1984 Tony Cocagna, sports editor of the Indiana Gazette, weighs in on the mascot debate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania:

“And now, the school has this nickname thing. The teams are called the Indians, but the mascot is a bear, lesser known as Cherokee. Administration, under heat due to the supposed offensive nature of the nickname, said the change from the Indian mascot was made several years ago because the bear holds special meaning among Native Americans. Fact is, administrators didn’t want to upset alumni, whose money they hold in high regard, by changing the nickname. It was an easy out. They even paid good money for a funny-looking bear costume and a snarling bear logo…. 
      There is a core element that cites political correctness and wants the nickname changed. Some have a serious political voice, and some just hopped on the most recent bandwagon. Some Native American groups – why call them Native Americans when it wasn’t America until white settlers arrived? – want all Indian-type nicknames changed, citing the supposed offensive nature of the term. 
      IUP isn’t the Savages, the Redskins, the Redmen, the Warriors, the Fighting Sioux. There’s no mascot running around in a headdress and war paint, and there’s no ridiculous-looking logo like that of the Cleveland Indians. IUP is the Indians, and there’s no offense intended. If anything, the nickname is regarded with a sense of pride and honor. … (Source: 1984 Feb 15, Indiana Gazette)
1984 Feb 15,
Indiana Gazette 






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