Illinois won an appeal in November to keep its nickname after demonstrating the use of Fighting Illini was not a direct Indian reference. School officials argued the term also referred to veterans from World War I.
But Friday's decision still bans Illinois from using its mascot, Chief Illiniwek, and other Indian images at postseason games. The school also cannot host tournament games.
Chief Illiniwek, a student dressed in buckskins, dances at halftime of regular-season home football and basketball games and other athletic contests.
"By branding an 80-year tradition `hostile and abusive,' the NCAA inappropriately defames generations of Illinoisans and University of Illinois supporters," Illinois board of trustees chairman Lawrence Eppley said.
Bradley, nicknamed the Braves, stopped using a mascot and Indian imagery about 10 years ago -- a move NCAA officials applauded. That helped Bradley avoid immediate penalties, but it now faces NCAA monitoring of its nickname and imagery at games, on campus and on web sites.
It was the second and final appeal for all four schools.
Brand would not say whether the schools could file more appeals if they produce more evidence. The schools do have one additional option - in court.
"There's always an opportunity for institutions to seek remedies in the courts," Brand said. "But be assured, the NCAA feels very confident in its decision and will defend it (the policy) to the utmost."
Seven of the original 18 schools on the offenders list remain there. Three others have cases pending, including the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. Nicknamed the Tribe, William and Mary was added to the list in October after submitting an evaluation and has requested an extension because of administrative changes.
Five schools have agreed to change or have changed their nicknames already and four others won appeals -- warranting the removal of all nine schools.
