Canandaigua's new high school nickname is revealed: Here's what the voters decided.
CANANDAIGUA, NY — Goodbye, Braves; hello, Gray Wolves.
The Canandaigua school district on Friday announced the change in nickname, with Gray Wolves beating out the Bears — the next closest — no nickname and Cardinals. The district is keeping its cherry and gray colors.
Those four options emerged at the top after several surveys of the community were done. The most recent survey in October asked for the top choice, and 5,046 votes were counted.
Superintendent Jamie Farr said he is excited about the selection.
“I think it’s unique. It’s fun,” Farr said. “When you think about a wolf and you think about the traits and characteristics that are known with a wolf … it’s a lot to be inspired by.”
Canandaigua was required to move on from the Braves nickname and Friendship Belt logo because the New York State Board of Regents voted unanimously to prohibit the use of Native American names, mascots and logos for school districts and their sports teams.
The lengthy process involved in the change — districts have known since November 2022 that they must move on from Native American nicknames and imagery — was a thoughtful one, everyone was listened to and care was taken in what students thought about this because they are the ones who will live the decision, Farr said.
“Ultimately, I’m happy for the community. I understand this was an emotional process that everyone’s in a different place with,” Farr said. “It’s really hard for some people and at the same time, it’s exciting for others. With time, I think everyone will get on board with it and we can have a lot of fun with it.”
Along with the nickname change, the district released temporary logos so that people can begin preparing gear and apparel. The district will engage three different branding and logo design companies who are familiar with high schools, universities, and pro sports teams and decine on one to develop a permanent logo, hopefully by the end of the school year, Farr said.
People can start referring to Canandaigua as the Gray Wolves now, or ease into it. Rebuilding an identity is a tough shift, because "Braves” has been ingrained for so long, Farr said. Canandaigua has been the Braves since at least 1949.
“We’re not erasing our history. Our history is still our history. We acknowledge that and we celebrate that,” Farr said. “But it’s time to move forward and have fun with this. I really think our community will do that.”
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Canandaigua nickname is now Gray Wolves, not Braves: What to know
