Connetquot School Board Changes Team Name Amid Controversy
The Connetquot School Board made a close decision on Tuesday to alter the team name originally associated with Native American heritage. This change comes as part of a compromise arrangement with state officials in New York.
In a 3-2 vote, the committee decided to adopt “T-birds” as a shortened version of the former nickname, which had faced numerous objections from various community members and federal representatives.
During the meeting, Vice President April Ianniteri supported the decision, arguing that shortening the name doesn’t erase the school’s Thunderbird legacy, which has been a part of its history for quite some time.
The New York Education Department has not clarified why the abbreviation T-birds is being permitted, even though it was previously denied due to its similarity to the now-banned mascot.
Ianniteri expressed that Connetquot is fortunate compared to other districts affected by the ban, suggesting they had some negotiating power with state officials regarding the name change.
She emphasized, “You can keep your nickname, logo, and mascot. Once a T-bird, always a T-bird.” However, she also voiced concerns about ensuring that the new name remains intact moving forward.
Board member Jaclyn DiLorenzo voiced her dissent against the change, citing overwhelming community support for retaining the Thunderbird name in a recent hearing. Surveys in the area indicated that around 60% of respondents wished to continue advocating for the original name.
DiLorenzo remarked, “We can’t discount what residents conveyed at Thursday’s meeting, which expressed overwhelming support for Thunderbird.” Despite the changes, she mentioned her commitment to the cause of the longstanding name.
The district previously engaged in legal actions against the state regarding the usage of Thunderbirds, but a quiet agreement in June allowed for the T-birds nickname to be adopted as part of a deal to retract those legal claims.
Shortly after the agreement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon began an investigation into the origins behind the name prohibition. McMahon noted potential civil rights implications connected to the name change, which raised significant concerns among some board members about future developments.
Jaquelin Napolitano Farno, a former board member who staunchly supported keeping the Thunderbird name, pointed out broader issues involved beyond merely a mascot change. He conveyed, “It wasn’t just a name; it’s about the state’s overreach.” He challenged the notion of disregarding the connection between the old and new names, expressing skepticism about whether T-birds could really be seen as distinct from Thunderbirds.
The Native American Guardians Association also expressed their viewpoint, asserting that dropping the Thunderbird name would convey a “dangerous” message, labeling such actions as racist. Lawyer Oliver Roberts indicated that legal action against the Connetquot School District may be forthcoming.
