Chippewa nickname stirs controversy
Ronnie Ekdahl, freshman defensive tackle and Saginaw Chippewa tribal member, doesn’t believe CMU’s nickname is hostile and abusive.
But he doesn’t oppose the NCAA’s postseason ban on teams using Native American nicknames.
Ekdahl takes pride in his heritage on and off the football field.
“I like certain points of the policy the NCAA instituted,” he said. “I think the name is very respected here and everyone understands the relationship between CMU and the tribe.”
The NCAA executive committee banned “hostile” and “abusive” mascots and team nicknames from postseason tournaments beginning in February. Teams with these mascots or nicknames cannot host postseason tournaments and its logos must be covered during postseason play.
The field hockey team experienced a problem concerning the Chippewas nickname last season.
Coach Cristy Freese scheduled the team to play at Iowa University, but before the season began, Iowa canceled.
Iowa does not play teams with Native American nicknames.
“I felt like some outside people put parameters on us without knowing the relationship we have between the tribe,” Freese said.
CMU athletes have also given back to the tribe by interacting with the tribe.
“The athletes and coaches are the spokespersons of the nickname,” Freese said. “It is something we truly identify with and are educated about.”
