What’s in a name?

For Saint Joseph the process of choosing a new mascot is complete

SOUTH BEND — After more than a year of research, surveys and considerations, Saint Joseph High School has a new nickname.

Huskies will be the mascot/nickname for the school starting in the 2024-25 school year. Rams and Buffalo were the other two finalists named in mid-January.

Huskies replaces Indians, which was removed last May following a threemonth committee review of the name. The local Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians did not approve of the old nickname, which sparked the conversation and subsequent retirement of Indians.

In a letter sent to the Saint Joe community, the school thanked the Mascot Adoption Committee that facilitated the survey and input process.

“While all three finalists exhibited positive attributes, after thorough debate, the Mascot Adoption Committee recommended to the School Board that Saint Joseph High School adopt Huskies as the new mascot,” the letter read. “The School Board unanimously accepted this recommendation.”

A 30-second video with Saint Joseph athletes across multiple sports was posted on social media Tuesday to announce the news.

“Within every family, there is growth. Our family is about to grow” started the video before each group of athletes said “We are” with different words coming across the screen. It ended with “The Huskies,” making the new nickname official.

“We are determined and resilient,” the letter continued. “We are steadfast in our faith and in the pursuit of our goals. We handle adversity with courage and grit. We build family and serve with joy. We are a vibrant, courageous, fiercely loyal community unafraid to tackle challenges. As our animating principle states, God Calls; We Answer. We are huskies, leading the pack to victory.”

Saint Joseph has had no nickname this school year. They started the process for the new nickname in September once students returned to school. There were 21 semifinalists in early January before it was narrowed down to three later in the month.

The next phase will be to work with J2 Marketing on development of a mascot, logo and imagery to be unveiled by the fall, the letter said.

AUSTIN HOUGH/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE Saint Joseph senior Jayce Lee dunks the ball during a boys basketball game against Marian on Feb. 9 at Saint Joseph High School in South Bend.