RSS alumni left feeling ‘disheartened’ after school changes sports team’s name
Global News
RSS teacher Chris Werry says the change was necessary. In 2018, students began voicing their concerns about the team’s name and how it reflects poorly on the school’s identity.
A former Rutland Senior Secondary student says he feels disheartened to see the school’s sports teams will no longer be known as the Voodoos.
Casey Peake spent three seasons playing football for the RSS Voodoos, proudly donning the school’s gold and blue colour scheme whenever he took to the field.
“It’s a tradition that you’re excited to be a part of,” said RSS alumni Casey Peake.
“You bleed that school’s colours essentially for the time that you’re there and even in the future. I still rock my Rutland football gear out and about out in the community.”
But on Thursday, the school announced it had officially changed its team’s name to the Rutland Senior Secondary Thunder, after the school announced in January it was looking at rebranding.
“It came down to either Thunder or Wolverines for the final vote, and about 60 per cent of the school favoured Thunder,” said Principal Hugh Alexander.
“Rutland Thunder has a ring to it, but the best part is seeing our students get together and rally behind the name as we know our community will at many events to come.”
The decision to change the name doesn’t sit well with Peake. He says he doesn’t understand why the school would change the team’s name and erase its longstanding history.
