Around New England

Western Connecticut Considering Changing Mascot After Outcry

June 10, 2020

Western Connecticut State University may change its sports teams’ nickname and mascot because some find the term “Colonials” offensive.

The school’s current mascot is called Chuck the Colonial.

“Colonial” refers to the time between the founding of Connecticut Colony in 1636 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Complaints about the mascot and nickname include “ethnic violence, genocide, and racism,” according to the Stamford Advocate.

The school is in Danbury, Connecticut.

A decision is scheduled to be announced Monday, June 18.

If Western Connecticut ditches nickname and mascot for its sports teams, it won’t be the first time.

Until 1974, they were the Indians.