Capital University's student athletes will no longer be called the Crusaders.
The school Board of Trustees announced the decision Monday after a 15-month review.
"In recent years, our nickname has been challenged by students and faculty for its connection to the historic Crusades," board chair Andre Porter and interim president Dave Kaufman wrote in a statement. "The detailed study found a significant portion of the Capital Family shares this perspective."
Capital also plans to change its mascot Cappy The Crusader, although neither chance has a timeline yet.
The board says the decision will "enable us to further engage the entire University in the important conversation around diversity, inclusion, equity and human dignity."
The school's teams will remain the Crusaders until a new mascot is chosen – a process that will only begin "after the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided."
"We won’t begin removing the Crusader name or brand from existing materials until it has been officially retired and our new mascot has been adopted and is ready to take its place," the board said.
Capital's decision comes as more sports teams reconsider their names and mascots following pressure from fans and businesses. The Washington, D.C. NFL team on Monday announced it would move away from the "Redskins" monicker, which is a slur against Native Americans.
The Cleveland Indians said they are "exploring" the possibility of a name change, a year after ending the use of Chief Wahoo, a caricature of a Native American, on team uniforms.
