DICKINSON — The Dickinson Public Colleges district has introduced the retirement of its longtime mascot, the “Midgets,” efficient on the finish of the present college 12 months. District officers say the choice displays a dedication to inclusivity and evolving neighborhood values whereas mitigating potential authorized considerations.
The transfer, which comes after practically a century, follows rising considerations over the identify’s appropriateness, its potential to influence college students’ alternatives and the danger of civil rights litigation. In line with a letter despatched to oldsters Monday, district leaders emphasised that the change aligns with efforts to foster a extra welcoming atmosphere whereas safeguarding in opposition to authorized challenges.
“If a household enrolls a toddler with Achondroplasia in certainly one of our colleges, what sort of message does our mascot ship to that household?” Dr. Marcus Lewton, superintendent of Dickinson Public Colleges, stated. “What sort of atmosphere may that create for that pupil?”
A significant consideration within the determination was the influence on college students, each at residence and in competitors. College officers cited considerations from college students who felt uncomfortable utilizing the mascot’s identify whereas representing the college at state and nationwide occasions. Some groups and organizations have even been unable to share the mascot’s identify at nationwide competitions because of the time period’s controversial connotations.
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Moreover, the district acknowledged the potential authorized dangers of retaining the identify. Achondroplasia, the most typical type of skeletal dysplasia, which impacts bone development and growth, is a incapacity protected underneath the People with Disabilities Act. Officers cited considerations that the district may face civil rights lawsuits over the mascot.
Rebranding a college mascot generally is a pricey enterprise, requiring updates to uniforms, signage and athletic services. Nonetheless, Dickinson Public Colleges officers stated they imagine their transition will probably be considerably less expensive as a result of strategic planning and present funds cycles.
One of the crucial important cost-saving components is the district’s ongoing, bond-approved renovation and growth of Dickinson Excessive College. By integrating the mascot rebranding into these deliberate updates, officers estimate they are going to keep away from lots of the monetary burdens that usually accompany such a transition.
Athletic Director Man Fridley stated the gymnasium flooring, which at present bears the mascot’s identify, was already scheduled to be refinished this fall as a part of the college’s customary upkeep plan. Equally, athletic uniforms will probably be phased out regularly as a part of their common substitute schedule relatively than requiring a direct overhaul.
“We need to reassure everybody that this variation won’t lead to a big rebranding expense,” the letter to oldsters acknowledged. “These yearly prices are already budgeted inside our present budgets and athletic groups.”
The origins of the “Midgets” nickname at Dickinson Excessive College stretch again practically a century, but the precise story behind its adoption stays a matter of debate. Whereas no definitive data exist to substantiate how the identify got here to be, 4 prevailing theories have circulated inside the neighborhood for generations.
One common account attributes the moniker to a sports activities broadcaster who, upon witnessing a Dickinson staff notably smaller in stature than its opponents, coined the nickname on air.
One other concept hyperlinks the identify to a post-World Struggle I victory parade that made a cease in Dickinson, that includes a “Mighty Midget” fighter aircraft that reportedly impressed the college’s athletic groups.
A 3rd risk means that Dickinson borrowed the identify from an opponent. In line with native lore, the college as soon as confronted a Fargo staff that had beforehand used the Midgets mascot. Dickinson’s gamers, being even smaller, are stated to have embraced the identify as their very own.
A last concept claims that college students within the mid-Nineteen Twenties voted to undertake “Midgets” as a tongue-in-cheek choice amongst different proposed names, and the selection in the end endured.
Whereas the district has but to find out a brand new mascot, officers emphasize that the choice course of will probably be a collaborative effort, participating college students, dad and mom and neighborhood members to make sure the brand new identification displays Dickinson’s values and traditions.
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District officers stated they plan to collect mascot options from college students and residents. As soon as finalists are chosen, college students in grades 5-12 will vote on the brand new identify and design.
“We perceive this determination could also be tough for some, particularly these with sturdy recollections and emotional ties to the Midget mascot,” Superintendent Lewton, Fridley and Dickinson Excessive College principal Jeff Brandt stated within the letter. “For a lot of in our neighborhood, this mascot has been a supply of pleasure, custom and identification. We don’t take this calmly. Nonetheless, we should acknowledge that simply because one thing was as soon as acceptable doesn’t imply it aligns with the values we need to uphold as we speak.”
James B. Miller, Jr. is the Editor of The Dickinson Press in Dickinson, North Dakota. He strives to convey community-driven, skilled and hyper-local targeted information protection of southwest North Dakota.
