Administrators at a public university in California have announced that they will be transitioning their “Aztec Warrior” mascot into a “Spirit Warrior” after conducting a “task force” about the cultural identity of the mascot.
According to a report provided to the San Diego State University Senate, university officials have decided that the school’s mascot will retain the name “Aztec Warrior,” but will undergo substantial changes in both demeanor and behavior in an effort to avoid offending Aztec culture.
“The Aztec Warrior, similarly a source of pride for the collective majority, will be retained, but as Spirit Leader, not mascot,” said SDSU President Sally Roush. “There will be immediate and visible changes in demeanor to achieve a respectful portrayal of a powerful figure from Aztec culture.”
Additionally, university officials also told a local newspaper that there would be guidelines on how the Spirit Leader will conduct itself during school events, including eliminating previous game day traditions designed to excite the crowd during sporting events.
“We just expect a much more dignified and appropriate demeanor from that person,” said Roush. “You won’t see the Aztec Warrior doing pushups in the endzone. You won’t see the Aztec Warrior dancing with the cheerleaders.”
In conducting their report, the school task force surveyed students, alumni, and members of the community for their opinions about the name “Aztec Warrior,” as well as whether or not they deemed the symbol to be a suitable mascot. Of the nearly 13,000 responses received, an overwhelming majority was in favor of keeping both the name and the symbol “Aztec Warrior” as a human mascot, and many threatened to take away school donations if it was changed.
“My daughter is currently a 3rd generation Aztec. I am Mexican with Indian blood and I have never felt any type of offense to the name Aztec. The word Aztec to me is a symbol of strength and pride, no more, no less,” said one anonymous respondent. “Should the Aztec identity be taken away, I for one will take away any future financial donations. Shame on the energy of the time trying to destroy our Aztec identity.”
Correction: An earlier headline misstated the mascot name change. It is “Spirit Leader,” not “Spirit Warrior.”
