Whitman College Replaces Missionaries Mascot

Whitman College is going "Blue," as in its mascot.

You might be wondering, what is a "blue" anyway? Apparently it's a character that nobody on the Walla Walla area campus finds offensive or politically incorrect.

It's in reference to the Blue Mountains, which are not that far away. According to sources including our news partner KNDU-TV, some 35% of respondents to a school survey made some reference to it, to Thursday that new name was announced.

It was back in 2015 and earlier this year, that a variety of 'diversity' and other PC committees released findings of studies claiming a number of students and faculty felt the original mascot, Missionaries, was offensive to Native Americans.  So, a search was launched for a new name.

According to a statement released by the school, the Missionaries name was "non-inclusive, imperialistic, and implied (incorrectly) that it was a religious school-even though it's original roots were founded in theology.

No word if the school colors will change, but certainly the uniforms for their sports teams will have to.  Basketball, baseball, volleyball, and track. The school dropped football after the 1975 season, which included a 70-30 loss to my alma mater, Whitworth College (now university).