Ethan Walker
Mascots are an integral part of school spirit and sports teams in Catholic schools across the United States. While animal mascots like eagles, tigers, bulldogs, and panthers are popular, religious symbolism and Native American references have also been prevalent in Catholic school mascots, sparking debates and calls for change. Some Catholic schools have moved away from Native-themed mascots, but others have retained them, arguing for the significance of understanding the embodied qualities. This topic explores the history, controversies, and evolving nature of mascots in Catholic educational institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals | Eagles, Tigers, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dolphins, St. Bernards, Rams, Birds, Cats, Shetlands, Badgers, Griffins, Demons, Blue Devils, Red Devils, Red Storm, Valkyries, Bears, Fighting Irish Leprechauns, Crusaders, Vikings, etc. |
| Anthropomorphic | Johnny Thunderbird, Bernie the St. Bernard, Sir Billy the Crusader |
| Religious | Saints, Demons, Crusaders, Friars, Demon Deacons, Fighting Irish, Fighting Catholics |
| Native American | Indians, Braves, Warriors, Redmen |
| Other | Jesuits, Johnnies, Dukes, Red Devils, Quakers, Bishops, Angels, Evangelicals, Deacons, Jasper |
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What You'll Learn
Native American mascots
In 2015, it was reported that at least 15 US Catholic high schools had Native-themed mascots, with figures based on a list compiled by Notre Dame students and updated by Uhl and the American Indian Catholic Schools Network. This number has since decreased by about half. However, Native-themed mascots and logos were once a common feature of US schools, including Catholic institutions.
The use of Native-themed mascots has been criticised for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and causing distress to Indigenous people, with Native American boarding schools, many of which were run by Catholic institutions, being described as having "caused historic trauma". Maka Black Elk, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation and executive director for truth and healing at Red Cloud Indian School, stated that mascots are the "bare minimum" that needs to change to begin conversations around healing.
Some Catholic schools have taken steps to address these concerns by removing Native American imagery and symbols. For example, St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, previously known as the "Indians", is considering changing its name. Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, ended its 50-year association with the name "Indians" in 2015. Similarly, Blanchet High School in Seattle changed its team name from the "Braves" to the "Bears" after Washington state banned the use of Native American names, symbols, and images in most public schools.
However, some schools have resisted changing their mascots. For instance, Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana, kept the name "Warriors" while removing its headdress logo. Paul Mullaney, the school president, stated that being called the Warriors does not necessarily mean the entity is Native-themed, and that they want their graduates to be "warriors for peace, warriors for social justice, [and] warriors for the sanctity of life."
The topic of Native American mascots in Catholic schools is complex and multifaceted, with debates ongoing about the appropriateness of such imagery and the need for cultural sensitivity and awareness.
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Animal mascots
Some Catholic schools have chosen birds as their mascots, such as the Catholic University Cardinal, which is a reference to the school's colours of red and black, and the clerical, red hat-wearing cardinal. Another bird mascot is the red thunderbird named "Johnny" from St. John's, originally known as the “Redmen”, a term now interpreted as an offensive slur.
Dog breeds also feature as mascots, with the St. Bernard being a popular choice. The Siena St. Bernard, or "Bernie", has been the mascot of Siena College since 1989. The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, also has a St. Bernard dog as their mascot.
Other animal mascots include the dolphin, which is the mascot of Le Moyne, and the ram, which is the mascot of SMU, with a live ram mascot named Ramses representing the school.
While animals are a common choice for mascots, Catholic schools have also been criticised for their use of Native-themed mascots, which are now seen as inappropriate and harmful. Several Catholic schools have moved away from this practice, but some continue to use Indigenous nicknames and mascots.
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Religious mascots
Mascots are an integral part of sports teams, serving as symbols that foster community and representing desired qualities such as strength, courage, aggression, and endurance. While the most popular mascots are animals, religious symbolism in mascots is also prevalent, especially in Catholic schools.
History of Native Mascots in Catholic Schools
For a long time, Catholic schools in the United States used Native-themed mascots, which many now recognize as a "painful tradition." These mascots, often coupled with inappropriate behaviours and racist stereotypes, perpetuated harmful stereotypes and contributed to the historic trauma experienced by Indigenous people. In recent years, there has been a push to discontinue this practice, with at least 21 states taking action to address Native-themed mascots in K-12 public schools. As a result, several Catholic schools have abandoned their Native-themed mascots and logos, opting for more culturally sensitive alternatives.
Examples of Religious Mascots in Catholic Schools
- Saints: This is a popular choice for Catholic schools, with many teams having a St. Bernard dog as their mascot, often portrayed by a costumed performer. Examples include Aquinas College, Mt. Hood Community College, and North Country Community College.
- Crusaders: While some view this mascot as inappropriate due to the violent nature of the Crusades, it is still used by several Catholic institutions, including Holy Cross College and Cathedral High School.
- Angels: This mascot represents positivity and is used by schools like Meredith College.
- Demons: DePaul University's athletic teams were once called the "D-men," which evolved into "Demons." Their mascot, DIBS, stands for Demon in a Blue Suit.
- Dolphins: Le Moyne College's Dolphin mascot has been around since the 1970s and symbolizes a desire for knowledge.
- The Duquesne Duke: The Duquesne Duke represents privilege and distinction and pays homage to the Marquis Du Quesne, who brought Catholic observances to Pittsburgh.
- Johnnies: St. John's University's mascot, Johnny Thunderbird, is a red thunderbird and a reference to early 20th-century athletes nicknamed "Johnnies."
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Human mascots
One notable example of a human mascot is the "Fighting Irish Leprechaun" of Notre Dame, which is well-known and recognised for its unique and imaginative design. The Fighting Irish moniker dates back to the use of "Irish" as a derogatory term for Catholics, carrying stereotypes of ignorance and brutality. The leprechaun mascot embodies this spirit, representing the university's athletic teams with a fierce and feisty character.
St. John's, formerly known as the "Redmen," a term considered offensive to Native Americans, transitioned to the Red Storm in 1994. They later introduced "Johnny," a red thunderbird mascot, embodying school spirit with a reference to early 20th-century athletes known as "Johnnies."
The Duquesne Duke, representing the prestigious Duquesne University, is another distinguished human mascot. The nickname "Duke" dates back to 1911, honouring the French Canadian governor, Marquis Du Quesne, who brought Catholic observances to Pittsburgh.
The DePaul Blue Demons of DePaul University provide an interesting insight into the evolution of mascots. Initially, the athletic teams had red uniforms with a large "D," leading to the name "D-men." Over time, this transformed into "Demons," and with a change to blue uniforms, the DePaul Blue Demons were born.
Some Catholic schools have chosen animal mascots with human performers, such as the St. Bernard dog "Bernie" of Siena College, nicknamed "The Saints." This costumed tradition has been a part of the school since 1989, with occasional updates to the mascot's appearance.
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Offensive mascots
Mascots are an important part of school culture and are often a source of pride and spirit for students and alumni. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to address and replace offensive mascots, particularly those that appropriate and harm Indigenous cultures. This trend is also seen in Catholic schools, many of which have historically used Native-themed mascots.
One such example is St. John's, which was once known as the "Redmen," a term interpreted as an offensive slur towards Native Americans. While the name originally referred to the red uniforms worn by St. John's athletes, the school also used a mascot dressed in a Native American costume during the 1960s. Recognizing the harm caused by this appropriation, St. John's officially changed its name to the Red Storm in 1994 and later introduced "Johnny," a red thunderbird mascot, to embody school spirit in a more anthropomorphic form.
Similarly, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, ended its 50-year association with the name "Indians" in 2015. Following a state ban on the use of Native American names, symbols, and images in public schools, the school made the necessary changes, and the former Braves of Blanchet High School in Seattle became known as the "Bears."
Another Catholic school, Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana, abandoned its headdress logo but retained the "Warriors" nickname, opting for a more general interpretation. These decisions reflect a growing awareness of the negative impact of Native-themed mascots on Indigenous communities, perpetuating stereotypes and reducing their culture to disposable and cartoonish imagery.
While there is resistance to change, often due to the financial burden and pressure from alumni, many Catholic schools are taking steps towards reconciliation and cultural sensitivity. Native American boarding schools, a significant number of which were run by Catholic institutions, have caused historic trauma for Indigenous people, and moving away from offensive mascots is seen as a step in the healing process.
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