Marion School District Mascot May Be Changed Again

Just days after the Marion Independent School District selected "Mavericks" as its new nickname and mascot, concerns have arisen.

The name had been changed from "Indians" because it was considered insensitive, as was requested in a letter received by the district from the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, also known as the Meskwaki Tribe.

A vote began, and "Mavericks" was chosen among three options, the others being Red Wolves and Red Storm.

Iowa's News Now reports on a new discussion about the name and its ties to 1800s slave-owner Samuel Maverick. With this piece of information brought to their attention, the Marion Independent School District says they will recommend the board NOT adopt the name Mavericks, despite the vote among district families and residents on February 22.

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They will reopen the discussion of selecting a new name, and details will be discussed further at a Monday, March 8 board meeting. There's no word on whether the two other finalists in February's vote will be placed back into the hat or what the process of selecting the new name will be.

For their part, the district also says "we are sincerely sorry that we did not find this information prior to a recommendation to our Board, and understand this decision has an impact on our MISD students and community. Marion Independent remains committed to selecting a team name/mascot that will proudly serve our community today and into our future".