William Shakespeare once said, “What’s in a name?” Northwest Nazarene University rightfully addressed that question this past week.
Northwest Nazarene University publicly announced Oct. 16 that they will drop the Crusaders as their nickname and transition to the Nighthawks. The decision comes as the culmination of years and years of debate between traditionalists wanting to preserve the moniker that stood for decades against others who desired a step away from the negative historical context associated with the Christian pursuit of the Holy Land in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.
Jonah Baker | Argonaut
The university made the right move in officially distancing itself from a very dark part of the Christian tradition.
According to the Idaho Press-Tribune, the university has been working toward phasing out the mascot since the removal of the crusader mascot in 2006 and put together a task force to pick a new mascot last year.
The school posted a press release saying “the change comes after students, community members and alumni raised concerns about the history of violence and destruction associated with crusaders.”
Some may see this as another victory for excessive political correctness, but NNU’s decision is based in real logic.
The crusades, like many wars, are often misunderstood. This misunderstanding stems from general lack of knowledge in the subject and from the fact that they are not often recreated in popular culture. And, in all seriousness, Hollywood cannot be blamed for shying away from such a touchy historical subject.
The arguments against changing the moniker came mostly from disgruntled alumni who detest the manner in which tradition is cast aside. Others believe this is another example of a once unique school regressing and losing what makes it different.
There is no shame whatsoever in acknowledging past wrongdoing and changing tradition. The university is taking strides to ensure the crusader nickname is not wiped from all records, as conference titles and awards will continue to honor the past.
NNU also took special care to pick a mascot that was not overused while also common to the Treasure Valley area in order to keep the school unique.
And, as the school continues to integrate the new nickname, the university has the opportunity to differentiate their brand even further as they start to develop a visual mascot and merchandise to go along with the new direction it is taking.
For nearly 200 years, the Christian kingdoms of Europe attempted to steal Jerusalem from the Muslims under the guise that Islamic expansion threatened their own kingdoms. The crusaders that took part in these ultimately ill-fated ventures are remembered fondly for their valor, but the purpose behind their actions was deplorable to say the least. It makes plenty of sense that a forward-thinking university in the 21st century would want to lessen the degree to which they are associated with multiple generations of Christians, that thought they were justified in wreaking havoc on the people in and around Jerusalem over the course of three centuries.
NNU is only the latest Christian institution to rightfully move away from this unseemly part of history. The Press-Tribune also reports that at least seven different universities have changed mascots, recognizing the crusades are a black eye in Christian history and that perpetuating them in an effort to manufacture school spirit is actually quite counterintuitive.
Today’s college students are undeniably more sensitive to historical atrocities like the crusades, and that general sense of understanding even pervades out in Nampa at NNU.
Whether or not NNU is right in moving away from the crusaders moniker is not a question of absconding tradition, or even really a worthwhile question at all. That part of history does not deserve lionization, and the university has done a commendable job of recognizing and acting on that reality.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker