Detroit News: Eastern Michigan band revives controversial Native American Huron logo

By Pete Cunningham Sports Director

Posted on Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 7:05 a.m.

Twenty years ago, Eastern Michigan University changed its mascot from the Hurons to the Eagles after the Michigan Civil Rights Commission recommended all schools avoid the use of Native American mascots.

The Eastern Michigan band will wear uniforms with the former Hurons mascot emblazoned on them this year.

The move was made in an effort to discourage negative imagery in the depiction of Native Americans, but the unintended result has been a divisive split between alumni, some of whom refuse to support the school financially because of the decision.

An effort to heal that wound will be made on Saturday at the football team's home opener against Illinois State at Rynearson Stadium. As reported by the Detroit News, the Eastern Michigan marching band will wear uniforms with the old Huron logo emblazoned on them.

The uniforms will also include the school's original "Normalite" logo from its days as the Michigan State Normal College.

According to the report, it will be the first sanctioned use of the Huron logo since 1991.

"We have many, many Hurons who are still Hurons in their heart to this day. And, of course, we have been the Eagles for 20 years," Eastern president Susan Martin told the Detroit News. "It's showing respect to the past but embracing the fact that we are all together under the block E and love Eastern."