Public to vote on reviving controversial Cedar High School mascot

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The controversial discussion over the name of a southern Utah high school mascot has been revived after years of backlash with a public vote soon to follow.

In 2019, the Iron County School Board decided to “respectfully retire” Cedar High School’s controversial nickname “The Redmen” and Native American mascot following a recommendation made by a 24-person committee. The committee, which was made up of students, staff, alumni, community members, and tribal representatives, voted 17-7 in favor of the change. The board narrowly agreed with a vote of 3-2.

Shortly after the vote to drop the controversial name, the student body voted to replace the nickname with “The Reds,” symbolized by a wolf mascot.

ICSB officials said the name change has “divided the county for years.”

Since the change, groups have emerged calling for its reinstatement. Public comment periods have often been filled with requests to bring back “The Redmen” name. Board members Jeff Corry and Dave Staheli, both of whom are up for re-election for their current seats, have included the reinstatement of the name in their campaigns.

On Tuesday, March 26, Corry, Staheli and fellow board member Lauren Lewis petitioned for the name to be changed but the motion failed. Finally, board member Megen Ralphs successfully motioned to let the public decide “as soon as legally possible.”

A spokesperson for the Iron County School District told ABC4.com that district administrators are working with attorneys and the Iron County Clerk to determine whether the vote can be held on the primary ballot or will need to wait for the general election later this year.

Meanwhile, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah has requested the board to not reinstate the controversial name.

District Superintendent Dr. Lance Hatch said the school district hopes that with the support of the community, the divide can be healed and the community can move forward.

“I acknowledge and recognize that some may have been harmed by the Redmen name over the years and we do not dismiss the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s request to not reinstate the name,” said Hatch. “However, I also acknowledge the harm that has been done to community members who feel a connection to the name.”

Hatch said the goal is working together to be respectful to one another and ensure that students can receive the education they deserve without interruption.

ABC4 reached out to the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah for comment but has yet to hear back by the time of publication on Wednesday morning.

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