San Diego State University (SDSU) is a renowned institution located in southern California. The university has a notable athletic program that competes in the NCAA Division I. Like many other universities, SDSU has a mascot that represents its sports teams and brings spirit to the campus. The current mascot of San Diego State University is the Aztec Warrior. The Aztec Warrior has been the official mascot of SDSU since 2002. The choice of the Aztec Warrior as the university mascot reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.
After consulting with Aztec scholars, university officials declared the Aztec Warrior as the official mascot in 2003. One year later, the latest iteration of the mascot emerged in 2004.
After dropping Monty Montezuma as the mascot name, San Diego State briefly experimented with Ambassador Montezuma in 2002, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. San Diego State University s Senate Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion proposed on Tuesday that the university form a task force to develop recommendations for a new mascot to replace the Aztec Warrior.
The choice of the Aztec Warrior as the university mascot reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of the region. The Aztec Warrior represents the warrior culture of the Aztec civilization, which inhabited the region centuries ago. The mascot is depicted as a strong and fierce warrior, dressed in traditional Aztec attire.
SDSU to keep Aztec name following racially and politically charged debate
SDSU will keep the Aztec Warrior name but downplay its use for the school mascot.
By Gary Robbins May 17, 2018 4:10 PM PT Share Close extra sharing optionsSan Diego State University will keep the word Aztec as its nickname but create a more culturally sensitive version of its mascot in a decision that reflects nearly 20 years of racially charged debate about how the school treats indigenous people.
“The Aztec Warrior … will be retained, but as Spirit Leader, not mascot,” interim SDSU President Sally Roush told the Union-Tribune on Thursday.
“We just expect a much more dignified and appropriate demeanor from that person. You won’t see the Aztec Warrior doing pushups in the endzone. You won’t see the Aztec Warrior dancing with the cheerleaders.”
AdvertisementHer action is part of a larger movement in the United States in which everyone from small high schools to large universities to Major League Baseball teams have tweaked or dropped nicknames and mascots that were regarded as culturally unacceptable.
Roush heavily based her decision on a report produced by a 17-member task force of faculty, students, alumni and community leaders who explored whether the school’s use of Aztec is culturally insensitive, if not racist. Many critics have made those claims, including an SDSU lecturer who pointed out that the Aztecs never lived in the southwestern United States. They were from central Mexico.
Two task force members recused themselves while creating a report that says in one spot, “No human should be a mascot.”
The task force report led Roush to decide that the words Monty and Zuma will no longer be used in the name of certain awards that are granted by the university. Those nicknames represent the breaking apart of the word Montezuma, which Roush said is “very disrespectful of the emperor of the Aztec civilization.”
Adela de la Torre, a social justice expert who will become SDSU’s permanent president in late June, has read the report and agrees with Roush’s decisions, the university said.
The issue is settled — for now. Roush said the university could revisit the issue in the future if there are reasons to.
“This is a very difficult issue with strong feelings on all sides,” said Adam Day, an SDSU graduate who this week was named chairman of the board of trustees for the California State University system.
“President Roush was very deliberative and inclusive in her outreach. The report’s recommendations are very thoughtful. I respect the process and her decisions.”
The task force conducted a major survey that found that the university, its alumni and the public want to keep the name Aztecs, which has been in use since 1925. But the report also contains dissent and anxiety.
While discussing the name, the task force pointed out that, “In the current political climate relative to the US/Mexico border, the elimination of the moniker may be read as discriminatory and an attempt to ‘erase’ our relationship to Mexico and other Latin Americans.”
But the task force also considered the opposite point of view, saying that getting rid of the nickname is reasonable because, “Change is warranted because of the current political climate that leans toward racial and ethnic discrimination.”
The new report says that more than 200,000 survey forms were sent to alumni, faculty and staff, students and the community, asking whether Aztec should be used as a nickname and as the name of the school mascot. Nearly 13,000 people replied. Among them, nearly nine in 10 supported keeping the nickname and nearly 8 in 10 endorsed a human Aztec Warrior mascot.
Here is a sample of some of the respondents:
-- “The name Aztec does not mock the anciet people, unlike the name Redskins whch is considered a slur.
-- “I will not give the school any money if they change it.”
--”Honestly, I’m Mexican and I think it’s pretty dope that my mascot is an Aztec like me. Just don’t disrespect the Aztec culture by having like a white person be the Aztec mascot or something.”
-- “Get over this politically correct BS in California, there are more important issues . ”
-- “(The name) perpetuates a tired, played out, dehumanizing stereotype of indigeous people.”
Changing nicknames and mascots isn’t new. Stanford switched its nickname from Indians to Cardinal in 1972.
The subject didn’t surface as a major issue at SDSU until 2000 when the Native American Student Alliance raised objections about the university’s spear-carrying mascot, Monty Montezuma. That set off a long public debate and led to a student referendum in which most students voted in favor on keeping both the Aztec nickname and Monty Montezuma.
The campus approved a more historically accurate version of the Aztec warrior in 2004. But the issue didn’t entirely fade. There was a big flareup in 2016 when Oscar Monge, an SDSU lecturer, published a paper that said the use of the Aztec as a mascot is racist and historically inaccurate.
In late 2017, SDSU’s campus Senate passed an overwhelming, but non-binding, vote to retire the Aztec mascot. That vote, and the concerns of students, led to the new task force, and Roush’s decisions on the Aztec name.
Roush told the Union-Tribune on Thursday that her decision to keep the Aztec name was in no way influenced by fundraising.
“The fact that they feel a sense of affiliaton with the university because of the Aztec name, from which they draw a lot of personal pride — that factor weighed in,” said Roush.
But the need for money isn’t a minor issue.
The university will soon start gearing up for a major capital campaign that could seek to raise upwards of $1 billion to do everything from cover scholarships to hire and keep top faculty to underwrite research and, possibly, construct new buildings.
Specifically, the university and its boosters are seeking the right to turn the SDCCU stadium property in Mission Valley into a satellite campus that would feature a 35,000-seat stadium, 1.6 million square feet of academic and research space, housing, and commercial developments.
The so-called SDSU West initiative will go before voters in November. The university says it needs the land because it has run out of room to expand on its main campus. The proposal is competing with a similar initiative known as SoccerCity.
By deciding the Aztec name issue, Roush took an issue off the plate of incoming president del al Torre. She said it wasn’t easy.
“I knew that on either end of the spectrum there would be, and I’m sure will be, people who are deeply distressed,” Roush said. “I carry that heavily. For me the hardest thing is contemplating that some people might take this as an indication that I don’t really care about them deeply. But I do.”
Gary Warth and Merrie Monteagudo contributed to this story.
The Aztec Warrior symbolizes bravery, resilience, and determination, qualities that are associated with the student-athletes of SDSU. However, the choice of the Aztec Warrior as the university's mascot has not been without controversy. Some argue that the use of Native American imagery and symbols may be disrespectful and perpetuate racial stereotypes. There have been calls to change the mascot or to reevaluate its representation. In response to these concerns, SDSU has taken steps to ensure that the Aztec Warrior is portrayed in a respectful and accurate manner. The university has worked closely with Native American communities to create an environment of cultural sensitivity and understanding. The Aztec Warrior is now presented as a symbol of strength and unity, rather than a caricature or stereotype of Native American cultures. San Diego State University continues to embrace and celebrate its rich cultural heritage through the representation of the Aztec Warrior as its mascot. The Aztec Warrior serves as a source of pride and inspiration for the SDSU community, as well as a reminder of the importance of cultural appreciation and inclusivity in the university's athletic program..
Reviews for "San Diego State's Mascot Name Contest: A Battle of Creativity"
1. Sarah - 1 star
As an animal lover, I find the San Diego State mascot name to be highly offensive and disrespectful. Choosing an extinct animal, such as the "Aztec," as a representation for a university is not only insensitive but also irrelevant. The use of an animal mascot should aim to bring joy, unity, and pride, but this name fails to do so. It perpetuates stereotypes instead of fostering a sense of inclusivity and diversity. I believe it is time for universities to choose mascots that truly capture the spirit of their institution, rather than resorting to inappropriate and outdated symbols.
2. John - 2 stars
The San Diego State mascot name, the "Aztec," is an ill-informed choice that showcases a lack of cultural sensitivity. As a member of the Indigenous community, I find it offensive to see a university adopt a name associated with a historically marginalized group. The caricature-like representation of the Aztec culture reduces their rich heritage to a mere gimmick. It is crucial for institutions like San Diego State to understand the importance of accurate representation and to choose a mascot name that is respectful and inclusive. I hope the university reconsiders their decision and takes steps towards rectifying this insensitivity.
3. Emma - 1 star
I cannot fathom how the San Diego State mascot name, the "Aztec," was chosen with such little regard for cultural appropriation and historical accuracy. The Aztec civilization is a significant part of history and should not be used as a mascot for a university sports team. The appropriation of indigenous cultures for entertainment purposes is derogatory and disrespectful. It is disheartening to see an educational institution perpetuating such stereotypes. San Diego State needs to listen to the voices of the marginalized communities and make a change that promotes inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity.
4. Alex - 2 stars
As a fan of sports, I understand the importance of having a strong mascot to rally behind. However, I find the San Diego State mascot name to be unoriginal and uninspired. The "Aztec" has been used before by various other institutions, and it lacks a unique identity that truly represents the spirit of San Diego State. A university should strive to choose a mascot that reflects its values, achievements, and community, rather than resorting to appropriated symbols. I believe San Diego State has the potential to create a more meaningful and representative mascot that resonates with its students and alumni.