San Diego, CA (special) -- The midwestern college team took the field. As cheerleaders in yarmulkes and tallisim did somersaults, a yell leader wearing a kittel began a counting cheer. "Two! Four! Six! Eight!" he intoned, as the official mascot for the Midwestern "Jews" -- a "rabbi" whose face was decorated with a long fake beard and exaggerated payis - began an elaborate ritual of counting gold pieces. 

"That's what Jews do," a fan in the stands asserted excitedly.

Now before anyone rushes to telephone the Anti-Defamation League, or the Jewish Defense League, or starts composing letters of protest to their congressmen, wait a second. There is no such team, no such mascot -- thank God! 

But if for a moment you were offended by the thought of Jews being stereotyped and treated like mascots, then lend your ear and sympathy to the cries of Native Americans who are calling for an end to the use of tribal names to identify teams.

Whether those teams be the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, San Diego State Aztecs, Washington Redskins or any other organization which reduces a people to a caricature, we Jews should ally our voices with those of Native Americans.

In the heated controversy over whether San Diego State should drop its Aztec nickname and its "Monty Montezuma" mascot, it makes sense to separate these questions. First, should the university continue to refer to its students as the Aztecs? Second, should there continue to be a Monty Montezuma mascot who runs around on athletic fields pretending to be on the warpath?

Defenders of Monty Montezuma say the mascot and his derivative logo image are traditions. That may be so, but not all traditions are worth maintaining.

Once it was a "tradition" that women were not permitted to vote. Another "tradition" required African-Americans and Caucasians to use separate bathrooms and drinking fountains in the South. There was a "tradition," under a rigid quota system, that only a handful of Jews were permitted to attend any university.. Another "tradition" said neither African Americans nor Jews could purchase property in La Jolla. 

In the name of human dignity, the 'Monty Montezuma' tradition should go the way of these others.

But what about the name "Aztec"? Should it be dropped as well? That really depends on the purposes for which the name is utilized. If it is the intention of San Diego State University to associate itself with an advanced indigenous civilization whose people were great builders and scientists, then the name "Aztec" is a tribute. In such an instance, one would expect that, as an academic institution, the university would intensify its efforts to teach San Diegans about the many aspects of that civilization -- examining its weaknesses as well as its strengths.

If retaining the Aztec name is simply intended to make it easier for sports writers to write colorfully about sports contests, then there's not much point to it. Sports writers have a way of reaching for convenient metaphors: every football game will continue to be an invitation for them to utilize old cliches about Native Americans. 

There has been some debate over whether Native American groups really have standing in this controversy. Through intermarriage, Aztecs and their Spanish conquerors were incorporated into a proud new people -- the Mexicans. Some local Mexican-American organizations have stated that they are the true successors of the Aztecs. Further, they say, they are very proud of the San Diego State Aztecs, and don't want the nickname changed.

A compromise appears to be in the offing. One well-informed source tells me it is quite possible that San Diego State University president Steve Weber ultimately will decide to drop the mascot while retaining the name "Aztec."

Before Weber decides, he is awaiting the results of the balloting by the overall student body, which took place this week, and the opinion of SDSU's Academic Senate, which is expected to vote on the matter later in the year. 

Weber incidentally serves as a member of the board of directors for the Peres Peace Center created by former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres.

We expect colleges and universities to be in the vanguard--not the rear guard--in the march towards tolerance, diversity and multi-culturalism.

As it is, it has been a high school, not a university, in the San Diego County area that has been worthy of our admiration and accolades in this regard.

One of the most touching news stories that I have read in a long time appeared in last Sunday's San Diego Union-Tribune. Sherry Parmet reported that Nicole Brobeck, a 17-year-old with a winning smile and cerebral palsy, has become a cheerleader for Torrey Pines High School.

It used to be a "tradition" that cheerleaders were people who could jump high -- something which Nicole cannot do.

But Nicole can enthusiastically yell, "Let's go Torrey, let's go!" and she can dazzle you with that infectious smile. Today, seated on a mechanized scooter, Nicole takes her position on the cheerleading squad front and center, and Torrey Pines students, faculty and alumni have a real reason to be proud. Theirs is a school that is leading the way to America's promise.