New nickname in store for South Bend Saint Joseph 'Indians?' Committee to consider moniker

SOUTH BEND — Saint Joseph High School, a private diocesan institution in the city since 1953, has established an evaluation committee to consider replacing its "Indians" nickname and mascot, according to a letter sent Tuesday to members of the Saint Joe community.

Schools officials confirmed the letter Tuesday afternoon and plan to host virtual and in-person forums next month to address its current Native-American oriented nickname and whether it should be changed. Many other high schools, colleges and even professional teams throughout the country have done just that over the past two decades amongst growing criticism that such nicknames are derogatory and disrespectful to Native-Americans.

"Our school board engaged in some research and discussion and that led to a vote in which the school board voted to initiate this process," Principal John Kennedy told The Tribune Tuesday. "Some of what we learned will be relevant to the committee work and will be shared out through the committee."

The letter was signed by Kennedy, School Board President Maura Ratigan and Adam Gill, a 2002 graduate and chairperson of the evaluation committee made up of students, alumni, faculty/staff and parents.

Input from community members and leaders of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians will also be considered during the process, according to the letter, though it is not clear if the forums will be open to the general public

. The committee is expected to make a recommendation to the school board by May. If it's determined a change is needed, a second phase of choosing a new nickname and mascot will begin, the letter stated.

It's the second time an area school has considered a nickname/mascot change. Goshen High School, for decades identified as the "Redskins," formed a similar committee that in 2015 decided to retire the name and likeness effective Jan. 1, 2016. Goshen is now known as the RedHawks.

Saint Joseph has organized two town hall dates — an in-person session on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre and a virtual session on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. Though the town halls are said to be open to the public, only "Saint Joe community members" were sent invites.

"The specifics of the town hall meeting are still being reviewed," Kennedy said. "We plan to send communications to our mailing list, which includes members of the Saint Joe community. We are interested in hearing from people who have a vested interest in the future of Saint Joe."

The 13-member committee includes:

• Henry Chandler, a 1967 graduate and former teacher

• Ben Dillon, a 1986 graduate and current teacher

• Maggie Dosch, a 2017 graduate

• Aneglica Duarte, a parent and current staff member

• Adam Gill, 2002 gradauet and committee chair

• Lynn Goralczyk, a current teacher

• Marty Harshman, a 1993 graduate and former coach

• Eric Horvath, a 1987 graduate

• Father Geoff Mooney, the current school chaplain

• Michael Ryan, a 1960 graduate

• Sydney Storey, a 2007 graduate and former coach

• Two current students yet to be name

Kennedy said he determined the two current students through an internal process, but did not release the names.

"We value the great tradition of Saint Joe and the passion and love that our students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff have for our school,"Kennedy said in a press release. "Throughout this process we will seek God’s wisdom and guidance. In the spirit of our core valueBuild Family, it is our hope that the process will foster unity and strength representative of our patron saint, St. Joseph."

Kennedy, Ratigan and Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend David Maugel will be consulting non-voting members on the committee.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Saint Joseph High School may drop Indians mascot