Huron logo, name to be topic at next school meeting

Community input will probably have a strong influence in what Rogers City local school board members decide on the issue of Indian nicknames, if it ever comes before them in the form of a vote. The State Board of Education unanimously adopted a non-binding resolution ?strongly recommending? Michigan schools eliminate American Indian nicknames, mascots, logos, and fight songs.

THE PASSAGE of the resolution last Thursday doesn?t mean schools have to change their nicknames or mascots. ?It?s a non-binding thing,? said Rogers City superintendent Ed Schultz. ?They?re going to make a strong suggestion, and the reason for that, under the Headlee rule, is if they make you do it, they have to pay for it.?

High school football coach Bob Brietzke, who played and coached as a Huron, was pleased the measure wasn?t mandatory. ?I hope it stays,? said Brietzke of the Huron nickname. ?I don?t think it?s demeaning.? Brietzke said RCHS has had the Huron name in football for as long as he can remember.

ROGERS CITY is one of 75 Michigan schools which use nicknames related to culture, race or ethnicity, according to the Department of Education. Schultz, who graduated from Rogers City High School as a Huron and from Central Michigan University as a Chippewa, said he?ll include the issue as an agenda item for board members July 14. ?It?s something to think about,? said board member Mike Marx Tuesday, adding he doesn?t view the Huron symbol as detrimental.

?It?s one of the most ridiculous things I?ve ever heard,? said board member Norm Karbon. ?There?s nothing derogatory.? Karbon said if the issue came up for a vote he would vote ?no,? without hesitation. Marx said public feedback will be vital.

Central Michigan University administrators worked closely with the Native American tribe in Mt. Pleasant when there was an effort there to replace the Chippewa mascot. ?It got to the point where the tribes themselves wanted that name there, they?re proud of it,? said Schultz. ?They turned it into a positive thing.? There were modifications in the way CMU presented the Chippewa Indian which were agreeable to everyone. ?It

?s in better taste than it was before,? said Schultz. The CMU debate came at about the time Eastern Michigan University changed its mascot from the Hurons to the Eagles.

SCHULTZ SAID there is an economic issue as well, because letterhead, scoreboards, and uniforms would have to be changed or replaced, which would result in a ?big expense.? President of the Huron Sports Boosters, Mike Stempky, said he likes the local symbol, ?but if it?s something that?s offensive, then let?s do something different. Let?s change it. ?It?s one of those two way streets, where you?re damned if you do and your damned if you don?t.?

Stempky and Schultz both suggested a student contest, if the board did decide on a new nickname. ?I don?t know what?s going to happen,? said Schultz. ?Our new board members will have some things to wrestle with, won?t they??