Are some HS Team names inappropriate for FRC teams?

[safiq10]

In 2013 we struggled with the idea of changing our team name to something a bit more tame, but we decided to stick with and not enforce the idea of our team name. We don't know exactly where the name came from because no one, even our alumni can remember how we got it.

So I think that what truly matters is how your team presents itself. However if you have a name like "my robot is better than yours" you might wanna consider changing that.

[Jon Stratis]

As they say, a rose by any other name smells as sweet. If a team chooses to utilize their school's name/mascot to maintain a close identity with them, it doesn't reflect on their attitude our actions.

[Michael Hill]

The "C" in FRC is "competition". There's nothing wrong with wanting to win.

[IndySam]

I'm sorry but saying teams shouldn't have a "fierce animal/competitor capable of vanquishing its opponent" is utterly ridiculous. Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition are about working together not some crazy PC idea.

[mrnoble]

I don't think even PC people (like me) give a rip if schools have tigers as mascots.

[sportzkrazzy]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I'm sorry but saying teams shouldn't have a "fierce animal/competitor capable of vanquishing its opponent" is utterly ridiculous. Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition are about working together not some crazy PC idea.

Scott you probably just think that because goats are such fearsome creatures, talk about bias haha ...

Jokes aside what does the C in FRC stand for... Its okay to have a competitive spirit and want to win. Isn't only natural that a mascot personifies that teams drive for excellence? We always want to win against the best and will be one of the first teams helping you if your down. I don't think our mascot scares people away from our pit...

[SenorZ]

Like just about every school with the VIKING as a mascot there has been talk among the staff that having a mascot that represents murderous hordes who raped and pillaged isn't a great idea. But it isn't going anywhere.

I think teams should find their own identity. Right now we're "Viking Robotics" and I think its boring more than anything (I mean, there are about 200 Viking related teams out there, all based on school mascots). Teams like Exploding Bacon, or the Cheesy Poofs, have fun and original names that represented the spirit of the team when they formed.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

I don't think even PC people (like me) give a rip if schools have tigers as mascots.

This.

[pyroslev]

My High School team were the Indians. The local tribe never complained about our use of the name when I asked a few members.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by pyroslev

My High School team were the Indians. The local tribe never complained about our use of the name when I asked a few members.

So long as your mascot wasn't Chief Wahoo, I think it's probably fine.

[IronicDeadBird]

Originally Posted by SenorZ

Like just about every school with the VIKING as a mascot there has been talk among the staff that having a mascot that represents murderous hordes who raped and pillaged isn't a great idea. But it isn't going anywhere.

I think teams should find their own identity. Right now we're "Viking Robotics" and I think its boring more than anything (I mean, there are about 200 Viking related teams out there, all based on school mascots). Teams like Exploding Bacon, or the Cheesy Poofs, have fun and original names that represented the spirit of the team when they formed.

Well if you look at the negative aspects yeah vikings did some, stuff...
But all things have bad sides vikings were incredible navigators. At the end of the day someone or something has pissed someone off, there is no mascot that won't have some negative aspect. I think the line is crossed when something is used with malicious intent.
Also if the team name is something sensitive don't make a big deal out of it. You are less likely to bother someone with your name if you don't bother them at all.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by IronicDeadBird

...there is no mascot that won't have some negative aspect.

I think the mascot for D^3 might be a blue cube costume; does that have a negative aspect?

[IronicDeadBird]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

I think the mascot for D^3 might be a blue cube costume; does that have a negative aspect?

I'm sure someone somewhere is saying yes and coming up with a stupid example. I imagine a fear of boxes and the blue man group might be found in someone but I'm not about to go looking.

[dash121]

I see it as a simple question. Does your name promote yourself? Or does it flat out lash out at opponents. Most teams use their home school/ sponsoring organizations' mascot and that is fine but somethings could be done better. A team promoting competition is fine as long as they don't use it as an excuse to bring their opponents down or not be nice to them (aka gracious professionalism). It depends on how /you/ view your own name not how others. Our team name (Technical difficulties) came from our first year /always/ having technical difficulties 24/7. Soo just make your name personable and make it fun! Because being fun is most important in FIRST

[mrnoble]

Is there a team somewhere that chose a name that lashes out at opponents? Team We Hate You All? Team You Suck?