Rennard Strickland, professor

University of Oregon

Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard

"I am frequently asked why Indian mascots are more problematic than ‘the fighting Irish’ or ‘the Vikings.’ The answer is simple: It is the result of United States federal Indian policy. You see, there is no Bureau of Irish Affairs. No Viking agent holds ‘trust title’ to the lands of these national descendants. There is in the case of Native Americans.

"The question of mascots, movies and museums is significant for Native Americans. It transcends sports and entertainment. It influences law. It dominates resource management. It profoundly impacts every aspect of contemporary American Indian policy and shapes both the general cultural view of the Indian as well as Indian self-image."

Chris Wallace, general manager

Boston Celtics

Washington Post

"What needs to be done is that (young players) are put in a system where there is more high-level coaches working with these kids, more mentors at a young age. Those type of individuals have influence with those kids on a day-to-day basis, not just the guy down the street who’s got his eyes on attracting the player to an agent or a traveling coach. ...

"I would not be at all surprised that in the next two to four years what is now being talked about (a basketball academy for prospects) becomes reality. I’ve long felt that there needed to be some mechanism in place where the truly gifted players are identified and then nurtured. I’m sure this is done in music, done in the sciences, done in other sports. So why not basketball?"