text: Springer: How much would it cost to change all Redskins' names in Ohio high school sports? Scott Springer looks at the week that was Jan. 26-Feb. 3 in Greater Cincinnati High School sports. Check out this story on cincinnati.com: http://cin.ci/2s2W095
  Back in the radio days, there were certain topics that were reliable "go-tos" when it came to lighting up phone lines and generating calls. These topics have now become sure-fire "web hits" in all of the media, particularly if you list 5 ways they generate disagreement along with a picture captioned, "You'll never believe what (fill in the blank) looks like now!"
  One of the topics was Marge Schott, who called everyone "honey" but had some other names in her repertoire. Pete Rose is another with more hits than anyone in the Hall of Fame, but seemingly unable to get out of his own way (best interview you'll ever get, though). Then there's the button-pushing Indian nickname thing. Now that the Cleveland Indians have decided to take Chief Wahoo off their jerseys, there's another push to stop the use of mascots with Native American references.
  I do think Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame and I attended Anderson High School. Their nickname is the Redskins. The former principal Charlie Brown named them for his then-Miami University Redskins. It's where I grew up and where I went to school without a vote on the nickname. I can assure you, that area is not an Indian-hating, racist, hate-speech group of people. Because I still have sons involved with the school, I'll say no more other than I have always had ideas on the topic and the Forest Hills School District can always reach me.
  Anderson forward Amadaz Jones looks for an open teammate in the game between the Withrow Tigers and the Anderson Redskins at Anderson High School. (Photo: Jim Owens/For The Enquirer)
  Before everyone assumes Anderson is the only school on earth with the Redskins nickname, the latest Ohio High School Athletic Association directory lists 11 in the Buckeye state. In addition to Anderson, there's Arcadia, Caldwell, Coshocton, Cuyahoga Heights, Fort Loramie, Indian Creek, Port Clinton, St. Henry, Utica and Wapakoneta (home of the first man on the moon and former University of Cincinnati professor Neil Armstrong).
  Text: (GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK) APOLLO11: On July 20, three decades will have past since Neil Armstrong made history by walking on the moon. (GNS Photo) (Photo: File)
  In addition, by my count, there are at least 76 schools that have Indian nicknames such as Indians, Warriors, Redmen, Orangemen, Apaches, etc. Some could be up for debate and added to that total such as the Ashland Arrows, St. Ursula Academy (Toledo) Arrows, Tecumseh Arrows, Chippewa Chipps, Hopewell-Loudon Chieftains, Logan Chieftains, Mississinawa Valley Blackhawks and Westerville Central Warhawks.
  For argument's sake, let's say a decree came down to ban all such names. What would be the cost of replacing school signs, scoreboards, football fields, basketball floors, stationery, websites and whatever else that contained the previous names? Then factor in, the cost of coming up with a new name and the obligatory committees needed to clear every possibility so that the new name won't become offensive some 40 years down the road. Without taking a side, it would be a district treasurer's nightmare.
  Since the answer to everything in life comes down to money, why not offset the costs of renaming with naming rights for teams. To be fair, I never liked the concept when it started and I was once called on the carpet for refusing to call Riverfront Stadium "Cinergy Field". But, if you can show some profit, why not get rid of all nicknames? Let's just go back to our Knothole baseball days and get a school sponsor. Let's have "Skyline Chili Anderson" against "Penn Station McNicholas" or "Kenwood Town Center Moeller" vs. "LaRosa's La Salle".
  Former Red Sean Casey was the speaker at the Jan. 25 Anderson Sports Stag where no Native Americans were offended. He did tell a great story about a former Cleveland Indians great that's sure to be repeated when he appears at St. Xavier's Hall of Fame Dinner this Thursday. Casey's probably better than many passing themselves off as stand-up comics.
  The Ohio state team wrestling tournament is Feb. 10 at Ohio State's St. John Arena (their old venue, the individual tournament in March is at the Schottenstein Center). From the area, Mason, La Salle, Bethel-Tate, and Ross have made the "Elite 8" in their divisions. In addition to the spectacle on the mats, if you're any type of a history buff you should enjoy looking at old memorabilia of Ohio State greats Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek in the hallways. If you listen closely, you can maybe even imagine the Buckeye marching band warming up for another fall season. I didn't attend OSU, but there's nothing like watching an unathletic sousaphone player dot the "I".