Petition Launched Protesting Change In Marist Mascot's Name

After more than 38 years of romping across basketball courts and football fields, Marist College in Poughkeepsie has quietly changed the name of its school mascot from "Shooter," to "Frankie the Fox," prompting some not happy about the change to post an online petition.

Marist College has changed the name of its mascot.
Photo Credit: *Marist College*

Kathy Reakes

11/17/2017 5:30 a.m.

Poll

Final Results Voting Closed

Should Marist College have changed the name of its mascot?

Yes
15%
No
70%
Not sure
2%
Don't care
13%

"We felt this was the right time to make a change: Marist wants its athletics program to be associated with positive experiences and not in any way linked to the incidences of gun violence that have sadly become too common," said Julia Fishman, director of media relations for the college.

"The college is also pleased to use this as an opportunity to honor President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose childhood home and Presidential Library and Museum are in close proximity to our location and whose digital archives the College is proud to host," she added.

The move to change the name began shortly after the mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead.

"Frankie" was presented to fans during a game on Nov. 10, she added.

But many students aren't taking the name change well and have started a petition on Change.Org that has already garnered more than 700 signatures.

Part of the petition states: "Although there is a prominent amount of gun violence in America at this time, Marist students are able to differentiate the name of a mascot and a political issue. We, as students, respectfully give our condolences to those affected by gun violence, but we also miss our beloved Shooter and would like his name to be reinstated."

All reference to "Shooter" has been removed from the school's website and replaced with "Frankie."

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