The Florida State Seminoles are one of the most recognizable college sports teams in the country. With an iconic mascot and a proud tradition of excellence, the Seminoles have been a powerhouse in college sports for decades. But how did they come to be named the Seminoles? In this article, we’ll explore the Native American origin of Florida State’s sports teams and how they’ve come to recognize the Seminoles.
Native American Origin of FSU’s Sports Teams
The Seminole name was chosen by Florida State University in 1947, when the school was looking for a new mascot to replace its former symbol, the Florida State College for Women’s “Garnet and Gold” team. The name was chosen to honor the Seminole people, a Native American tribe that inhabited Florida for centuries before European colonization. The Seminole people have a long history of resisting colonialism and have been a source of pride for the state of Florida.
Florida State’s Naming Tradition
Florida State has a long tradition of honoring the Seminole people. In addition to the Seminoles nickname, the school also has a statue of Osceola, a Seminole chief, on its campus. Osceola is depicted mounted on his horse, Renegade, and is a symbol of the school’s commitment to honoring the Seminole people and recognizing their contribution to the state of Florida.
Recognizing the Seminoles
Florida State’s commitment to recognizing the Seminole people goes beyond just their mascot. The school has also established a scholarship fund in honor of the Seminole people, which provides financial aid to students of Native American descent. The school also has a strong relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which is a federally recognized tribe. Through these efforts, Florida State is able to show its commitment to honoring the Seminole people and recognizing their important contributions to the state.
The Florida State Seminoles are one of the most recognizable college sports teams in the country. With an iconic mascot and a proud tradition of excellence, the Seminoles have been a powerhouse in college sports for decades. But the origin of their name is steeped in Native American history, as the Seminoles were chosen to honor the Seminole people, a Native American tribe that has inhabited Florida for centuries. Through its scholarship fund and its relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida State is able to recognize the Seminole people and honor their important contributions to the state.