As a student body, we loved and cherished our Shooter the Fox. This week our administration had changed his name to Frankie the Fox without asking the student body their opinion on this matter. Those who miss Shooter the Fox realize that "shooter" refers to shooting a basketball, something that is eminent considering he is wearing a basketball uniform and high top sneakers. Although there is a prominent amount of gun violence in America at this time, Marist students are able to differentiate the name of a mascot and a political issue. We, as students, respectfully give our condolences to those affected by gun violence, but we also miss our beloved Shooter, and would like his name to be reinstated. 

Update: 11/17/2017

The support for the petition has exceeded my expectations ten fold and I could not be more proud of the student body and alumni for coming together. Reading the comments and speaking to students now that some time has passed, it's been suggested that the administration did not handle this situation with consideration of those who loved our mascot. While it is understandable that the athletics department renamed Shooter to Frankie for safety reasons, many felt that the lack of communication when the name change occurred was unfair. This could have been an opportunity for compromise, maybe a student held contest to rename the mascot could have created an elevated level of school spirit. Overall, while we can  respect the athletic department's decision to change the name, it is evident that the situation was handled poorly without the consideration of the alumni and student's feelings.