Defiant Lengthy Islanders embrace Chiefs, Warriors mascots as NY state threatens to drag funding over ‘offensive’ crew names

They’re exhibiting their combating spirit.

Two Lengthy Island communities are embracing their faculties’ Native American-themed crew names and historical past regardless of a woke mandate – and residents say it’s ridiculous that holding onto custom could imply shedding state support.

The Massapequa Chiefs and Wantagh Warriors haven’t any plans to alter their names or imagery by a government-mandated June deadline as locals within the Nassau County hamlets are defiantly sporting crew gear and refusing to bow to what they name a tone-deaf try at “cancel tradition.”

“It’s nearly erasing historical past… that’s the issue with cancel tradition,” Matt Susco, president of the Wantagh Museum and Wantagh Preservation Society, advised The Put up. “I can’t imagine that it’s truly coming into our hometown and going into the lecture rooms. How do you clarify this to an 8- or 9-year-old?”

The 2 Native American-named cities, that are combating the forthcoming ban tooth-and-nail in courtroom, are amongst 13 faculty districts being pressured to alter their conventional names after funding threats from the New York State Board of Regents in April 2023.

Prideful Lengthy Islanders discover there’s nothing offensive in regards to the names and imagery and say they honor an epic legacy distinctive to their shores.

Al Iaquinta, a former UFC star turned Wantagh-based realtor, stated it’s “infuriating” to consider ditching the warrior method at his alma mater.

“It is mindless,” Iaquinta, a former multisport athlete at Wantagh Excessive College, advised The Put up.

“That’s what’s so cool about Lengthy Island — that it has this historical past.”

Susco, 46, stated Wantagh’s emblem exhibits Chief Wantagh, a Sachem chief who settled the area within the mid-1600s. He reiterated that the mascot’s face is traditionally correct.

“It’s an identical to the precise portrait we have now within the museum… to say that’s offensive is wrong,” stated Susco, who graduated from Wantagh Excessive College in 1996 and proudly sports activities a Warriors tattoo.

State Sen. Steven Rhoads can be adamant about preserving the Wantagh legacy in his district. This month, he launched two payments to exempt Wantagh faculties from the ban and assist defend different districts that don’t comply.

“It’s part of who we’re, and it’s a celebration of our heritage,” stated Rhoads, a Wantagh grad.

He referred to as it “a disgrace” that the state schooling division “merely desires to stamp out” native legacy somewhat than use it as a teachable second.

In Suffolk County, the Wyandanch and Connetquot faculty districts — additionally named in honor of their Native American roots — have lawsuits of their very own to maintain their respective titles of the Warriors and Thunderbirds, abbreviated to “T-Birds,” Newsday reported.

‘As soon as a chief, all the time a chief’

Only a few miles east of Wantagh in Massapequa, mother and father are additionally outraged that the phrase “chief” has come underneath scrutiny. Joe Diesso, a 52-year-old father, stated it’s hypocritical that the time period is suitable when used to explain the US president, a CEO or a high-ranking legislation enforcement or hearth official.

“Why is that every one OK, however not after we use the phrase?” Diesso advised The Put up. The daddy of three stated his youngsters are additionally upset by the double customary.

“They wouldn’t need to be the rest however a chief.”

By way of the years, respect was all the time given towards the crew identify and emblem of a Native American in a feathered headdress, in accordance with Gary Baldinger, a Massapequa Excessive alum who performed within the Nationwide Soccer League within the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties.

“I’d say 99.9% of locals have been optimistic about conserving the identify,” Baldinger, a longtime Massapequa College Board trustee till 2021, stated.

Baldinger, who hung out with the NFL’s Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, stated he’s doubly aggravated the state would harp on “such a trivial matter … with all the issues with youngsters’ schooling all through our nation.”

“We’re going to proceed to struggle,” Baldinger stated. “It actually represents not only a faculty and a sports activities crew, however who we’re. I can’t think about one other identify.”

Diesso identified {that a} identify change could be ridiculous, given the quite a few closeby nods to Native American tradition.

Massapequa has a towering statue of a Native American chief 5 minutes away from the highschool.

College students additionally paint a chief-themed mural virtually yearly on a wall adjoining to campus.

For the reason that 2023 risk, Diesso stated he has additionally seen many extra residents sporting Massapequa gear, particularly attire bearing the phrase “As soon as a Chief, All the time a Chief.”

“This may by no means go away in Massapequa. It doesn’t matter what occurs,” Diesso stated.