Sharon Austin, a Dine (Navajo) who is also a doctoral student at the U., said universities should take some responsibility and educate themselves on the harm of using American Indians as mascots or symbols or just associating them with sports teams.

"I would argue that there is very little knowledge of the Ute people (or American Indians) and their history because it is still a belief that Utah was founded by Mormons," Austin wrote. "This over-arching concept is expressed in the media and every year during the celebration events of July 24th."

Graduate student Emma Mecham told U. officials the Ute Tribe is not unanimous in its support of the U. and said "it is better for the university to respond to the concerns of those adversely affected by the current mascot than to turn away and validate only those opinions that are in line with current policy."

Bryan Brayboy, a Lumbee Indian, told Esplin, "My sense is that the university community and the indigenous students, staff and faculty are not necessarily united."

One woman called the "frivolous" use of sacred Native American symbolism "sacrilege." A "descendent" of the Iroquois Nation urged the U. to restore honor and respect to the Ute nickname.

Anthony Shirley, a Navajo from Chinle, Ariz., pointed out that most college mascots around the country are animals. The Utes' first football game was against the Arizona Wildcats.

Shirley, who works for the U. Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, added, "The suggestion that we are either on the same level or less than an animal is downright rude. There is no honor in being on the same level as animals. Especially during a competition."

In another e-mail from Tom-Orme, this one to Young, she wrote, "How have we used the Ute name respectfully? Do we have a Ute room anywhere on campus? Is there a building named the Northern Ute Building? Do we display Ute art or Ute themes anywhere in campus? In fact, I cannot think of any activity, event or place where we have used the Northern Ute name respectfully."

Esplin wrote back to Tom-Orme that all of the streets in the U. Research Park are named after prominent Ute leaders.

Many of those in support of the U. and its nickname said American Indians, not the NCAA, should decide what is offensive to them.

"By adjudicating, without due process and investigation, that all of these associations are hostile and offensive, you're essentially promoting the same narrow-minded thinking that you're hoping to eliminate," Welby Evangelista wrote to the NCAA — her letter was included in copies of e-mails sent to the Morning News.

In a copy of an e-mail Esplin received, Charles Kupchella, president of the University of North Dakota, which goes by the nickname Fighting Sioux, said the NCAA was guilty of " 'political correctness run amok' as suggested by some papers." That school is in danger of losing at least one large donation if the nickname is changed.

Why stop at minority groups, others asked?

"Also, why wasn't 'Fighting Irish' considered harsh and offensive?" asked Michigan Williams. "I would think that there would be at least one Irish Catholic in America that objects to the stereotype that they are drunk and fight a lot."

But even if the U. did have to change its nickname, it wouldn't have been the end of the world for at least one person.

Adam Sadler said, "I will always be a Ute. . . . If it really comes down to having to make a change, that's part of life, and we will have to live with it."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com