By JONATHAN SWEET

Assistant Layout Editor

Almost two years after the decision to make the bobcat Bradley's mascot, the university still has no plans to market bobcat merchandise.

"The bobcat is our mascot. It's not considered a logo, and we are using the logo for merchandising," said Gary Anna, vice president for business affairs.

The athletic logo is a block "BU" with "Braves" superimposed across the front.

"The logo emphasizes the nickname Braves," Anna said. "There is a terrible amount of confusion between the mascot, the logo and the name, and we don't want to add to that confusion."

"We're not the Bradley Bobcats, we're the Bradley Braves. We have to be considerate to the confusion," he added.

Another reason not to market bobcat merchandise, according to Anna, is lack of demand.

"I haven't heard about people wanting bobcat merchandise, but there may be a few who do," he said.

Despite the confusion caused by the different nickname and mascot, there are no plans to make any changes in the near future, according to Anna.

"Our traditional nickname is the Braves, and the logo reflects that," he said. "The bobcat is the mascot that was chosen by the selection committee and Dr. Brazil to best portray the school."

President Brazil said he sees no reason for the logo or mascot to be changed.

"I have heard many more expressions of support than complaints," he said.

"There was just a small group of students who didn't like it. These were the students who wanted the Fighting Squirrels.

"The Fighting Squirrel is not appropriate (as a mascot) for a school of Bradley's stature," Brazil said.

He added that the Fighting Squirrel would also have been an "embarrassment" to the athletic teams.

According to Brazil, the students on the mascot selection committee were also against the "Fighting Squirrel."

The bobcat was chosen in November 1993 by President Brazil after being unanimously recommended by the mascot search committee, which included faculty and students.

The old mascot, Brad E. Lee, was a caricature of an American Indian that was retired during the 1986-87 season because it was regarded as racist and offensive. The university was without a mascot until the bobcat was chosen.

The nickname "Braves" also had been criticized and was the subject of five student forums in 1993 and a threatened lawsuit by American Indian activist Michael Haney.

As part of a compromise with Haney, the university adopted a 12-point plan to increase understanding of American Indian cultures and ideals in April 1993.