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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2002

Above: The Old Monty Montezuma. Below: The New Ambassador Montezuma. Photos © SDSU.

California's San Diego State University on Wednesday debuted its new Aztec symbol, refashioned as a cultural ambassador after Hispanic and Native students complained about the spear-chucking, red-faced warrior that had been a tradition for decades.

Before a group of first-graders at the Rosa Parks Elementary School in City Heights, Montezuma made his first official appearance. Clad in attire deemed more representative of the historic Aztec leader, Alberto Martinez, an SDSU junior in political science with a minor in Chicana/Chicano studies, reinforced the idea that he was a symbol of education -- and not a mascot or a cheerleader.

"The Aztecs thought that education was very valuable," he told the students, "and insisted that every boy and girl go to school, just like what you guys are doing."

Formerly known as "Monty Montezuma," the school's mascot and related logo have been the subject of campus debate for several years. While some Hispanic and Native found Monty offensive, the vast majority of students and alumni adored the image, even if the headdress he wore and the spear and shield he carried weren't entirely accurate.

For his part, university president Stephen L. Weber wasn't ready to give up the school's "Aztec" affiliation. Citing the "strength, valor, and intellectual achievement" he associated with the Meso-American people, he decided in November 2000 to keep the school's Aztec ties.

But he did convene a 20-member task force of students, alumni, faculty and local Hispanic and Indian community members to look at the mascot and logo itself. After a review they called difficult, the panel in May of last year recommended both be dropped.

"It is appropriate to continue to use Montezuma as a mark / ambassador of the university, but not as a mascot," the group wrote.

Weber concurred with the suggestion and immediately called a halt to school products that boasted the red-faced logo. He elevated the mascot to an official ambassador, a task eagerly taken on by Martinez.

"I'm very excited to take on this challenging role," Martinez said in a statement. "My parents, who were born in Mexico, instilled an early respect for and pride in culture and traditions."

As Montezuma, Martinez will still appear at school games but won't rally fans with his warrior-like antics. He will also take his mini-lessons on the history of Aztec culture to local schools.

Other schools of higher education still retain their Native-themed mascots and symbols to great opposition. Last October, Native educators and activists held a mascot conference at the University of North Dakota, which doesn't have an Indian mascot but is known by the nickname "Fighting Sioux."

The conference culminated in a protest at the opening of a new hockey arena that features an Indian on a horse dedicated to Lakota Chief Sitting Bull.

The University of Illinois is facing internal dissent over its "Chief Illiniwek" mascot, which is portrayed by a student who dons an Indian costume for games and other events.

Watch Montezuma's Debut:
Video: Rosa Parks Elementary (1/23)

Relevant Links:
Ambassador Montezuma - http://advancement.sdsu.edu/alumni/regalia.html
Mascots and logos, San Diego State University - http://www.sdsu.edu/identity/images.html
Aztec Identity Information, San Diego State University - http://www.sdsu.edu/identity

Related Stories:
California school to drop 'Aztec' mascot (5/16)
School panel recommends change to 'Aztec' mascot (5/3)
'Fighting Sioux' debate rages on (2/19)
School to keep Aztec affiliation (11/17)

Student Opinions:
Sean Clark: Monty is good for Native Americans (The Daily Aztec 10/10)
Human race should unite to eliminate Monty (The Daily Aztec 10/11)