12:30 PM EDT on Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- William and Mary must examine its athletic nickname -- Tribe -- by order of the NCAA.

The governing body of college sports is concerned about the use of American Indian logos, mascots and nicknames that some consider offensive.

William and Mary is among 30 colleges on the list, and the only Virginia school. Each must complete a self-analysis by May 1st. The NCAA wants to know -- among other things -- the origin of the school's nickname and its history as it relates to the specific campus.

An NCAA committee will review results and make recommendations.

William and Mary athletic director Terry Driscoll says William and Mary asked the NCAA for a deadline extension because a new university president -- Gene Nichol -- will take office on July 1st. Driscoll says he hasn't talked to Nichol about the issue.

Driscoll told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the Williamsburg school has not gotten negative publicity or comments from Virginia Indian tribes about the Tribe nickname in his eight years there.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)