MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette Area Public School Board voted to retire the Redmen and Redette nicknames. The nicknames carry quite a bit of history at Marquette schools. The title has been used for around 100 years in the school system according to the boards Vice President, Glenn Sarka.
The decision was split 4 to 3, and public opinion seems to be just as divided. One side argues the the name is one that is worn by many with pride, and should be upheld. Others say that despite the nicknames origins, coming from the red sweaters that used to be worn by Marquette athletes, it’s a term now seen as derogatory and should be replaced.
With this being such a divisive topic, public comment at the school board meeting took up 2 of the 4 and a half hours at the meeting, and comment sections online have been filled with those expressing their opinions.
The decision by the school board to retire the name follows the retirement of the schools old logo containing a Native American Chief. That decision was made in 2020 just before the pandemic began, when in-person community board meeting were stalled. Sarka said the board didn’t want to take up the issue again until they could have public meetings.
In person commenters were widely in favor or the retirement of the nickname. Community members said that the term ‘Redette’ is demeaning and diminishing, and doesn’t bring to mind strong female athletes. A young woman who is a part of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians spoke up at the meeting as well, she said the name ‘Redmen’ has made her feel sick and enraged for as long as she understood what it meant.
Comments online have expressed that many feel it was the wrong choice, stating ‘this was another decision made by a hand full of people’ and ‘ this is hypersensitivity at its best’. Others have expressed frustration with the board’s decision to retire a piece of Marquette history.
With comments still coming in on both sides, the board is preparing to move forward with finding a new name and mascot for the students and community to rally behind.
