Mandino: The man who gave the Natick Redmen their name
By Silvio I. Mandino/Guest Columnist
I am responding to the issue of the use of the nickname "Redmen'' as a nickname to describe Natick High School athletic teams in an effort to correct inaccurate historic references and to address some of the emotional rhetoric surrounding the matter.
I am a 1956 graduate Natick High School where I was awarded a varsity letter in baseball and was the sports editor of the school paper, "The Sassamon'' and of the sports section of the yearbook, the cover of which depicts a Native American with just two feathers.
In the fall of 1956, I became a sports reporter for what was then the Framingham News. I was assigned to cover the Natick High School football team, which I did for the period 1956 to 1958. In 1956, there was a suggestion made by the sports editor of the paper to call Natick the "Brewers,'' after the Carling Brewery which was located on Rte. 9 in Natick. I felt that this nickname was not appropriate and did not like the implication that drinking beer and playing high school football should be connected. I began to research the nicknames of hundreds of college and professional sports teams to find a better choice. A previous reference used, "Red & Blue,'' was, in my opinion, bland and unexciting. During this period, the town's heritage became more of a strong factor for me.
"Natick'' is an Indian name meaning Place of Hills. The history associated with John Eliot and his Natick Praying Indians became known to me. I came to the conclusion that a reference to Native Americans would be entirely appropriate. During the process, I rejected "Braves'' and "Warriors'' as being unsuitable. I was looking for a name that I felt would reflect on the dignity and character of the Native American. I chose "Redmen.''
In the weeks that followed, I began inserting the term Redman into my game reporting. I asked no one's permission, I just did it. The nickname took hold and the rest, as they say, is history.
There appears to be two issues regarding the nickname. One is the logo design, and the other, treatment of the image. First the logo: there is no doubt in my mind that the designer of the logo, whose identity is unknown to me, had the best intentions when the logo was designed. If one were to stop anyone on the street and ask for a description of a Native American, I believe that most individuals would describe someone with a headdress containing many feathers. Is the depiction historically inaccurate? Probably it is. The remedy is simple: change the logo to represent a Native American with one or two feathers.
The second issue seems to be the treatment of the image. I am offended by the depiction of the smiling brave, complete with big teeth, found on the caps of the Cleveland Indians' major league baseball team. I also find the tomahawk chop, performed by Atlanta Braves' baseball fans, in poor taste.
If Natick High School fans are also performing this activity or if the band is playing the "Tomahawk Chop'' during games, school officials should take whatever steps are necessary to see that these activities cease. I would recommend that a set of guidelines be developed relating to all aspects of the display and use of the term "Redmen'' and its logo. More importantly, these guidelines should be monitored and enforced. This action will go a long way toward insuring that the dignity and respect of the logo and image are preserved.
Recent statements by school committee members and others offer a revealing insight into what can only be described as a rigid mind-set regarding this issue: "Sooner or later, the change is going to occur.'' "If we get 400 people at the next meeting urging us not to change the name, it may make it an uncomfortable position, but it will not make it less right.'' "We have just been waiting for someone to lodge a complaint.'' "I think change is a slam dunk.''
The last time I checked, this was still the United States of America. A trivial point, in the overall scheme of things to be sure, but it is estimated that it will cost $6,000 to change the uniforms. I assume that this money is Natick citizens' hard-earned tax money being used here. Couldn't this money be put to better use? How about increasing the number of scholarships offered to high school graduates to enable them to better compete in this increasingly competitive world in which we find ourselves?
Finally, let's consider the statements attributed to some members of the group allegedly offended by the use of Redmen and others: Richard Miller, a town historian who has researched Natick's unique link to Native American culture said, "I think the thought of Natick recognizing its heritage would be very, very positive and it would be a shame to lose it.'' Walter Vickers, chief of the Nipmuc Nation, has no problem with schools referencing Natick Americans in their nicknames as long as they do it out of respect.
The best quotation I have saved for last - it comes from Mr. Donald Widdiss, Tribal Council Chairman for the Wampanoag people of Martha's Vineyard: "Municipal leaders should spend their time on more important issues.''
To that, Mr. Widdiss, I say Amen.