Potential Name Change for Long Island School Teams
Long Island school districts might retain a modified version of the “Thunderbird” team name, as it seems set to navigate around New York’s ban on Native American logos.
Connetquot’s team could be known as “T-Birds” if a proposed agreement with state legislators goes through.
“Last month, they didn’t allow it,” said Jaclyn Napolitano-Furno, who has been outspoken against any compromises.
“For four years, it’s been a contentious issue, and now it seems less so,” she added, reflecting on her connection as a 1996 graduate of the district.
Documents reviewed indicate that the state’s education department is open to accepting the shortened name in exchange for dropping ongoing legal actions related to the 2023 logo ban.
This ban could lead to a loss of state funds for schools across New York starting June 30, affecting non-compliant board members.
Connetquot, which already uses “T-Birds,” is involved in legal battles alongside other districts like Massapequa, where officials are also trying to keep their logos intact.
Support against the ban has come from various figures, including President Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, stressing potential federal policy violations.
“Now, at the last minute, it feels like there’s an attempt to appease the public,” Napolitano-Furno remarked.
Amidst the lawsuit, the district quietly informed New York that it has set aside over $23 million to change its logo.
“It seems illogical to change at this point, especially given the momentum surrounding the Department of Justice involvement,” she mentioned, as a mother of two children in Connetquot High School.
She also conveyed her reluctance to conform to the board’s pressure to agree to a compromise, emphasizing the need for legal backing.
“There comes a time when we have to stand firm—the state of New York has created quite the situation,” said Napolitano-Furno, a police officer from Nassau County, expressing her skepticism about the deal being overly influenced by public opinion.
“We should be spending resources on more beneficial educational needs… We’ve been Thunderbirds for so long; it’s part of our identity,” she continued.
On a related note, her attorney Oliver Roberts, representing Massapequa, mentioned that Napolitano-Furno may be excluded from the new deal. He warned that further legal challenges could arise from both the board and community members.
“It’s unfortunate that the state appears to be colluding with the local school board in this questionable arrangement,” he added, signaling their intent to continue pursuing their case in court.
The discussion also follows calls from the Shinnecock nation for the town of Southampton to remove certain seals from government buildings.
Meanwhile, the Native American Guardians Association, which has joined the fight against the logo ban, intends to explore more legal avenues to ensure better representation of Indigenous people.
Naga adviser Chap Petersen indicated that the group is reviewing all legal options regarding New York schools that impact Native American representation.
Additionally, Napolitano-Furno recounted a speech she had given at her high school graduation earlier this year, emphasizing the significance of the Thunderbird symbol. “It was a powerful moment. The Thunderbird symbolizes strength and respect—everyone was really moved by it,” she said.
