For over 80 years the men’s teams that represent Southeast Missouri State have been called the Indians and the women’s teams have been called the Othakians (named after a Cherokee woman who died on the Trail of Tears). In the future they’ll be the Redhawks. That decision was made yesterday when the school’s board of regents voted 7-0 in favor of the change. The sports teams will start being referred to as the Redhawks after the upcoming academic school year. Mounting criticism has been given to colleges and pro teams, which use Native Americans as its mascot. SEMO has downplayed the use of the logo since 1985, which was the last time the school had anyone dress up as a Native American as a mascot at sporting events.
