Evangel to Retire Mascot
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:01 pm
The Evangel Crusaders (NAIA Heart of America Conference) are no more, per a statement by Interim President Dr. George O. Wood today. Apparently, the cultural backlash of the term is getting in the way of students, alumni, and faculty to represent the school out in the "real world." The athletic program will remain, bearing an as-yet to be determined name.
I love Dr. Wood as the immediate previous General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (the organization with whom I hold my ministerial credential), but I disagree with this move. While I understand that SOME of the original Crusaders stepped outside their bounds (particularly in later crusades, which were monopolized by greedy opportunists and worse, especially during the Children's Crusade, which was nothing more than the human traffic of minors), in general, they represented strength, honor, and commitment to the faith, which was what Evangel students intended when they adopted the mascot in 1955.
https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/ ... lJPF-XhCZs
I love Dr. Wood as the immediate previous General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (the organization with whom I hold my ministerial credential), but I disagree with this move. While I understand that SOME of the original Crusaders stepped outside their bounds (particularly in later crusades, which were monopolized by greedy opportunists and worse, especially during the Children's Crusade, which was nothing more than the human traffic of minors), in general, they represented strength, honor, and commitment to the faith, which was what Evangel students intended when they adopted the mascot in 1955.
https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/ ... lJPF-XhCZs