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Anonymous
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DEVILS LAKE, North Dakota (AP) -- Satan has been banished from Devils Lake.
High school teams here no longer will be known as the Satans, the school's nickname for nearly 80 years.
The school board unanimously voted Monday night to immediately drop the nickname and mascot and start the process of finding a new name to represent its athletic teams.
The 5-0 vote brought applause, hugs and a few tears of joy from an audience that favored change.
"It's hard to stand up and cheer for the Satans," said Kellie Karlstad, a parent of three and the junior varsity girls basketball coach. "It's not an appropriate name for children."
Supporters of the change said the Satans nickname had brought division and a negative image.
"As far as finding one positive for keeping the nickname, I can't," board member Julie Schemionek said. "I believe in tradition. But sometimes, traditions need to be changed."
School Board Chairman Kevin Regan, a Devils Lake alumnus and athlete, said he had not been bothered by the nickname.
"I always thought it was a natural fit that the mascot for Devils Lake would be Satans," he said.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/08/22/satans.no.more/index.html
and they kept it for 80 years! wow! i'd love to see the cheerleaders outfits and cheers: "GO SATAN GO!"
High school teams here no longer will be known as the Satans, the school's nickname for nearly 80 years.
The school board unanimously voted Monday night to immediately drop the nickname and mascot and start the process of finding a new name to represent its athletic teams.
The 5-0 vote brought applause, hugs and a few tears of joy from an audience that favored change.
"It's hard to stand up and cheer for the Satans," said Kellie Karlstad, a parent of three and the junior varsity girls basketball coach. "It's not an appropriate name for children."
Supporters of the change said the Satans nickname had brought division and a negative image.
"As far as finding one positive for keeping the nickname, I can't," board member Julie Schemionek said. "I believe in tradition. But sometimes, traditions need to be changed."
School Board Chairman Kevin Regan, a Devils Lake alumnus and athlete, said he had not been bothered by the nickname.
"I always thought it was a natural fit that the mascot for Devils Lake would be Satans," he said.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/08/22/satans.no.more/index.html
and they kept it for 80 years! wow! i'd love to see the cheerleaders outfits and cheers: "GO SATAN GO!"
