it would remove the U. and Central Michigan University from its list. Those schools remaining on the list may be prohibited from hosting NCAA tournaments or participating in post-season play. Previously, Florida State University had been taken off the list. In each case, the NCAA cited tribal support as a "significant factor" in its decision.

A handful of people, however, contacted U. officials to say they want to see the Utes' nickname changed. The Deseret Morning News filed a GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act) request for copies of e-mails and letters dealing with the subject.

Lillian Tom-Orme, an American Indian and research assistant professor at the U., said she wanted to make known her opposition to the use of any American Indian nickname. Other American Indians, she said, agree with her.

"In all of the media reports, I continue to hear that the U. has no opposition," Tom-Orme wrote to Fred Esplin, U. vice president for university relations. "If you know the culture of American Indians, you know that they will not publicly oppose issues like this, but if approached they will give their viewpoints."

U. President Michael Young and Chris Hill, U. athletics director, along with Esplin, received and sent several e-mails and letters.

"We are the Utes — it is a done issue," Esplin told the Morning News. Efforts will continue, he added, to ask that fans respect the Ute name, which he said is largely the case already. "We're trying to educate our fans."

Many messages, of course, urged the U. not to bend.

"Fight this to the end!" said U. student Nate Rizley.

A minority of messages were in opposition — Esplin estimated there were about five e-mails against using the name Utes while "hundreds" of people supported the U.

"I being a Native American woman don't want my Indianness portrayed as a whooping, hollering war dancing cartoon character," wrote Sadie Tsosie to Young. "I see no honor in portraying my people in this light. Finally, we are: PEOPLE NOT MASCOTS."

The U. abandoned use of an Indian mascot, and the only remaining imagery is the drum and feather in the U. logo — the mascot is "Swoop," a red-tailed hawk.