Utah School Board Rejects 'Cougar' Mascot to Avoid Offending Older Women: Reasonable or Ridiculous?

Stories about controversial mascots are a dime a dozen. But usually, they involve offensive portrayals of people groups—like Native Americans—not animals.

The future students of Corner Canyon High School, which is set to open in 2013, were given an interesting opportunity: the chance to help select their high school’s colors and mascot. Navy, silver, and white were selected as the school colors, and the “Cougar” won out with 23% of the vote.

However, the members of the Canyons School Board in Draper, Utah, felt the choice was derogatory and offensive to some women—citing the slang use of “cougar” to refer to older women seeking romantic relationships with younger men—and vetoed the selection. They then unanimously settled on another option: the “Charger.”

The Canyons School District website explained, “No other high school in Utah has adopted Chargers as a mascot. Board members noted the alliteration of Corner Canyon Chargers, and that a Charger, a war horse, was selected because it is a prominent animal in Draper and an image of strength that could unify the community. “

Considering Draper’s proximity to Salt Lake City, one might chalk up the school board’s oversensitivity to religious prudery. However, this is unlikely the case, as three other Utah schools plus Brigham Young University claim the “Cougar” as their mascot.

We think this is a case of political correctness run amuck and would like to point out that the "Corner Canyon Cougars" is also alliterative.

What do you think about the school board’s decision? Reasonable or ridiculous?