"The name 'Redskins' is very disrespectful," Cuch said. The term refers to a time in history when the king of England called for the scalping of Indians as proof of bounty, Cuch said.

The U. has already stopped using references to and imagery of Indian culture in its logos, except for the drum and feather. It even removed the word "Runnin' " from the nickname of the Utes' basketball team.

"We try to be very respectful," Young said.

The university did have a face-off with the tribe in 1996, when the tribe threatened to sue for "reparations" for using the Ute name. Then-U. President Arthur K. Smith responded that the school would not pay for use of the name but would drop the name if it offended tribal members. The dispute ended with Ute leaders saying "they would not oppose the school's continued use of the nickname, as long as it was used 'respectfully and with dignity.' "

NCAA President Myles Brand in a press release praised several institutions that now "adhere to the core values of the NCAA Constitution pertaining to cultural diversity, ethical sportsmanship and nondiscrimination" by banning references to race, ethnicity or national origin in their nicknames and mascots.

So, the Ute nickname and images of feathers and drums on some team uniforms may be the only sticking points left for the NCAA and its new rule as it relates to the U.

Young, who was on vacation Friday, said in an interview that he will study the NCAA pronouncement to determine what, if anything, the U.'s sports teams need to change.

Wetherell said in his online statement that he intends to pursue all legal avenues to overturn the NCAA's decision.

Young would not speculate on whether the issue would rise to a legal battle with the NCAA.

"These things come out of the blue from time to time from the NCAA — this could change," Young said.

Wetherell said the Seminole Tribal Council in June "unequivocally" supported FSU's use of the Seminole name.

Last month, Young said he received approval from the Ute Tribal Council to continue using the Ute name.

"They were very supportive," Young said. "They appreciate the distinction we bring to the name."

Young said the U. does nothing to make fun of or belittle the Ute name — no tomahawk chops, no chants or Indian dances.

U. spokeswoman Coralie Alder said the school has been careful with tribal leaders to follow the right procedures in using the Ute name.

"If they were to tell us not to use their name . . . we would look at another option," Alder said.