MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The next phase of Marquette Senior High School’s athletic department’s rebranding was discussed by the Board of Education on Monday, August 24th.
The board considered a proposal by a Wisconsin public relations firm for the rebranding of the athletic department’s nickname and mascot, which was voted to be changed from the Redmen and Redettes last month. That proposal, which the school board has not spent any money on, and any decisions about it were tabled until the board’s committee of the whole meeting in October.
A representative from the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reached out to the school board offering a no-strings-attached $30,000 donation to help with rebranding costs, such as paint, new signage, and athletic uniforms. They have not received a response from the board about the offer.
“We can’t [make a decision] in a vacuum we will seek public comments and suggestions, so hopefully the entire community will at least feel they had a say in what the new nickname is going to be,” remarked School Board President Kristen Cambensy.
Board Members said there is no current plan to change Marquette’s red and white color scheme. It was made clear that any decision regarding a new nickname and mascot would be made by the School Board.
No other decision on the future of the school adopting a new mascot or nickname was made tonight.
