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ROOSEVELT - While the NCAA has declared that the University of Utah is in violation of its new policy banning Indian nicknames that are "hostile and abusive," many in the Ute tribe for whom the school is named are angry that the U. is under attack.

Irene Cuch, a tribal leader at the Unitah and Ouray Indian Reservation located about four hours east of Salt Lake City, said the decision should be theirs.

"A non-Indian organization should not be the one to make the decision. This should come from tribal leaders," Cuch said.

She said she is proud of the university naming itself after her tribe as

long as the school uses the name in a respectful manner, which she said the school has done. Early in the relationship between the tribe and the university, Cuch said, Ute leaders were shown a school logo that depicted a caricature of an Indian. The tribe objected, and the university immediately withdrew the proposal.

"As long as it's not abusive or disrespectful, I think it's a good thing," Cuch said.

Several tribal members agreed.

Roberta Reed-Tapoof proudly wears a U. basketball jersey at outings and she and her husband try to make as many home football and basketball games as they can, despite the lengthy commute from their home in Fort Duchesne.

"It doesn't bother me that the U. uses the Ute name. I think if they change it, they are going to lose some fans," Reed-Tapoof said.

Pat Reed, a distant relative of Reed-Tapoof, said she enjoys the U.'s use of the image.

"I don't think it's degrading. It's actually more of a plus," she said.

For many members, their tribe being the namesake for the state's flagship school is a source of pride. Others see it as a matter of honoring a longtime agreement between the university and the Ute nation.

"The leaders gave permission long ago, and that should be respected," said Constance Eaton, a tribal member who attended the U. for part of her college career. "We are being honored by having our name on a school of higher education."

U. fan and tribal member Doyle Conetah, 14, takes a lighter view of the controversy.

"I think they should be able to use it," he said, "as long as they keep winning."