MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette Area Public School district Board of Education says it will continue to move forward with the new Sentinels moniker despite an attempt from a local attorney to trademark the name.
The board selected the new name in January after months of discussions and input from the public. The move drew vocal criticism from many who wanted the “Redmen/Redettes” name to remain, including current candidate for state representative Margaret Brumm. Brumm has claimed she filed paperwork applying for the trademarks on the three names to which the district had narrowed down the choices.
The school board’s full statement on the matter can be read below:
On January 22, 2024, the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education adopted the Sentinels as the new Marquette Senior High School nickname. This decision was the result of an extensive and transparent rebranding process which included months of gathering community feedback through public meetings, surveys, and student involvement. To review this process, please visit www.mapsnet.org.
Margaret Brumm, a local resident and attorney, was apparently not satisfied with the process used to make the change or the change itself. In an attempt to pressure the MAPS School Board to negotiate with her, Ms. Brumm filed trademark applications with the state and federal governments seeking to claim an ownership stake in the Marquette Sentinels name.
MAPS has spoken with multiple attorneys with expertise in trademark law regarding this matter. There is consensus that Ms. Brumm’s attempt to interfere with MAPS’ use of the Marquette Sentinels name has no merit. One of the law firms has volunteered to represent MAPS, at no cost to the district, to protect the district’s trademarks and to defend the school district, should Ms. Brumm improperly attempt to interfere with the district’s rights to the Marquette Sentinels name.
MAPS will move forward confidently using the Marquette Sentinels name while encouraging our community to do the same.
