For 65 years of their 100 year history, Denver Christian Schools has been known as the Crusaders. Later this year, that will change.
School leaders say many in the community have expressed concerns about the mascot and its ties to the Crusades, a series of wars between Christians and Muslims.
“In our mission, in light of the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, the crusader was an inconsistent, inappropriate symbol for that mission,” school CEO Todd Lanting said.
So in November, the school asked members of its community, including students, parents and alumni for ideas for a new name for a mascot.
They’ve narrowed the list down to two: Thunder and Trailblazers. The final votes from the community are being tallied and the school will announce its new name soon.
Critics say the long tradition of the name should be enough to keep it around.
They have formed a Facebook group with more than 300 members. They claim the school did not give them a voice in the name change.
They also say there is nothing wrong with the name Crusader, as it has been part of the school’s history for 65 years.
“This has nothing to do with political correctness,” Lanting said. “It’s got everything to do with love and empathy for our neighbors.”