pic: The Fighting Rednecks

[Team2883]

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[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Team2883

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May I suggest less farmer and more mullet?

Notre Dame should be proud.

[bigbeezy]

Thats Awesome!

[colin340]

i like it
put a first sign on the hat

[JoeArnold]

haha, nice.

[lenny8]

I applaud your creative name. this tickles me

[JaneYoung]

Here are a couple of thoughts from a mentor whose entire family works at a family-owned feed and milling company here in the Austin area.

This is a stereotype that I have worked 'against' for many years regarding involving the community, the businesses, and the families/students in FIRST Robotics.

The image is a stereotype and the name is a stereotype. How is that going to play during recruitment? How is that going to play when interacting with teams from around the world, on a global playing field? How is that going to play during the scholarship application process for colleges and universities?

A redneck is a redneck. A redneck image is a redneck image. I have tremendous respect for farmers and ranchers and their impact on communities and beyond. This image and name is one that is limiting rather than providing opportunities for unlimited potential. It is a caricature.

As I said, my family is steeped in the community of farmers, ranchers, and good hard-working people. Just the type that will thrive on an FRC team. Don't let the name or the image thwart that possibility.

.02
Jane

[amariealbrecht]

I really like this! Its amazing...first logo on the hat would make it so much better!
Way to go and good luck this season!

[Team2883]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Here are a couple of thoughts from a mentor whose entire family works at a family-owned feed and milling company here in the Austin area.


.02
Jane

Our team is based in rural minnesota 5 miles from the canadian border...70% of the land around us is farmland

[cziggy343]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

This is a stereotype that I have worked 'against' for many years regarding involving the community, the businesses, and the families/students in FIRST Robotics.

i dont understand how this is any different from using any other group of people as mascots. what about the Florida State Seminoles? the University of Illinois Fighting Illini? any of the thousands of high schools with the mascot of "the warriors?" i dont really see much of a difference from that... only that its slightly more entertaining.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Team2883

Our team is based in rural minnesota 5 miles from the canadian border...70% of the land around us is farmland

I get that. The family store used to be surrounded by farmland here. No longer.

And, this image has reached beyond the rural land and into the FRC community. The FRC community is made up of many teams from many places. Names certainly can reflect where the team's roots are, that is true. Just make sure the team image is one that girls, educators, administrators, sponsors, and other communities rich with diversity, will understand, accept, and support.

Stereotypes are a challenge in today's society without helping to cultivate them. That is all that I am saying.

Jane

[Team2883]

Originally Posted by cziggy343

i dont understand how this is any different from using any other group of people as mascots. what about the Florida State Seminoles? the University of Illinois Fighting Illini? any of the thousands of high schools with the mascot of "the warriors?" i dont really see much of a difference from that... only that its slightly more entertaining.

Our high school mascot is actually the warriors.....

[cziggy343]

Originally Posted by Team2883

Our high school mascot is actually the warriors.....

exactly. and i dont see a problem with that, i was just making a point

[Chris Fultz]

Regardless of the opinions expressed above -

you have most likely violated a copyright / trademark or other protection -unless you received Notre Dame's approval to modify and use their mascot. ?

[JaneYoung]

Well, let's explore this just a little further and then I will hush.

If one buys into the vision of helping to change the culture, bringing science and technology and its value/importance to light in our schools and communities - that is a tall order for an FRC team that is interested in building robots and competing. If a school has sports teams and mascots and traditionally promotes those teams, their history, and their value to the community - is that changing the culture or - is that status quo as old as the hills? The names/logos/mission statements and activities that FRC teams brand themselves with can help their communities develop and change or they can help them remain the same, keeping recognition of science and technology in shadow rather than in the light.

Rednecks, I do not mean to pick on you in any way - I am just offering a different perspective and perhaps some food for thought.

Jane

Edit: I was writing while Chris posted. This comment is not about the copyright post.