President Considers Unifying Athletic Team Names

Frequent Request to Change Spurs Proposal; Both Teams Would be Named Leathernecks

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

Goldfarb held an initial meeting in September with coaches from Western women's and men's athletic teams. Sessions have also been held 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 athletics program.”

“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 athletics program.”
President Al Goldfarb

Goldfarb and Director of Equal Opportunity and Access Cathy Couza ‘72 MS-ED ‘97 have also sought input from the campus community, alumni and others through e-mail submissions and a voluntary web-based survey.

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.

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