JONESBORO (11/10/07) ? The Arkansas State University Athletics Department announced Saturday that it will hold a special salute to its long-time mascot, the Indian Family, at halftime of the football team's 2007 home finale Nov. 15 against North Texas.

The salute will pay tribute to an integral part of ASU's proud history as the Indian Family will make its final appearance at Indian Stadium as the University's official mascot for the last time.

ASU will proudly continue to use its Indians' nickname and Indian Family mascot throughout the remainder of the 2007-08 athletic seasons, but will hold an official retirement of the nickname and mascot this spring at one of its basketball games.  ASU is currently in the process of changing its nickname and mascot in order to be compliant with the NCAA's policy on the use of Native American nicknames and imagery.

The ASU mascot is a trio of Indian-attired students popularly known as the Indian Family.  Chief Big Track (named after the legendary chief of the Osage tribe which occupied Northeast Arkansas) is the head of the Family, which also consists of an unnamed princess and unnamed brave.

The “Family”, which had been dormant for some time, was resurrected when Barry Dowd took over as ASU's Director of Athletics in March 1996.  Since 1952, the Indian Family has represented the University and its athletic programs in a stately and dignified manner benefitting the Indian tribes which once lived in the area.

ASU's game against North Texas will kickoff at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday and will be televised by ESPN Regional.  ASU needs two victories over its final three games to become bowl eligible for the third consecutive season.