74% Of Wantagh Residents Want Legal Fight To Keep 'Warriors'

WANTAGH, NY — The Wantagh Board of Education is taking the next step toward addressing the state's new directive for the removal of Native American names and mascots.

The Wantagh High School's Warriors, depicted by a chief in a headdress, will be changed, as per the state's mandate.

Educators, though, remain hopeful that the Warrior name will stay, despite the state calling for the removal if it is tied to a mascot deemed offensive or inappropriate.

The Board asked residents to fill out a brief survey; they received 962 respondents to the four questions.

Most noteworthy, 74% say the district should pursue legal action against the state to keep the "Warrior" name.

In the question: "How do you think the school district should proceed regarding the mascot regulation?" a majority (55%) say the district should maintain both the current imagery and "Warriors" name.

Survey data were collected during a two-week period, ending on July 11.

Superintendent John McNamara discussed the survey during the July 5 board meeting.

"As many members of the community know, the board passed a resolution last month saying that we comply with the new regulation, but we're keeping the door open to pursue it further."

In Massapequa, the school district is also complying with the ban, but it's not ruling out possible legal action regarding the "Chiefs."