Princeton high school dumps 'Rebels' team name, citing ties to American civil war

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Princeton Secondary School will drop its school team name "The Rebels" citing ties to the American Confederacy and civil war.

Princeton Secondary School athletes will no longer be known by their longtime school team name the Rebels after concerns it is tied too closely with the Confederate side of the American Civil War. 

A letter sent to parents from School District 58, dated July 3, said the district is "examining both our past and current practices" and identified the Rebels as a potential problem. 

The letter explains that the logo especially has a problematic history, changing over the years but sometimes glorifying the Southern cause during that war, which was in protection of slavery.

"In the past it has included depictions of Confederate soldiers and the Confederate flag," wrote district chair Gordon Comeau in the letter. 

Ultimately, the name and its history of problematic associated logos does not "align with our core values."

Comeau wrote that the board "would like to apologize to anyone who has been offended by the images and the name."

When classes resume in September, the school will be asking "students and stakeholders"  to work together to find a logo and name to replace Rebels "that is inclusive and reflects the community." 

Posts in community Princeton Facebook groups about the topic have spurred heated debate in the comment sections, with many calling the decision ridiculous and going too far, and others applauding it.