Valparaiso to get rid of their Crusader nickname & mascot

[Da Coach]

The nickname "Crusaders" has been used by many high schools, junior colleges, and 4-year colleges, but one by one, many of them have discarded the name because some find it offensive. Valparaiso University and Holy Cross College are the only 2 remaining Division I schools with the Crusaders nickname and mascot. It has been rumored for the last year or two that Valparaiso might be considering a change, and today the Interim President of the University officially announced they will be "retiring" the Crusader nickname and mascot. They did not name a replacement, and will probably allow the next incoming President and administration to complete that task.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/subur...mvy-story.html
https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/coll...833d7f820.html

Valparaiso Crusader mascot-


Holy Cross has gotten a lot of pressure to change their name and mascot in recent years, in February, 2018, their Board of Trustees took a stand and voted to retain both the Crusaders name and their Knight mascot-
https://www.telegram.com/news/201802...ickname-mascot

But that decision caused some backlash, and just a month later the University President walked back their decision and announced that Holy Cross would be dropping their Knight mascot because it “inevitably ties us directly to the reality of the religious wars and the violence of the Crusades.”
The President further stated that “Over the coming months, the college will gradually phase out the use of all knight-related imagery.”
However, despite the promise to get rid of all knight-related imagery, Holy Cross switched their primary logo to an interlocking H and C on a shield, and their secondary logo still shows a stylized knight, and they kept the Crusaders nickname.
https://www.telegram.com/news/201803...crusaders-name

Holy Cross Crusader mascot (deleted)- and logos (current)

[Tommy]

I can't tell you what a relief this is to me. I've spent many a sleepless night tossing and turning wondering how a civilized culture could have a mascot, A MASCOT, that appears to be a knight! Imagine my horror to find that on top of this travesty they actually called this knight a 'Crusader'!

Let's hope that we can continue to make great changes to mascots moving forward and find that place of perfect love and harmony that we all desire. It's hard to believe some universities had the AUDACITY to have indians, yes, INDIANS as their mascot. Thank goodness the wisdom of education has freed us from this tyranny.

Next up - world peace!

[Da Coach]

I agree with you, Tommy. Next, we need to continue our purge, and eliminate all the other frightening and offensive nicknames and mascots.
I find the name "Redbirds" to be highly offensive and sexist. Did you know that only the male Cardinal is actually red? The female is a drab olive-brown color. This is the definition of a sexist nickname and mascot. How is this allowed in our enlightened society? Why do they allow the ISU women's teams to be called "Redbirds"? And why are they allowed to wear red?


And what about the Loyola "Ramblers"? Anyone who ever owned a Rambler knows what I am talking about. That is about as offensive as it gets.
And of course, how can we allow Evansville to have a mascot who is a gambler named "Ace Purple"? He is too male, too white, and too macho. He is frightening to children, and promotes an immoral gambling lifestyle.

And after we get rid of those unacceptable names and mascots, we can move on to the poor animals and plants who suffer because of the degrading stereotypes portrayed by the Bulldogs, Panthers, Bears, Salukis, and Sycamores.

It seems the only acceptable name in the MVC now is the Bradley Braves. "Braves", now that it has been cleansed of any and all connection to indigenous inhabitants, now personifies an admirable personality trait that we all should embrace, and is neither sexist, offensive, or threatening.

[Tommy]

HAHA! All great points, Coach.

Best point made was:

...
I find the name "Redbirds" to be highly offensive and sexist. Did you know that only the male Cardinal is actually red? The female is a drab olive-brown color. This is the definition of a sexist nickname and mascot.

Please start the petition immediately. I'll be the first in line to sign my name, along with my 100 aliases.

[Bradley3342]

I can't tell you what a relief this is to me. I've spent many a sleepless night tossing and turning wondering how a civilized culture could have a mascot, A MASCOT, that appears to be a knight! Imagine my horror to find that on top of this travesty they actually called this knight a 'Crusader'!

Let's hope that we can continue to make great changes to mascots moving forward and find that place of perfect love and harmony that we all desire. It's hard to believe some universities had the AUDACITY to have indians, yes, INDIANS as their mascot. Thank goodness the wisdom of education has freed us from this tyranny.

Next up - world peace!

Amen Tommy!!!!

[Bradley3342]

I agree with you, Tommy. Next, we need to continue our purge, and eliminate all the other frightening and offensive nicknames and mascots.
I find the name "Redbirds" to be highly offensive and sexist. Did you know that only the male Cardinal is actually red? The female is a drab olive-brown color. This is the definition of a sexist nickname and mascot. How is this allowed in our enlightened society? Why do they allow the ISU women's teams to be called "Redbirds"? And why are they allowed to wear red?

And what about the Loyola "Ramblers"? Anyone who ever owned a Rambler knows what I am talking about. That is about as offensive as it gets.
And of course, how can we allow Evansville to have a mascot who is a gambler named "Ace Purple"? He is too male, too white, and too macho. He is frightening to children, and promotes an immoral gambling lifestyle.

And after we get rid of those unacceptable names and mascots, we can move on to the poor animals and plants who suffer because of the degrading stereotypes portrayed by the Bulldogs, Panthers, Bears, Salukis, and Sycamores.

It seems the only acceptable name in the MVC now is the Bradley Braves. "Braves", now that it has been cleansed of any and all connection to indigenous inhabitants, now personifies an admirable personality trait that we all should embrace, and is neither sexist, offensive, or threatening.

So true! It is all so ridiculous!!!!

[Kroos]

I agree with you, Tommy. Next, we need to continue our purge, and eliminate all the other frightening and offensive nicknames and mascots.
I find the name "Redbirds" to be highly offensive and sexist. Did you know that only the male Cardinal is actually red? The female is a drab olive-brown color. This is the definition of a sexist nickname and mascot. How is this allowed in our enlightened society? Why do they allow the ISU women's teams to be called "Redbirds"? And why are they allowed to wear red?

And what about the Loyola "Ramblers"? Anyone who ever owned a Rambler knows what I am talking about. That is about as offensive as it gets.
And of course, how can we allow Evansville to have a mascot who is a gambler named "Ace Purple"? He is too male, too white, and too macho. He is frightening to children, and promotes an immoral gambling lifestyle.

And after we get rid of those unacceptable names and mascots, we can move on to the poor animals and plants who suffer because of the degrading stereotypes portrayed by the Bulldogs, Panthers, Bears, Salukis, and Sycamores.

It seems the only acceptable name in the MVC now is the Bradley Braves. "Braves", now that it has been cleansed of any and all connection to indigenous inhabitants, now personifies an admirable personality trait that we all should embrace, and is neither sexist, offensive, or threatening.

THIS IS HILARIOUS!

[basketball nut]

In light of everything going on right now with the program these post have been a nice alternative. I love the Redbirds idea, you would probably get several thousand votes right around here.

[Da Coach]

It looks like the administration at Valparaiso University has narrowed their selection of replacement nicknames to 8 finalists-

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1403012988743806977

Storm
Beacons
Gold
Sparks
Lightning
Tempest
Dunehawks
Lightning Hawks

Am I missing something? Why so many weather-related nicknames? (Storm, Lightning, Tempest, Lightning Hawks)
I have no idea what a Dunehawk is, but it is the only truly unique nickname among the 8 finalists, so I like it. And, no surprise, that seems to be the one most Valpo fans are backing on social media.
The name Lightning Hawks seems like 2 nicknames combined into 1, and neither are very original.
A few of the others are nicknames ripped from the WNBA (Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks) and the NHL (Tampa Bay Lightning).

[GoBU!]

Do we really have to do this every time a mascot or name change comes up? I can't imagine how you old farts will react if/when the Braves change their name. None of these names are offensive to me personally, but I am able to understand that there are others with different experiences and views than mine. And does this really impact you in any way? All you guys are really doing is complaining about change.

[bradleyfan124]

Do we really have to do this every time a mascot or name change comes up? I can't imagine how you old farts will react if/when the Braves change their name. None of these names are offensive to me personally, but I am able to understand that there are others with different experiences and views than mine. And does this really impact you in any way? All you guys are really doing is complaining about change.

Ohhhhh! Somebody needs a hug.

[Tommy]

Do we really have to do this every time a mascot or name change comes up? I can't imagine how you old farts will react if/when the Braves change their name. None of these names are offensive to me personally, but I am able to understand that there are others with different experiences and views than mine. And does this really impact you in any way? All you guys are really doing is complaining about change.

This is a forum for BU basketball. The information provided concerns a basketball team within our own conference, but even if it wasn't within our conference, Coach posts info concerning all things college basketball. I really don't see the problem with this. If the subject matter or conversation bother someone, they always have the option to ignore it. Nobody is forcing anyone to read anything they don't want to.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

This is a forum for BU basketball. The information provided concerns a basketball team within our own conference, but even if it wasn't within our conference, Coach posts info concerning all things college basketball. I really don't see the problem with this. If the subject matter or conversation bother someone, they always have the option to ignore it. Nobody is forcing anyone to read anything they don't want to.

Right Tommy. I've noticed a certain age segment of the population demands everything be 100% their way and, when it's not, they whine and complain and blame it on the Boomers... Entitlement... NOT!

Sorry, the world doesn't work that way. When you don't like or agree with something just scroll past it and move on. Why do these "youngsters" have to always impose their thoughts and beliefs on the rest of us? News Flash: WE DON'T CARE!

[Cousins Cuts podcast]

The only reason that I agree that they didn't need to change the name is because no one alive today has been directly affected by the crusades. So what they were violent. So is the army and everything to do with it but because it's happening now people tone it out. It was just wars that went on 100s of years ago. Plus that old mascot was easily 2nd in the valley. Of course kaboom is no. 1

[Dub]

I agree with you, Tommy. Next, we need to continue our purge, and eliminate all the other frightening and offensive nicknames and mascots.
I find the name "Redbirds" to be highly offensive and sexist. Did you know that only the male Cardinal is actually red? The female is a drab olive-brown color. This is the definition of a sexist nickname and mascot. How is this allowed in our enlightened society? Why do they allow the ISU women's teams to be called "Redbirds"? And why are they allowed to wear red?

DC is on to something with the Redbirds discovery. They choose Redbirds, but then clearly selected the male of the species to represent them visually. Why? Despite being a gendered decision (not good), why wouldn’t the female of the species be a good choice?… and I truly wonder if this was even considered. How do the female athletes at ISU feel about this decision in 2021? This needs to be reviewed by the league, and if ISU needs any guidance on how to do it right, they can look no further than the University of Delaware and their Blue Hens.

I recommend: the Illinois State University Olive-Brown Hens