Another Alumnus Weighs In
Last week, Marquette University had a chance to do something great. And we all know, opportunities to do something great don’t come along very often. Marquette University had the chance to put the “Warrior” nickname debate to rest forever and do a greater good for the Native American community. And they completely missed.
What was the answer? They should have reinstated the “Warrior” name.
I say this because I believe Marquette University had the chance to face the issue head on, change perceptions forever and completely disconnect the word “Warrior” from references to feather headdresses and Willie Wampum. Yes, it might have taken time. It might have taken work. It might have taken alumni giving up old “Warrior” shirts and stuffing them away. I think they would have been willing. I admit, if you ask anyone what comes to mind when you say the word “Warrior,” inevitably, they will think of the old Marquette logo. And in that context, yes, it’s difficult to ever separate the two. But if one puts that very proud word, “Warrior” with some imagery like a holy warrior (Joan of Arc) or a medieval knight or merely a crusader’s sword, the word suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. New students on campus would be ushered in with a new meaning of the name. Soon, alumni, grateful for their name back, would be scooping up new apparel like a thirsty man lost in the desert would drink from a cool oasis. But perhaps far greater than all that, it would, in time, separate the word Warrior from Native American connotations. And that’s what this is all about, right? Perceptions can be changed. Ask Harley-Davidson how they changed the perception that their bikes were poorly made and leaked oil. Ask the folks who made it okay for men to drink Lite Beer from Miller. It can be done, but it can’t happen if you avoid the issue and never attempt to change.
But Marquette University, in their infinite wisdom, instead chose the easy path and swept the Warrior moniker back into a closet somewhere in the Alumni Memorial Union, gave it some company in the form of the Golden Eagle, went with something dull, P.C. and uninspiring, and thereby ensured Warrior would remain an indigenous Native American word and symbol on this campus and in Milwaukee forever. And therefore, proved that this once great university is no longer capable of doing great things.
Tom Witkowski
Marquette University Alumni
Business Administration, 1993
What was the answer? They should have reinstated the “Warrior” name.
I say this because I believe Marquette University had the chance to face the issue head on, change perceptions forever and completely disconnect the word “Warrior” from references to feather headdresses and Willie Wampum. Yes, it might have taken time. It might have taken work. It might have taken alumni giving up old “Warrior” shirts and stuffing them away. I think they would have been willing. I admit, if you ask anyone what comes to mind when you say the word “Warrior,” inevitably, they will think of the old Marquette logo. And in that context, yes, it’s difficult to ever separate the two. But if one puts that very proud word, “Warrior” with some imagery like a holy warrior (Joan of Arc) or a medieval knight or merely a crusader’s sword, the word suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. New students on campus would be ushered in with a new meaning of the name. Soon, alumni, grateful for their name back, would be scooping up new apparel like a thirsty man lost in the desert would drink from a cool oasis. But perhaps far greater than all that, it would, in time, separate the word Warrior from Native American connotations. And that’s what this is all about, right? Perceptions can be changed. Ask Harley-Davidson how they changed the perception that their bikes were poorly made and leaked oil. Ask the folks who made it okay for men to drink Lite Beer from Miller. It can be done, but it can’t happen if you avoid the issue and never attempt to change.
But Marquette University, in their infinite wisdom, instead chose the easy path and swept the Warrior moniker back into a closet somewhere in the Alumni Memorial Union, gave it some company in the form of the Golden Eagle, went with something dull, P.C. and uninspiring, and thereby ensured Warrior would remain an indigenous Native American word and symbol on this campus and in Milwaukee forever. And therefore, proved that this once great university is no longer capable of doing great things.
Tom Witkowski
Marquette University Alumni
Business Administration, 1993
posted by John McAdams at 11:55 AM
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