Native American mascot ban: Opponents vow to fight on, after Trump weighs in

Local officials and community members on Long Island said they will continue to fight a state mandate requiring schools eliminate Native American mascots and team names, a day after their cause received support from President Donald Trump.

On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had asked Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “to fight for the people of Massapequa” as the school district seeks to keep its sports nickname, the Chiefs. School officials had publicly called on the Trump administration to step in shortly after a federal judge last month ruled against them and three other districts — Connetquot, Wyandanch and Wantagh — that had challenged the mascot ban.

"I love that he's supportive of our schools keeping their nicknames," said Pat Pizzarelli, executive director of the governing body for Nassau athletics and a Massapequa High School graduate. "There is so much history and tradition in those schools and they're proud to be Warriors, Indians and Chiefs. They feel it's an honor to wear those uniforms and use those names."

Jennifer Keane, the director of athletics for the Wantagh school district, said, "Our student-athletes and school community take great pride in being a part of the Wantagh Warriors tradition. We were disappointed in the court's decision not to hear our plea to keep our name. We are continuing to explore all options to keep the name as the student-athletes, school and community take great pride in being representative of a Wantagh Warrior. A mascot is more than a symbol or nickname, it's a tribute to the values that drive success in sports and life."

'Just want this to stop'

The state Board of Regents issued guidance in 2023 banning the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools. Districts that do not comply by the June 30 deadline risk losing state aid.

The ban affected 13 school districts on Long Island, including nine that have complied.

It was not clear Tuesday what the federal government could do to intervene in the dispute. A representative for the U.S. Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment.

Republican State Sens. Steven Rhoads and Alexis Weik, who collectively represent several of the affected schools located on the South Shore, said that they had sent Trump a letter asking him to potentially consider “executive action” to prohibit the implementation of the state regulation.

“We just want the state Education Department to come to the table,” said Rhoads, who is hoping for a “negotiated solution.”

The lawmakers cited the high cost of rebranding, which they said ranges from $450,000 to more than $1 million for some schools. 

“This is not just about the mascot, but the enormous amounts of money this is going to cost the school districts, which will be passed onto the taxpayers,” said Weik, a graduate of the Connetquot school system.

But state Board of Regents member Roger Tilles, who was Long Island's representative on the board for 20 years, noted the state’s regulation has been upheld in court. He also pointed to the Trump administration's recent efforts to abolish the federal Department of Education and return power back to the states.

“He says it [education] should be a state matter,” Tilles said. “We have control, so why then is he trying to supersede it?”

The Wantagh school board on Tuesday released a statement expressing gratitude for the support from local officials.

“Their advocacy has been instrumental in representing the values and heritage of our community,” the statement said. “As we navigate this important issue, we continue to carefully consider our options to maintain the 'Warrior' name."

The Wyandanch and Connetquot schools did not return requests for comment Tuesday.

Longtime Wantagh resident Matt Susco, who had previously called on the president to intervene, said it was inevitable that Trump would voice an opinion and welcomed his input.

“We just want this to stop,” he said. 

With John Asbury