Natick to vote on Redmen name for school athletics

February 12, 2008 12:30 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Erica Noonan, Globe Staff

NATICK --- The Redmen aren't fading away without a fight.

A group wanting to preserve Natick's controversial sports moniker scored a victory Monday night when the town's Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to put the issue to a public vote.

The town will add a nonbinding question to its March 25 ballot asking residents whether the School Committee should reverse its decision to dump the long-standing nickname.

Some feel use of the name Redmen denigrates Native Americans and that the use of Indian warrior images on unofficial athletic paraphernalia is racist.

Last year, the School Committee voted to drop the name by the 2008 football season and appointed a task force to consider new names for the team. Locals have not rallied around the proposal for a new name -- the Hawks.

On Monday night, the board heard nearly two hours of impassioned discussion before approving the ballot question.

"Everyone gets a chance to vote on this, which is exactly what we wanted, and what everyone felt was missing from the process so far,'' said Sue Lamont, who has collected 1,800 signatures from residents who want to keep the Redmen name. "This is about the sprit of the town and its history, not just sports teams.''

The town's most famous Redman -- ESPN commentator Doug Flutie -- has advocated keeping the name, as have a number of Natick alumni sports and student groups. But local Native Americans, including descendants of Natick's Praying Indian tribe, have said continued use of the name would be "hurtful and offensive.''

The ballot measure is nonbinding, but if the School Committee does not reevaluate its decision to drop the name, the pro-Redmen group will take the issue to Town Meeting in April, Lamont said.

After Monday night's vote, Selectman Josh Ostroff said he personally believes the town should drop the Redmen name, but voted in favor because "the people need to be heard.''

"I empathize with the people whose identity is bound up in the Redmen name and history, but I have greater sympathy with the group who were oppressed. We walk on the ground they tilled and the greater honor should go to them,'' Ostroff said.