The Warriors have lost this battle — and it’s not just a sports team’s identity at stake, but a deeper cultural shift that’s increasingly shaping America’s schools. The Amityville School District on Long Island, a once-proud community that celebrated its Warriors mascot, has been forced to comply with a state mandate from New York’s Board of Regents, which is pushing to eliminate Native American-themed logos from every school in the state.
Under the new mandate, Amityville has officially rebranded itself, adopting the name “The Hawks” in place of the Warriors. The change, according to the district’s release, is meant to symbolize “strength and courage,” qualities the Hawks are supposed to represent. But for many, it’s hard to ignore the underlying message: a loss of tradition, pride, and local heritage.
Superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert expressed hope that the district could move forward united, despite the strong emotions that the mascot change has stirred within the community. “While I understand that changing our mascot brings strong emotions for some, I am hopeful that we can move forward together, united in pride for our school community,” Talbert said. However, she acknowledged that the financial burden of updating logos at school facilities would cost around $200,000 — a hefty price tag for a district already grappling with financial concerns.
Meanwhile, just a town over in Massapequa, frustration is mounting over the state’s crackdown. The local school board has formally called on former President Trump to intervene and overturn the Native American logo ban after a judge dismissed a lawsuit to keep their Chiefs mascot. The district fears that it could face a $1 million bill if it’s forced to rebrand, a devastating blow to the community.
Amityville wasn’t the only district to feel the pressure. Nearby towns like Wantagh and Wyandanch, which also proudly feature the Warriors name, are grappling with the same issue. Even the Connetquot Thunderbirds, whose name is shared with a Canadian hockey team, were swept into the lawsuit. Yet, Amityville ultimately dropped its legal fight after the legal expenses exceeded $17,000 — a financial burden that the district simply couldn’t bear.
Despite the legal and financial battles, Amityville has now settled on the Hawks as its new identity. The change came after a series of focus groups and input from students, including student-athletes. The district proudly states that the name was chosen through a “thoughtful process,” but for many, the decision feels less like progress and more like an erosion of local traditions. The district’s leadership insists that the new logo will reflect the community’s values, though the details of the design are yet to be determined. Students will soon vote on the visual logo, marking the next chapter in the district’s forced transformation.
But this change isn’t just about rebranding — it’s about a broader cultural movement that continues to erase American history and traditions in the name of political correctness. What’s next? Will other beloved team names, steeped in history and community pride, fall victim to this wave of “wokeness”?
The battle isn’t over. As local communities wrestle with state mandates, one thing is clear: Americans are tired of watching their heritage get erased by top-down mandates, and they’re starting to push back. The Hawks may have emerged victorious for now, but the fight for cultural preservation is far from over.
