The Derby Red Raiders name won’t change — in fact, the school district may adopt a formal policy protecting the name.
That was the explanation given Tuesday afternoon by school board president Kenneth Marcucio, when asked about an item on the agenda of a school board subcommittee meeting tonight.
Any recommendation from the subcommittee would have to be voted upon by the full school board.
Agenda item no. 4 on tonight’s agenda reads “review policy on school colors.”
Agenda item no. 5 reads “discussion of mascot name for Derby Public Schools; currently known as the ‘Red Raiders’.”
Marcucio said the school district may formalize, in writing, the official school colors and the official nickname.
The official colors of the school district, according to Marcucio: Red and white. Black can be used as a trim color.
The Valley Independent Sentinel spoke with Marcucio on the phone shortly after 12 p.m. Tuesday.
Valley Indy: The discussion of the colors and the nickname at the subcommittee meeting looks interesting.
Marcucio: “There’s really nothing to that. We’re just going to put that in writing. It hasn’t been in writing and there’s been a little confusion about it. We’re going to put it into policy to eliminate the confusion.”
Valley Indy: And the name Red Raiders?
Marcucio: “That’s what it’s going to be, the Red Raiders. Same thing — no change. We’re just putting it in writing. These are the school colors, this is the school mascot — that’s what everyone has to follow.”
Valley Indy: Why is the issue coming up now?
Marcucio: “There’s little motivation, except that we don’t want some teams to use a third color that shouldn’t be used, that’s all.”
Valley Indy: In terms of the name, has someone said ‘We’re going to be the Derby …?’
Marcucio: “Not at the high school level. This would be mainly for the middle school level.”
Valley Indy: The middle school — they have their own school building now. So you’re just saying we’re the Red Raiders, we’re staying the Red Raiders and that’s that?
Marcucio: “Exactly. If that’s what the (full) board wants.”
Valley Indy: So it’s actually that you’re protecting the name Red Raiders and the colors?
Marcucio: “Exactly. If one team decides to use black and white instead of red and white, then what prevents another team from using green and gold with white as a trim? It’s just to standardize the colors of the school, that’s all.”
Valley Indy: To standardize the colors and formalize the name, because they are two separate things, right?
Marcucio: “Right. Nothing is changing. Those have been there for years, even during all the years I was there as AD (athletic director).”
Valley Indy: When I saw it, I thought maybe there was a thought to remove Red Raiders.
Marcucio: “I would never vote for that. Maybe somebody else would. The impetus is just to have it in writing, because somebody said ‘This isn’t in writing.’ It should be in writing so that everybody knows this is the policy of the school.”
Valley Indy: Has the school district ever received complaints about the Red Raiders name?
Marcucio: “Thankfully, no.”
Valley Indy: I was thinking maybe that was the motivation.
Marcucio: “I never thought about that when we did this (put the items on the agenda). That point of view, hopefully that doesn’t happen.”
Tonight’s subcommittee meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Derby High School Library Media Center.
