Long Island school system’s ‘Warrior’ nickname could be saved from ‘overreach’ under state bill

A Long Island school’s “Warrior” team name would live on despite the state’s ban on Native American-themed mascots and logos under a new bill aiming to fight “education department overreach.” 

The legislation would exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the controversial ban, with the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Steven Rhoads, calling for a vote this legislative session.

“We’re very proud of our Native American heritage; that is something we’re celebrating,” Rhoads told The Post. “These names weren’t chosen to denigrate or somehow mock the Native American community.

“It was to embrace and celebrate our culture, history, and tradition.”

The Wantagh High School’s “Warrior” team name would live on despite New York’s ban on Native American-themed mascots and logos under a new bill aiming to fight “education department overreach.”  Dennis A. Clark

The bill made progress in the state Senate earlier this month when three Democrats joined five Republicans in support of moving the bill through the Education Committee, 8-7.

Rhoads told The Post he hopes the bipartisan support on May 5 was a good sign the bill could keep advancing.

“I’m hopeful that this showing of bipartisan support will bode well for being able to get it onto the floor,” he said.

Rhoads, a Republican and Wantagh High School graduate who represents part of Nassau County, said the district is among the two main Long Island school systems fighting back against the ban.

“Along with the Massapequa Chiefs, this is probably the poster child for what I would term to be state education department overreach,” he said.

The bill has not gained the same traction in the state Assembly and remains in its Education Committee. Both houses of the legislature are controlled by big Democratic majorities.

The Warrior moniker is tied to the legacy of Chief Wantagh and the Suffolk County hamlet’s founding history. Wantagh High School has proudly claimed the “Warrior” mascot since it opened in 1956, according to Rhoads’ office.

Matt Susco, the president of the Wantagh Preservation Society, said most of the people in the district want the state to “leave us alone.”

The mascot is based on a real person, and more than half of Long Island has Native American names and other associations, he noted.

State Sen. Steve Rhoads is the bill’s sponsor. Senator Steve Rhoads / Facebook

“We’re the Wantagh Warriors. It’s done with pride, it’s done with class,” Susco said.

Wantagh was granted an extension from the New York Department of Education that allowed the district to hold onto the Warrior name for another year until June 2027. 

It’s the school system’s second temporary exemption since the state Board of Regents ordered public school to throw out Native American mascots, team names and logos by 2025.

Rhoads’ bill is now in the Investigations and Government Operations Committee, which is led by Hudson Valley state Sen. James Skoufis.

“We have a 40% efficiency among third through eighth graders rating in math, and a 50% proficiency rating in English among third through eighth graders,” Rhoads said. 

“The state education department should be focusing on things that are more important than games of mascots, and forcing districts to spend hundreds of thousands, in some instances, an excess of a million dollars.”

Wantagh district officials have also pointed out creating a new name would cost the school more than $500,000 – but state leaders and Democrats argue the ban is crucial to stop racial and ethnic stereotypes and promote inclusion.

The Massapequa School District, which is fighting the loss of its nickname in court, has said it would need to spend roughly $1 million to rebrand.

State officials have said a district can keep their indigenous nickname if it receives approval from a federally recognized tribe.