VALPARAISO, Ind. The University of Valparaiso announced on Thursday that it is abandoning the team name Crusaders, the school mascot and all logos associated with the term, which he says are embraced by hate groups.
The decision comes after a decades-long debate that recently intensified as groups such as the Ku Klux Klan began using the symbols and words. The faculty and student senates of the school each made decisions to change the change, and the alumni board of the university supported the reconsideration of the appropriateness of the team name.
The Crusades were a series of bloody religious wars that began in the 11th century between Christians and Muslims. Valpot’s mascot has been a helmet figure in faux armor for many years.
“The negative connotation and violence associated with the crucifixion images do not reflect Valpo’s mission and values that foster a welcoming and inclusive community,” said interim president Colette Irwin-Knott. “It’s the decision that best reflects our values and community.”
Elected President Jose D. Padilla will oversee a committee that will consider adopting a new team name and mascot for the 3,100-student Lutheran school in northwest Indiana. Padilla is scheduled to take over as president on March 1.
Student President Kaitlyn Steinhiser said the student council believes that the mascot of the school should represent the university’s values and help create the school spirit.
“The crusader is not doing it effectively,” she said.
Irwin-Knott said Valparaiso is following the lead of other universities, which has also dropped Crusaders.
“Valpo is and has always been a faith-based institution, and we want to make sure that our symbolism is in line with our beliefs and speaks to the core values of the Lutheran ethos,” she said. “In Valpo we strive to seek truth, serve generously and cultivate hope. We do not believe that the Crusader as a mascot portrays these values.”