Valparaiso to Drop 'Crusaders' Team Name Because Term Embraced by Hate Groups

The Valparaiso Crusaders will be no more. Reports say that the team is going to drop its nickname because the term "Crusaders" is supposedly embraced by hate groups.

The school announced on Thursday that they are dumping the Crusaders mascot and all logos associated with the term.

There has been a lot of debate about getting rid of the nickname for some time, but recently it got even more heated after the Ku Klux Klan began using the symbols and words.

The school held a vote, and the faculty passed resolutions calling for a new name to be put in place moving forward.

“The negative connotation and violence associated with the Crusader imagery are not reflective of Valpo’s mission and values, which promote a welcoming and inclusive community,” Interim President Colette Irwin-Knott said.

“This is the decision that best reflects our values and community.”

A number of other schools have dumped the "Crusaders" name, so Valparaiso getting ahead of the game and announcing they are leaving it behind is not a shock.

“Valpo is and always has been a faith-based institution, and we want to make sure our symbolism is in alignment with our beliefs and speaks to the core values of the Lutheran ethos,” Irwin-Knott said.

“At Valpo, we strive to seek truth, serve generously and cultivate hope. We do not believe having the Crusader as our mascot portrays these values.”

As of now, there's no word on when the school will decide upon a new nickname or what may be in the running to be the new name and mascot.

















Written by
Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."