SDSU Keeps Aztec Name; Mascot Now 'Spirit Leader'

SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego State University will continue to use the Aztec name but create a more culturally sensitive version of its mascot, interim SDSU President Sally Roush announced Thursday. The Aztec Warrior will be retained as a "Spirit Leader," not a mascot.

"'Aztec'" will continue to be the name we associate with our university," Roush said in a statement on Thursday.

"We will, however, make changes to honor the Aztec culture, relying on our considerable capacity to create and deliver appropriate programmatic and educational material. Most importantly, we will focus on and correct the longstanding 'lack of engagement with other indigenous groups locally and with the history of the Aztec Empire.'"

Roush announced "there will be immediate and visible changes in demeanor to achieve a respectful portrayal of a powerful figure from Aztec culture."

"We will undertake an effort to assess whether to add other meaningful symbols, marks or representations, including historically accurate animal symbols that capture the intellectual sophistication, power and bravery of the Aztec civilization," she said.

The decision comes after a 17-member task force of faculty, students, alumni and community leaders looked at the university's use of the Aztec. In addition, SDSU sent more than 200,000 survey forms to faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members about the Aztec moniker and Aztec Warrior. Nearly 13,000 people responded and more than 6,100 provided comments, Roush said.

"The comments cover the full spectrum of opinions from complete elimination of the moniker and Aztec Warrior to making not one single change to either," she said. "One consistent, overarching message, however, was conveyed in a loud and clear voice: Respect, genuinely intended and executed, must be the foundation of our actions going forward."

Also see:

CSU Selects New SDSU President

Image via Ken Wolter/Shutterstock.com