Irondequoit athletes will soar, like Eagles

Linda Quinlan/Messenger Post Staff
November 21, 2001
 
The school's traditional "Indians" will be succeeded by a new, patriotic mascot name.

Controversy over a new mascot name for the West Irondequoit School District may be winding 
down.

With 3,692 votes cast through Nov. 15, and ballots verified, Eagles has emerged the winner 
of a three-month-long process to select a new mascot for the district.

In deference to a strongly-worded State Education Department suggestion, the district's 
Board of Education voted to retire the longtime "Indians" mascot in August, because some say 
it can be offensive to Native Americans.

More than 180 entries for new mascot names poured in - and were narrowed to five by a name 
selection committee. It was those five names on which all students (K-12), staff, community 
residents, and alumni voted on earlier this month.

"That was determined as part of the process, that anyone who worked, lived, or attended 
school in the district could vote," Irondequoit High School Principal Jeff Crane said.

Eagles came out on top with 1,135 votes, followed by Bayhawks with 804; Raptors with 678; 
Iron Eagles with 652; and Pride with 423.

This year's seniors, the class of 2002, will retain the Indians name until it is formally 
retired next spring. The new name will officially be adopted then.

While "disgusted with the whole thing," Dee Tuschong, who has lived in Irondequoit for 54 
years, said she didn't understand why teachers were allowed to vote, because many of them 
don't live in the district.

"It doesn't make sense to me," she said.

She did favor the Eagles name.

"I liked Bayhawks because it was original," Irondequoit High School senior Francesca Magri 
said, "but I like Eagles a lot, too. It still has that Native American symbolism of the 
feather."

Senior Angela Aratari voted for Eagles.

"I like the fact it can reflect back to the Indians. Their culture respects eagles a lot, 
so the mascot name still has something to do with Native American culture," Angela said.

"The eagle is one of the most revered aspects of Native American culture," district 
spokeswoman Teresa Werth said. "I think the new name has some interesting potential."

Those who submitted the name Eagles - about 80 of the original 180 entries - gave the 
following reasons:
·  When combined with "Irondequoit," it has good word flow and reflects national pride.
·  An eagle is a soaring, dominant bird with a piercing gaze that creates the perception 
of a formidable competitor.
·  Eagles are strong, grand, stately, rare, regal, and breathtaking.
·  Eagles symbolize power, fortitude, and success, both academically and athletically.
·  Their survival from near extinction speaks for itself.

The district's athletic director, Dennis Fries, said that with 84 athletic teams in grade 
seven through 12, the earliest "Irondequoit Eagles" will be seen on team uniforms will be 
next fall. Uniforms are currently replaced on a rotation basis, which will not change as 
a result of the new name, he said. 

The district does not have the funds to replace uniforms all at once, Werth said.

Fries said that students seemed to "go about their business" when the new name was 
announced Monday afternoon.

Crane said he heard some cheers outside his office door.

"I also think a lot of emotion has been played out as we've gotten to this point," Crane 
said.

"I know a lot of students still feel loyal to 'Indians.' I think Eagles will take a while 
to get used to," student council president Jamie Gentile said.

"But it's such a proud symbol," she added. "I think it will be a good representation for 
our school."

"I wanted Bayhawks, but I think Eagles fits more for this time (in history), with the 
patriotism of the symbol," senior Geoff Sanderson said.

"It wasn't my personal choice, but I'm happy with the decision," junior Mark Johnson said, 
who had favored "Pride."

Teacher Steve Schockow turned the voting process at Dake Junior High last Wednesday, Nov. 14, 
into a learning experience.

He had the voting machines set up in his social studies classroom and stationed student 
volunteers to "sign in" voters as he explained how the machine worked.

"This is a good educational opportunity," Schockow said.

Voters in just one 15-minute period were favoring all but one of the names.

"I like Bayhawks because it sounds good," Emily Eckrich said.

"I like Iron Eagles because the first four letters represent Irondequoit," seventh-grader 
Mike DeCook said.

"I like Raptors because they're strong and good fighters," eighth-grader Roger Lane, 13, 
said.

"I like Eagles because it's shorter," Rachel Carstens said. "Plus, it's better than the 
rest of the choices."

"I like Eagles because it's, like, strong for our country," eighth-grader Shanna Baccari 
said.

There are a handful of teams in the western New York region with Eagles mascots, Fries 
said, but none in the Monroe County League. 

"The closest one, I think, is Midlakes, which has the Screamin' Eagles," he said.

The next step in the renaming process will be a logo competition, which will take place in 
January.

Since Francesca and Geoff are both art students, each is considering submitting a design.

Those interested in submitting a design for the competition may direct it to Robert Geroux, 
Irondequoit High School art department, 260 Cooper Road, Irondequoit, 14617.

Designs should include school colors (royal blue and gold) in a format no larger than 12 
inches by 16 inches and should include the name, address, and phone number of the artist. 

©Irondequoit Post 2001