Miami University

NICKNAME LAWSUIT DROPPED

05/19/1997

OXFORD, Ohio -- The plaintiffs who sued Miami University in

February to stop the planned change of the school's athletic nickname have

dismissed their suit.

During a status conference with Butler Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew J.

Crehan, lawyers for the plaintiffs filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss their

claims.

Miami had filed a motion last month asking the court to dismiss the

suit.

"Obviously I am pleased, but at the same time I want to emphasize that we

hold no ill will toward the alumni who filed this suit," said Miami President

James Garland. "They were and continue to be good supporters of Miami and our

athletic program.

"The voluntary dismissal is welcomed not only because it saves us money

but also because it is another step toward laying to rest the emotional debate

over the team nickname."

The trustees voted last September to drop the use of the name Redskins and

charged Dr. Garland with creating a process to find a replacement. This action

came after the Miami Tribe in July said it could no longer support use of the

name.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 5 by attorney Robert Croskery on behalf of 13

people, including nine Miami alumni. It charged, among other things, that

"clandestine" actions of Miami officials caused plaintiffs to suffer "mental

anguish" and "loss of the enjoyment of life" and claimed trustees pressured

Miami Tribe members to withdraw their support for the name.

The suit asked for temporary and permanent restraining orders against the

university two days before the trustees were to meet to consider a replacement

for Redskins. The orders were not granted.

At the February meeting, President Garland recommended RedHawks as a new

nickname. Trustees voted to consider the matter further, and at their April 18

meeting, voted to accept RedHawks effective July 1.