Manhasset schools change nickname, abiding by state ban on Native American mascots

Manhasset school officials have selected a new name for their athletic teams and earmarked about $430,000 for costs associated with changing it, making the district the latest on Long Island to comply with the state’s Native American mascot ban.

In a June 11 letter to the community, schools Superintendent Gaurav Passi announced the district's teams will now go by Manhasset or 'Set, concluding a yearlong process. The new tag replaces the district’s Indians nickname and imagery associated with it.

" 'Set" is a nickname traditionally used by students and staff that resonates with the community, Passi said in his letter.

A poll taken by the community, which helped select the new name, also determined that no mascot was necessary.

"Our traditional school colors of blue and orange will remain unchanged, and we will retain a modified version of the M logo that eliminates the feather to maintain the continuity of our school’s identity," Passi wrote in his letter.

Manhasset school officials declined to comment further.

The district had created a committee that included students, parents and members of the community to help with the selection process and make recommendations. Other top choices for a nickname were Mavericks and Eagles, Passi's letter said.

The Manhasset school board approved the measure for the name change at a June 6 meeting and authorized the district to undertake the work associated with it at a cost not to exceed $432,015, according to the resolution. That includes "contracts for public works and/or the purchase of supplies, material or equipment, necessary to carry out the work." 

Manhasset boys soccer coach Mark Giardino told Newsday the district has already remodeled the gym floor, turf and provided new uniforms to some teams. 

“We actually got new uniforms this summer, a lot of teams, because our budget is going to be so tight next year that while we do have some leeway with time, I guess funds were available more so this year than next year," he said. 

Keeping the name 'Set, "I believe, keeps a little bit of tradition," he said.

"To be in the 'Set program is to be part of the Manhasset family and the Manhasset community," Giardino said. "And I think that doesn't change when we lose the name Indians, and the tradition continues with 'Set." 

Manhasset was one of 13 Long Island school districts affected by the state’s ban on the use of Native American nicknames and imagery, which was announced in April of last year.

Districts have until June 30 next year to make changes or potentially face a loss of state aid and the removal of school officers, according to state guidelines.

So far, nickname changes have taken place in three other affected Island districts. Half Hollow Hills High School East changed to Red Hawks from Thunderbirds; Brentwood High School changed to Spartans from Indians; and Sewanhaka High School changed to Ravens from Indians. 

Comsewogue High School will change its name to the Spartans beginning next school year.

The districts of East Islip, Sachem and Syosset are in the process of making changes. Officials at those three districts did not comment further.

Amityville, Connetquot, Massapequa, Wantagh and Wyandanch have filed legal challenges to the mandate.

Wantagh Superintendent John McNamara said the district created a committee to explore two options — keeping the Warriors name but with new imagery, or finding a new name entirely.

"The district is hoping to be able to keep the Warriors name and just develop new imagery," he said. "If that doesn’t pan out, we’ll go with the other plan."

McNamara said it would cost "several hundred thousand dollars" to change uniforms, fields and other related material.

Passi, in his letter to the Manhasset community, noted that the board previously resolved that legacy or memorial items, which are considered to be "historical artifacts," will not be removed or changed.

With Ben Dickson