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RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:09:17 GMT

It's still in the "research" stage. A report will be given to President Goldfarb soon. He will have the final say in the matter.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:29:42 GMT

Has anyone heard anything more about the name change for the women's teams? I voted online to have one name for all athletic teams.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:16:22 GMT

B-Ball Fan- I understand and appreciate your position. I was only commenting on the "big" supporter and his attitude.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

B-Ball Fan — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:50:41 GMT

WIU72 & Leatherface: If you read my whole post I said I agreed that all should be under 1 name and I also agree that the supporter should keep his disgust to himself about name change. I just said what I had heard.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:36:31 GMT

We have 2 precedents for unifying the team names with "Leathernecks".

#1. Rocky (the WESTERN Bulldog) represents the entire University--including both the men's and women's athletic teams. The bulldog mascot is derived from the United States Marine Corps (Leathernecks) which uses the English Bulldog as their mascot.

#2. The WESTERN Band (which is comprised of both male and female members) refers to itself as The Marching Leathernecks.

One WESTERN. All Leathernecks!

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

BRGJOE — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:03:03 GMT

I guess I am somewhat neutral on this.

Apparently it is a cost/benefit thing that the administration is doing for this.

That some feel it's better to have just one name to help "unify" the sports programs. And this is versus the people who would be pizzed off at removing the Westerwinds name.

Did any of you read The Courier? They had 2 letters on it -- looks like both were against the name change. One of them was the one who actually won the contest apparently. I think her name was Malea Kotter. I was here in Macomb at the time and remember there was a naming contest and that's how the women's teams became the Westerwinds. I still don't know what the name means, but hey .. I've gotten used to it over the years.

If you were to say to me that now they will create a name for the women's team, I think I'd be against it. But since one does already exist and has been there for a decent amount of time, I think they should just leave it alone.

But again .. I think it should be the decision of who is most affected by it. Meaning the women's coaches/players/administrators, etc. If they are cool with dropping the name, it is fine by me as well.

Joe C.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:31:22 GMT

Very well said, Leatherface!

I think that we already have a precedent set on "names". The WESTERN Band has both male and female members. The Band refers to itself as "The Marching Leathernecks".

One WESTERN. All Leathernecks!

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:43:37 GMT

I would say a "big" supporter who threatens to "never give " another dime to WESTERN because he doesn't like an internal decision being made by the university- is in effect a "small" man. So, he feels that since he gives a donation, he is entitled determine internal policies. What next, he doesn't like the uniforms, so he threatens to donate no more? Where does it end? This is why I said earlier- donors shouldn't be involved in decision making policies. They should be content to support the school, with no strings attached. Leave them out of decision making processes.

If the women's coaches, athletes and athletic department want this- so be it. I guarentee this "big" supporter will blow a lot of smoke-BUT- will cave in. People like this want the publicity and like seeing their name listed.Otherwise, let him go. Who wants to be threatened continually by someone wanting their way.At least Waste Management didn't mandate internal decisions!!!! Let him go cry for awhile, he will be back.

These types of supporters burn my butt.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:23:59 GMT

But B-Ball fan, we need to remember that Rocky (the WESTERN Bulldog) is the mascot for both the men's and women's teams. The Bulldog mascot is derived from the English Bulldog which is the official mascot of the United States Marine Corps.

When WESTERN received permission in 1927 to use the name "Leathernecks" that also included the use of the bulldog mascot and the official Marine Corps insignia (the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor). That insignia is still used by WESTERN today.

There has never been a separate Westerwind mascot. Rocky serves as mascot for the entire University. It's time to unify the names.

We are "One WESTERN. All Leathernecks"!

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

B-Ball Fan — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:26:42 GMT

WIU72: You apparently were not in the section where a lot of the Westerwind supporters and major contributors were setting at the football game. They were very upset was being discussed and I heard 1 of the "BIG" sponsors say if name changed that he would never give another dime to WIU Athletics. I agree should be united and never understood the need for 2 names, but rest assured, there will be feathers ruffled. I also agree the decision has already been made, but not officially.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:43:24 GMT

While at Homecoming last week, I heard a lot of support for unifying the athletic team names (both men and women) under the Leathernecks name.

The consensus seems to be that we are "One WESTERN--All Leathernecks!"

I agree.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:50:15 GMT

It looks like the Univeristy is intending to eliminate the "Westerwinds" name for the female teams. All teams will be called "Leathernecks".

I say this because the Univeristy is running a commercial on KHQA-TV-7 (Hannibal/Quincy). It is to promote the current football season. But it ends with "One WESTERN. All Leathernecks".

This looks to me like the Univeristy wants to unify all sports teams under the "Leatherneck" umbrella.

Perhaps that is a good idea.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:04:32 GMT

No offense intended to WAC members. My wife and I contribute to the athletic department. Don't know if that makes us WAC members or not. Doesn't matter either way, as long as they get some money.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

B-Ball Fan — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:57:14 GMT

I'm a WAC Member and proud of it. I said earlier that I never knew why needed 2 names unless Leathernecks is considered too masculine for the Ladies teams.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:40:23 GMT

Yes, BRGJOE you are warped-just kidding-

I say if the women's coaches want it, the players want it and the athletic department/council wants it- then let them be called Leathernecks. I don't believe the WAC, teachers union,state employees union,all campus clubs, all residence halls, Greek system,performing arts, all department heads,all non faculty,vendors, and the Goldfarb's dog need to be asked their opinions. Don't drag it out. Who cares what the Western Athletic Club members think. All they are interested in is seeing their names listed in the game programs. (just kidding-I think)Too many meetings and input will only lead to feet dragging.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

BRGJOE — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:29:28 GMT

I think in the article on the WIU website, it does say they will talk with the Women's sports administrators and later on the coaches and the players.

I dunno. I don't see why they have to make both sports teams have the same name.

I felt the same way back in 1977 when they came up with the new name for the Women's teams. Back then I asked, "What the heck is a Westerwind anyway?" I still don't have a clue. Anyway, eventually the name grew on me and I don't see why it necessarily has to be dropped.

Besides, a women's team with the name "Leatherneck" or even "Lady Leatherneck" just doesn't sound right. To me it conjures up a squad full of ladies dressed S&M gear. Then again, perhaps I am a bit warped anyway.

Joe C.

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

Leatherface — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:43:57 GMT

I agree. If the athletes and coaches want to be called Leathernecks- then go with it. I never followed the reasoning for the separate name anyway.

Also, there is no need for meetings to adopt this. However, anyone who has been in education- especially higher education- knows you must have four meetings to discuss the last meeting etc. etc. etc. This can be handled in the athletic department with some input from the university community- but don't drag it out .

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:20:51 GMT

I really don't think that we need to poll/survey the entire Univeristy community about this proposed name change.

Just ask the current female athletes for their opinions. And go with their advice. Plain and simple!

RE: An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

B-Ball Fan — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:21:24 GMT

Sounds like a solid proposal. Never really understood why had 2 names for our sport's teams unless Leathernecks is considered too masculine for our women's teams.

An End to the Westerwinds Name ??

WIU712 — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:47:12 GMT

Review Proposal To Unify Western Athletic Team Names

Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb is reviewing a proposal to unify the athletic team names to Leathernecks.

Goldfarb held an initial meeting today (Sept. 26) with coaches from Western women’s and men’s athletic teams. He plans future sessions to discuss the proposal with WIU student-athletes, Western Athletic Club members and campus leadership groups. The proposal was brought forward by Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson and Athletic Director and Assistant Vice President for Student Services Tim Van Alstine on behalf of requests they receive annually from women’s teams coaches and players.

“The proposal to unify names must be considered in the context of the history and tradition of women’s and men’s athletics at Western,” Goldfarb said. “It is important to consider all points of view and obtain broad-based input before a decision is made on an issue with such significance within our athletic programs.”

Goldfarb and Director of Equal Opportunity and Access Cathy Couza seek input from the campus community, alumni and others through e-mail submissions and a voluntary web-based survey available at

http://www.student.services.wiu.edu/survey/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=8J32NF

Currently, WIU women's teams are named Westerwinds, and men's teams are named Leathernecks. In 1927 Western first used the Leathernecks name for men’s athletic teams. In 1977 the Westerwinds name was established for women's intercollegiate athletics teams.