change?

name for more than 60 years.

Random Thoughts

Phil blackwell

The controversy included protests, a school walkout and plenty of community outrage. Within a few months, though, the name “Legends” was settled on, and….life went on. So it has gone at all levels for more than half a century. Colleges and universities were the first to walk away from these stereotypes, Stanford and Dartmouth doing so in the early 1970s and many more, from St. John’s to Marquette to Colgate, altering their names or, in the case of Syracuse and Illinois, discarding mascots.

It’s proven tougher in professional sports. Washington’s NFL team held on for a long time before sponsors bolted and, magically, minds were changed. Cleveland’s baseball team resisted, too, but now they’re the Guardians. Others –the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs –hang on, but for how long?

Here at the high school level, there are several issues at work. One of them is, of course, the way schools are tied to their hometowns at a deep emotional level, which includes the nicknames. To surrender them, willingly or unwilling -

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Timothy Main, 69 skaneateles native

Timothy John Main, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on April 14, 2023, at the age of 69. Born on Nov. 4, 1953, in Skaneateles, was the son of Horace and Marie (Sullivan) Main. Tim lived in Fresh Meadows, N.Y., and worked in the restaurant business for many years as well as Home Depot before retiring to Ponte Vedra, FL, in 2021.

He is survived by his loving wife Jackie, his sons Jeff and Brian, his daughter-in-law Meryl, and his

Death Notices

granddaughter Ellie, who brought him immeasurable joy for the past two and a half years. He is also survived by his six brothers, Jim, John, Tom, Bill (Barbara), Bob (Kathy), and Joe (Chris,) three nieces and a nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Kathy and Pat. Tim will be cremated in private, and there will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to a charity of their choice.

Although Tim’s presence will be sorely missed by all who knew him, his

Sandra M. Vaughn, 84, of Liverpool, passed away April 12, 2023. Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, Baldwinsville, has arrangements.

Kurt H. Paulson, 86, of Cicero, passed away April 14, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Leanne M. Weigand, 43, of Jordan, passed away April 14, 2023. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has arrangements.

Timothy J. Main legacy of love, hard work and dedication will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. ly, guarantees to stir up arguments about pride, respect for others, and coercion.

Michele A. Smith, 62, of Constantia, passed away April 19, 2023. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of arrangements.

Shirley A. McBride, 93, of North Syracuse, passed away April 20, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

M. Colleen Gilchriest, 60, of Pennellville, passed away April 19, 2023. Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, Baldwinsville, has arrangements.

Another, only complicating matters, is that schools like Liverpool, Westhill and Canastota had already moved away from Native American mascots, believing that terms like “Warriors” or “Raiders” could be interpreted multiple ways.

Above it all is that a change like this will cost money. And we are talking about public school districts with budgets and taxpayers to which they answer.

Even if, as almost always in these situations, school colors remain the same, new uniforms with new nicknames carry a price tag.

Thus, it would be helpful if state officials make these changes more palatable by tying them to increased funding that covers these extra charges.

Generally, it’s good to promote a more tolerant culture, at schools and everywhere else. If there’s even the slightest chance a student with indigenous roots feels uncomfortable because of a nickname, it’s probably best to get away from it.

Those that will decry these changes will let you know how they feel day and night. It’s their right to stay true to what they love, even if some don’t like it or society goes in a different direction.

Ultimately, though, we must evolve. If schools only belonged to those who were here before, they could never learn, never grow, and never realize their full potential in a way that makes all the people who attend them proud.

Perhaps the best thing these school districts can do is something that might not be popular – namely, educate their communities on both the roots of their nicknames and the legitimate reasons why some found them offensive and why it’s important to address it in a decisive manner. Would that cause some anger? Would it stir up some serious rows? Likely, yes, for change of anything is painful, but especially when it comes to things that affect the legitimate and vast memories older alumni have of their alma maters.

Yet history tell us that, once pain is absorbed, healing can follow. Anger can turn into understanding. Remember that as, in this moment, the loudest voices battle a tough but necessary move.

Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.