Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Two Western New York school districts have selected new mascots months after New York State banned districts from using Native American names and imagery.
"Our committee last night unveiled our new name. Beginning next year,
Tonawanda will be the Timberwolves, " said Tim Oldenburg, Superintendent
of Tonawanda City Schools.
Oldenburg explained that the process began with a period of open submissions from the public. "The community submitted names and rationale and believe it or not, Timberwolves was the second most submitted suggestion."
From there, it was narrowed down to 12 semifinalists that went to an online vote.
"Timberwolves was the number one choice of the community with nearly 16-hundred total votes. Then it went to the student body and the Timberwolves name out on top with nearly 50% of the vote," he added.
Oldenburg said as much as the district is excited about the path forward, the work now begins.
"We need to change everything from athletic uniforms, our fields and basketball courts," he said, "to scoreboards, and other branding in our buildings. We'll begin to make that change over the next year."
Iroquois Central selects Red Hawks
Officials with Iroquois Central Schools also announced this week that they have finalized a mascot. "We're going to be renamed the Red Hawks, Superintendent Doug Scofield told WBEN on Wednesday. The district is currently the "Chiefs."
The next step in the process is to select a logo. They will be accepting design submissions through Jan. 31.
"We had a period of time when anyone could submit a name. We received over 300. Our committee narrowed that down to 25. The public voted to get it down to the top 5. Red Hawks received over 75% of the vote," noted Scofield. He said over a thousand people voted both times.
"Everything was peaceful and respectful. We wanted to honor and respect the Chiefs, and if it meant changing the name, the community stood behind it."
While it is a New York State directive to change mascots. the state is not offering any aid or funding to support the effort.
