Chick McGee, a syndicated radio personality, had a clever idea for Miami Univerity (Ohio) when they were struggling with their former mascot, the "Redskins": change the symbol from a Native American to an Apple.

There was a school that changed the mascot but not the name, and did so last year. The Merrimack College Warriors (North Andover, MA) changed from an Indian Chief Logo to a Mich. St. Spartan-like warrior mascot and logo last year. Here's a link to the Hockey East website where the new logo can be seen, #6 top row.
http://hockeyeastonline.com/
The old logo can be seen on this clearance t-shirt at
http://www.sportdesigns.com/heashop/mc/mcmwy1.html#

In any event, there's one that kept the name and changed the mascot.

It may just be me, but I seem to notice less outcry when the mascot is the name of a particular tribe, such as FSU Seminoles or U of I Illini, opposed to the generic Warriors, Braves, or Indians. If that observation holds up, Miami might want to try to work out something with the Miami tribe descendants and form an arrangement similar to FSU's. The man seen on horseback at FSU is of Seminole heritage, and the tribe supports the school's use of the name, as long as it is clear that they are honoring the traditions and memory of their ancestors.
Schools like Indiana Tech might want to switch to the name of a tribe who previously inhabited the land. In this case, the Shawnee might work out well.

Although I could understand objections over the manner in which certain mascots are portrayed (e.g. Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo), I've never understood why having a Native American mascot in general is offensive. Mascots are chosen for their strong, courageous, or inspiring qualities.

Or at least they used to be. Apparently, they're choosing elements now. I'd vote for hydrogen. No matter what happened, you'd always be "number 1."

I'm a Miami University alum -- they've already changed their mascot and name to "the Red Hawks". I tend to side with Democrats and liberals in most things these days, but this kind of crap just drives me up a wall.

(Not that conservatives are uniformly better. I went to high school in Richmond Indiana where our mascot was "the Red Devils". Christian groups would periodically make a push to change the mascot to something less Satanic. One of the proposals was "the Rose Buds." -- I happen to think that the psychic damage to a high school football player from playing as a "Rose Bud" would far exceed any problems he has with the occult from playing as a "Red Devil.")

Good point, Doug. The name-changing business is not all liberals. Chandler Elementary near Evansville changed from Red Devils to Vikings about 20 years ago because of similar concerns, and I am sure there are other examples of this. However, the high-profile mascot changing is usually not of this nature. Sun Devils, Blue Devils, Demon Deacons, etc. all manage to stay unassailed at the national level.

Just because a Native American mascot or symbol is specific or even endorsed by the people it represents doesn't mean it is safe from controversy. The future and welfare of University of Illinois symbol (he's not a mascot) Chief Illiniwek has been THE main issue on campus for years.

Hey, thanks for the link to the Fort Wayne history. Interesting stuff.

They should use the 'Trojans', like all the rest of the schools. I'll be glad to design their logo. That shouldn't make the WagonBurners too mad.

the man on horseback is not of Seminole descent...it's a white student, they paint his face red before the games.