VALPARAISO, Ind. – The University of Valparaiso announced on Thursday that it is giving up the name of the Crusaders team, the school mascot and all the logos associated with the term it said it was embraced by hate groups.
The decision comes after a decade-long debate that has intensified recently as groups such as the Ku Klux Klan have begun to use symbols and words. The school faculty and student senators each adopted resolutions calling for change, and the board of university graduates supported a reassessment of the adequacy of the team name.
The Crusades were a series of bloody religious wars beginning in the 11th century between Christians and Muslims. For years, Valpo’s mascot has been a helmeted figure in fake armor.
“The negative connotation and violence associated with the Crusader image does not reflect Valpo’s mission and values, which promote a welcoming and inclusive community,” said Acting President Colette Irwin-Knott. “This is the decision that best reflects our values and community.”
President-elect 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 senate felt that the school’s mascot should represent the values of the university and help create the school spirit.
“The crusader is not doing this effectively,” she said.
Irwin-Knott said Valparaiso was leading other universities, which also abandoned the Crusaders.
“Valpo is and always has 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. “At Valpo, we strive to seek the truth, to serve generously, and to cultivate hope. We do not believe that we have the crusade as our mascot for portraying these values.”