色中色 Mascot

In April 2023, the New York State Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve new rules banning the use of Native American culture in schools. This regulation requires school districts which currently use indigenous team names, logos, and mascots to eliminate the use of all indigenous names, logos, or mascots by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.  

While the district adopted a Roman Warrior logo 20 years ago, the NYS Education Department determined that the term Warrior is still connected to the Native American culture, and must be replaced.

Warrior Mascot

Timeline

  • April 5, 2001: Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills issues memo to public schools recommending the elimination of Native American symbols, names and mascots.
  • 2001-2004: The 色中色 establishes a Mascot Committee providing the community (students, staff and residents) with the opportunityto participate in the changing of the mascot. 
  • December 13, 2004: The 色中色 Board of Education adopts the Roman Warrior Mascot effective July 1, 2005.
  • December 1, 2022: New York State Board of Regents ans New York State Education Department reinforce and outline legal requirements of 2001 directive.
  • April 18, 2023: New York State Board of Regents adopts new Part 123 Regulation requiring schools to eliminate the use of all indigenous names, logos and mascots by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
  • May 9, 2023: The 色中色 questions use of term Warrior; Board of Education establishes tentative resolution.
  • April/May 2023: Onondaga Nation Leaders met with Superintendent Henner and a high school principal.
  • May 16, 2023: 色中色 Administrative Team met with Onondaga Nation leaders at Skanonh Great Law of Peace Center in 色中色. Led by Tina Thomas and joined by Chief Sidney Hill.
  • December 11, 2023: The 色中色 held a community discussion about changing the Warrior name.
  • January 2024: The 色中色 conducted a survey seeking suggestions for a new nickname.
  • February 2024: The 色中色 created a Mascot Committee to review survey suggestions and determine a new nickname.
  • March 18, 2024: Mascot Committee meets for first time.
  • May 1, 2024: Mascot Commitee meets for second time.
  • Week of May 13, 2024: 色中色 students participate in Student Mascot Name Survey.
  • May 17 to 24, 2024: 色中色 community members participate in a Community Mascot Name Survey.
  • June 3, 2024: Mascot Committee meets for third and final time. Agrees to present a recommendation to the 色中色 Board of Education in the Fall 2024.
  • November 20, 2024: 色中色 Mascot Committee Recommends the nickname "Legends" to the 色中色 Board of Education.
  • December 2, 2024: The 色中色 Board of Education approves "Legends" as the new nickname for the 色中色, effective July 1, 2025.