In late August, Carthage College President John Swallow along with the board of trustees voted to retire the names Red Men and Lady Reds, as well as the college’s mascot Torchie, which is in effect as of today.
“While we deeply respect our history and the generations of Carthage student-athletes who competed under our former team names, the trustees believe a change is appropriate,” says board chair Jeff Hamar. “This provides an excellent opportunity to brand our college and athletic program in a positive, inclusive, and dynamic way.”
Swallow made his recommendation after reviewing findings from the Task Force on Team Names and Mascot at Carthage. The findings cited concerns about the connotations of racial and gender identity the names Red Men and Lady Reds.
The group concluded that the names were not “unifying symbols” for the Carthage community.
Nearly 3,000 ‘Carthaginians’ shared their opinions in a survey; most respondents expressed their desire for a new team identity.
