Branding and Logo Use

Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School are proud to unveil the new official Radnor Raptors”"bird of prey" logo as well as an official standalone “R” logo inspired by the design of the “R” logo currently used by many school teams and groups.

All new official logos are available for use by teams and groups upon district approval per Board policy. Also available are existing district and school seals. Maroon and white are the traditional school colors represented in the logos; gray is an accent color in the "bird of prey" logo.

To request use of any of the logos and/or seals, please complete and submit this application form. 

The new official logos are accompanied by a new official font that can be used to spell out team and group names upon request. Also available are new official crests for RHS and RMS. The new RHS and RMS crests do not replace the traditional RHS “Knowledge Increaseth Wisdom” seal or the RMS “Initials” seal but provide another option to stakeholders.

As approved by the School Board in April 2021, Varsity Brands LLC designed the new official logos. The design process formally began in early July 2021 after the “Raptors” mascot was approved by the Board on June 29, 2021 following the results of surveys of 8th-12th grade students on June 11 and 14.
 
With input from RHS and RMS student representatives, the bird of prey logo evolved from 10 initial sketches provided by Varsity in late July 2021 to six sketches to the final version. Student representatives also provided feedback on the logo's color scheme and the font's design.

As a district, we are committed to building on the pride and spirit in our students and schools and are excited to move forward as One Radnor!

An update on the logo design process for the new RHS and RMS nickname, Raptors, was provided at the August 10 Government Relations and Communications Committee meeting. 

View Presentation

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The School Board approved the students' selection of Raptors, the birds of prey, as the new nickname/logo for Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School by an 8-0 vote at its regular business meeting on June 29. The vote officially makes Raptors the nickname of RHS and RMS sports teams, as well as that of other groups that have traditionally used the RHS and RMS nickname.

Prior and subsequent to the vote, public comment was heard from community members in attendance as well as comments submitted by email. Also prior to the vote, a presentation by administration highlighted the history of the rebranding project and the project's next steps, which include: working with the previously Board-approved branding firm to begin the logo design process; ordering select uniforms as identified in a June 15 Finance Committee meeting presentation; and continuing to address the instances of the past nickname and imagery through removal/replacement.

More information will be provided as the logo design process gets underway.

Nearly 1,000 students in grades 8-12 at Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School voted on their preferred new RHS and RMS nickname out of two finalists through 4 p.m. on Monday, June 14. With 55.87% of the student vote (552 votes), “Raptors,” the birds of prey, was selected by students as their choice for a new nickname. 

The other new nickname finalist, “R” for Radnor, received 436 votes (44.13%). The 988 total student votes are 67.76% of the student body in grades 8-12 enrolled as of June 11. 

The breakdown of student votes per grade in the final round was: 

• 8th grade: Raptors: 133, “R” for Radnor: 60 
• 9th grade: Raptors: 117, “R” for Radnor: 106 
• 10th grade: Raptors: 99, “R” for Radnor: 78 
• 11th grade: Raptors: 122, “R” for Radnor: 102 
• 12th grade: “R” for Radnor: 90, Raptors: 81 

Following the rebranding project plan and timeline established in January 2021, the students’ chosen new nickname “Raptors” will now move forward to be reviewed by the Board at its June business meeting, which is scheduled to be held in-person on Tuesday, June 29 at the Radnor Township Building.

Should Raptors be adopted, the name would be depicted as a bird of prey in logos to be designed by a professional branding firm with input from students. Birds of prey, such as hawks and falcons, are present in the Radnor area and throughout Pennsylvania. Three owls are also depicted on the RHS crest/seal, which dates back to the early 1930s according to historical records, along with the motto "Knowledge Increaseth Wisdom."

The final two nickname options were selected from a final four that included Griffins/Gryphons and Ruckus. Students voted for their preferred new nickname out of the final four in a first round of voting on June 11 before the final round of voting between “R” for Radnor and Raptors took place during school on June 14.

The students’ new nickname choice was also shared in a “reveal” video that premiered on the District’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. on June 18.

Message posted to Schoology at 6:30 a.m. on June 14 for RHS and RMS students:

Dear RHS and RMS students,

Thank you to everyone who cast a vote last week. We are very excited for your input to help us select the new nickname and mascot for RHS and RMS. The final two new nicknames for your consideration are (in alphabetical order):

• “R” for Radnor 
• Raptors 

Please select your favorite option below. You may only select one choice.

View Mascot Video

Voting will be open today (6/14/21) only. The poll will officially close at 4 p.m., so please get your votes in ASAP. The winner will be revealed on the RTSD YouTube channel at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 18. Thank you for taking the time to vote and let your voice be heard.

Message posted to Schoology at 6 a.m. on June 11 for RHS and RMS students:

Good morning Radnor!

The time has come! We are so excited for your input to help us select a new nickname and mascot for RHS and RMS. The final four names listed below will undergo two rounds of voting by 8th-12th grade students. This first round today will reduce the four new nickname options to two. The second round will reduce the two options to the final new nickname recommendation for the School Board to review/approve at the June 29 School Board Meeting.

We will have an extended homeroom this morning so that you can watch this video in homeroom and then vote for one of the four finalists below. 

The final four new nickname options for your consideration are (in alphabetical order): 

• Griffins/Gryphons
• “R” for Radnor
• Raptors
• Ruckus 

Please remember to watch the video and then go vote on Schoology after 8:30 a.m.

Griffins/Gryphons, "R" for Radnor, Raptors, and Ruckus Move Forward in the Running for the Next RHS and RMS Nickname

The District is excited to announce the four new nickname/logo options for RHS and RMS that have been moved forward for voting by 8th-12th grade students! In alphabetical order, the final four new nickname options are:  

• Griffins/Gryphons 
• “R” for Radnor
• Raptors
• Ruckus

Approximately 600 students in grades 8-12 provided their input on the previous eight new nickname options through a survey given at school the week of May 24. Community members, parents, and alumni provided feedback during focus group sessions on April 22 and 23.  

An analysis of the student quantitative and qualitative feedback revealed the final four new nickname options that students liked the most. An analysis of the focus group data was also undertaken. The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee voted on June 2 to help determine three of the final four: Griffins/Gryphons (by a 17-14 vote); “R” for Radnor (22-8), and Ruckus (18-13). Raptors was added by district administration as a result of the student survey, where more than a third of the respondents listed Raptors as their top new nickname option.

RHS and RMS student input and decision-making is paramount when selecting a new nickname to represent their schools. To support this increased student involvement, the final four will undergo two rounds of voting by 8th-12th grade students. The first round will reduce the four new nickname options to two. The second round will reduce the two options to the final new nickname recommendation for the School Board to review/approve. 

The student voting process will begin as soon as possible. Students will be engaged, involved, and energized in the lead up to the voting through informational materials and promotional videos meant to create excitement and enthusiasm for each of the final four new nickname options.

All students in grades 8-12 were provided the option to complete a survey seeking their feedback on the eight new nickname options. The survey was introduced by a video presentation providing information on the project and the new nickname options.

At reconvened special meeting on May 11, the RTSD School Board voted 6-3 against a proposed motion to reinstate the past nickname for Radnor High School, “Raiders,” as an option for the new nickname for RHS and Radnor Middle School as part of the ongoing mascot selection and rebranding process.

The meeting involved more than five hours of discussion on the subject and was the continuation of a May 4 meeting where 150 public comments on the topic were heard by the Board. The Board also heard approximately 130 pubic comments on the topic at its April 27 regular business meeting. An additional public comment period was also made available by the Board on May 11 prior to the vote on the motion, despite a public comment period not being required for a reconvened meeting. 

The May 11 vote re-affirms an 8-1 vote in September 2020 to remove the “Raiders” nickname from the district and schools as well as re-affirms the past nickname’s ineligibility in the rebranding process. A separate 9-0 vote in September 2020 retired all Native American imagery related to the past nickname.

A second motion to put the rebranding process on hold until January 2022 was also defeated 8-1. A third motion that amended the initial motion to provide more specific direction to administration on moving forward in the rebranding process with a primary focus on student input while maintaining certain aspects of the initial motion, such as educating students on conflict resolution and consulting the National Congress of American Indians on the rebranding effort, was also defeated 5-4.

The five-hour meeting concluded with the administration set to continue with the rebranding process as laid out at the January 26 School Board Business meeting. The original timeline for the project that was first presented in January 2021 (click here) listed the Board's June business meeting as when the new nickname would be recommended by administration for Board review and approval. This recommendation would follow a vote by students in grades 8-12 on the to-be-determined final two nickname options.

The May 11 reconvened meeting continued a recessed May 4 meeting, when approximately 150 public comments were heard by the Board on the topic. The topic was also discussed at the Board’s April 27 regular business meeting, when an additional 130 comments were heard.

More information will be forthcoming on the next steps in the process of selecting a new nickname and mascot for RHS and RMS.

The RTSD School Board has established Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. to reconvene the previously recessed May 4 special meeting to discuss the rebranding process. The meeting will be streamed live to the RTSD YouTube channel.  As a reminder, since this is a reconvened meeting to resume a previously recessed meeting, there is no additional public comment period. For reference, over two meetings on April 27 and May 4, approximately 280 public comments on the subject were heard by the Board.

At a special meeting of the RTSD School Board on May 4 beginning at 7 p.m., the Board heard from approximately 130 students, parents, community members, and alumni regarding the past RHS nickname, "Raiders," and its status in the rebranding process for RHS and RMS. Including the comments delivered at the Board's April 27 regular business meeting, a total of approximately 280 comments have been heard by the Board regarding the issue of the nickname at two meetings taking place within a week.

The May 4 comments, about 20 of which were delivered live by the commenter on Zoom while the remaining comments were read by district staff, were heard over more than four hours. At the conclusion of public comment, the Board voted 6-3 to recess the meeting to allow for a full discussion among the Board on the below motion presented at the meeting. Recessing the meeting was also intended to allow a greater number of interested parties, including students, to watch the ensuing discussion live, instead of undertaking the discussion at an hour when many would not be watching.

The date when the recessed meeting will resume will be made available ASAP.

May 4, 2021 Board Motion

"Permit the Raider name as an option for consideration in the mascot selection and rebranding process with the following parameters: A) Identify next steps in the process that empowers students to evaluate names under the guiding principles, with a goal of selecting two options for a final student body vote. B) Provide information and promote dialogue of different perspectives among the students, including education on conflict resolution, civility and social media etiquette. C) If the name Raider is selected by students as an option that moves forward, enlist the consultation of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) on the rebranding efforts to ensure that it meets with their approval. D) Task the administration to 1) include an educational component to the new Spirit Gallery that tells the history of the Raider name and Radnor’s decision to remove Native American imagery from our branding, and 2) identify opportunities in Radnor schools for greater awareness and understanding of the history and struggles of Native Americans and provide recommendations for improvements."

The RHS and RMS student focus groups to provide feedback on the new nickname options have been postponed and registered students have been notified. 

Student feedback is of utmost importance during this new nickname selection process. In light of an announcement at the School Board's April 27 regular business meeting of the scheduling of a new special Board meeting to discuss the topic of the new nickname on May 4, it is prudent to currently pause the student focus groups to help ensure that when they are convened after the special Board meeting, focus group facilitators and students will have the most updated and accurate information to discuss.

It is important to note that the School Board did not take any official action on the issue of the past or possible future nickname at this meeting; the last official action the Board took on this issue was voting to retire the past nickname and related imagery by 8-1 and 9-0 votes, respectively, in September 2020.

All students who registered for the postponed focus groups will be contacted directly in advance of the rescheduled focus groups with new registration details.

 
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The RTSD School Board held its monthly business meeting on Tuesday, April 27 and heard approximately 150 comments from students, parents, alumni, and community members concerning the topic of the RHS past nickname, “Raiders,” as well as the future of the RHS nickname, which will also be adopted by Radnor Middle School.
 
At the end of the April 27 meeting, the Board announced it would schedule a special meeting next Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m., to discuss the rebranding of the Radnor mascot/name, and any other business to come before the Board. This meeting will again be live-streamed on the district YouTube channel and public comments will be taken.

Please note that the School Board did not take any official action on the issue of the past or possible future nickname at this meeting; the last official action the Board took on this issue was voting to retire the past nickname and related imagery by 8-1 and 9-0 votes, respectively, in September 2020.

A rebranding firm, Varsity Brands, was approved by the School Board at its April 27 business meeting to design the new logo for RHS and RMS. Due to an existing partnership, Varsity Brands will complete the redesign at no cost.

Approximately 75 alumni, parents, and community members joined administrative members of the Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee to share their thoughts on the eight new RHS and RMS nickname options at virtual focus groups on April 22 and 23. Participants were asked to provide quantitative and qualitative feedback. More details to come.

Radnor Township School District community members and Radnor High School alumni are invited to provide feedback on the new nickname options for Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School at virtual focus group sessions on Thursday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, April 23 at 9 a.m. 

Interested community members and alumni must register for their preferred focus group sessions by Thursday, April 22 at 12 p.m. to participate. Details for accessing the Zoom will be sent directly to registrants the day of the focus group.

More Information

• The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee has narrowed the list of 57 RHS/RMS nickname options to eight for the focus groups to offer feedback. The entire list of 57 new nickname options will also be reviewed during the focus group meetings, as will the process that led to the selection of the eight new nickname options for focus group feedback.
• The district’s Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee  has been working together since February  2021 to review the eligible new RHS nickname options submitted by students and the community from Feb. 28-March 12. The committee’s work follows a rebranding plan unveiled at the January 28, 2021 RTSD School Board Meeting.
• Ultimately, students in 8th-12th grades will vote on their preferred new nickname out of the final two options. This student vote is currently scheduled for the beginning of June, with the School Board set to vote on the final new nickname at its June 22 monthly business meeting.
• RMS and RHS staff will have the opportunity to provide feedback during optional staff meetings on April 22. 
• Interested elementary staff is welcome to attend one of the community focus group sessions.
• Virtual student focus group sessions are scheduled to take place April 29 and 30.  

Dear RTSD Families, 

We are writing to ensure you aware of focus groups we are hosting to gather feedback on new nickname/logo options for Radnor High School and Radnor Middle School. Information on these focus groups has been shared on our website and elsewhere, however we wanted to contact our families directly about these opportunities. 

The virtual community focus groups will be held this Thursday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, April 23 at 9 a.m. The deadline to register has been extended to Thursday, April 22 at 12 p.m. 

As many of you are aware, at a Board meeting on August 4, 2020, hundreds of public comments were heard concerning the previous “Raiders” nickname and related Native American imagery. On September 2, 2020, the Board meeting was reconvened, and the School Board voted to remove the past RHS nickname “Raiders” and all Native American imagery from the school and district. Once that vote was taken to remove the imagery and name, the Board tasked the administration to develop an inclusive process to select a new nickname/logo. 

In hopes of bringing the community together in the process of selecting a new nickname/logo, the administration created a stakeholder committee and purposely included students and community members with strong and differing views about the removal of the past nickname and related imagery.  

The committee spent the majority of its first two meetings (Feb. 18 and 25) discussing why the Board’s decision was made to remove the past nickname and imagery, and how does the committee move forward understanding that a decision has been made and that the committee’s purpose is to select a new nickname/logo for RHS and RMS. 

As part of the process of selecting the new nickname, the committee asked the community to provide new nickname submissions from February 28 through March 12. Any community member was able to submit as many submissions as they wished since the submissions process wasn’t a voting process and was designed to gather as many potential new nicknames as possible.   

Ninety-six distinct nickname suggestions were submitted. The past nickname received 992 submissions. The possible new nickname with the next highest submissions was Griffins/Gryphons with 48.. 

Since the purpose of the committee was to select a new nickname, submissions for the past nickname were not viable options moving forward for the work of the committee. Beginning April 6, the committee set out to discuss the reduced list of 56 eligible new nicknames with a goal of narrowing the list down to 8-10 potential names that could be shared during focus groups for community feedback.  

Seven possible new nicknames were discussed during meetings on April 6, 8 and 15, with none earning the support of at least 50% of the committee to move forward under the initial nomination process (Dragons, Griffins, Maroons/Reds/Crimson, Phoenix, Raptors, Revolution, Ruckus). Unfortunately, after three 90-minute meetings, the initial nomination process only yielded one new potential option: "No Nickname, RHS and RMS would simply be known as “Radnor” represented by an "R."  

Once the committee’s initial process didn’t succeed in identifying 8-10 options for new nicknames, a second process was implemented in which individual committee members were asked to complete an online survey where they would select seven new nickname options out of the list of 56. This second process was meant to help the committee reach one of its goals stated at the group’s inception: to move forward at least eight new nickname options for the community and student focus groups. The seven highest ranking names were added to the one option selected in the first process. 

Based on the two processes used, the new nickname options that the committee moved forward for focus group feedback are (in alphabetical order): Dragons, Griffins/Gryphons, Hawks, No Nickname (RHS and RMS would simply be known as “Radnor” represented by an "R”), Phoenix, Rain Frogs, Raptors, and Ruckus. 

We are excited to invite community members and students to participate in the focus groups and provide their thoughts on these new nickname options, as well as to learn more about the complete list of 56 eligible new nicknames and the process that led us to the eight options.  

All the feedback received in the focus groups will be given to the committee so the committee can then narrow the options to two to three to then be voted on by students in grades 8-12. The new nickname option that receives the most student votes will be moved on to the School Board for final review and approval, currently scheduled for the June 22, 2021 Board Business Meeting. 

We know this is a lot of information, but we wanted to share a thorough update on this project with our families.

Thank you. 

Sincerely, 

Dan Bechtold and Michael Petitti 
Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee Co-Chairs 

The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee reconvened on April 19.

Introduction of Meeting

• The committee reviewed its purpose and guiding principles for a new nickname as has been its practice at every meeting
• The committee was reminded of the need to reduce the 56 eligible new nickname submissions to 8-10 for focus group feedback
• As of the meeting, the committee had moved forward just one name for focus group feedback: "No Nickname, simply Radnor with 'R' as the logo"
• The first focus group meeting for the community and alumni is scheduled for Thursday, April 22

"Plan A" Process of Reducing New Nicknames to 8-10 for Focus Group Feedback

• Since the committee's first meeting on Feb. 18, 2021, the committee was made aware its purpose was to select a new nickname for RHS and RMS
• Since the committee's first meeting on Feb. 18, 2021, the committee was charged with reducing the 57 eligible new nickname options to 8-10 for feedback from focus groups
• Per the project timeline first provided to the committee on Feb. 18, 2021, the focus groups were initially planned to be held between April 12-27, 2021
• Over the last three meetings (April 6, 8 and 15), the committee followed a "Plan A" process developed by administration to reduce the nicknames to 8-10
• Under Plan A:
  • All 56 initial eligible nicknames were available for nomination by any committee member to possibly move forward to focus groups
  • A nomination needed to be seconded for committee discussion and vote
  • After a second and committee discussion, an anonymous Zoom poll was taken​ among committee members
  • If a nominated new nickname received at least 50% of committee members voting "YES," the nominated new nickname would move to focus groups 
• Over the last three meetings (April 6, 8 and 15), the committee was unable to utilize Plan A to successfully reduce the 57 eligible nicknames to the 8-10 needed for the focus groups
  • During the above meetings, one new nickname moved to the round of focus groups as a result of Plan A: "No Nickname, simply Radnor with an 'R' as the logo" (27 Yes, 4 No). This nickname option was added to the list of eligible new nicknames after committee discussion on April 15
  • The nicknames nominated but not successful during Plan A were, in order:
    • April 6
      • No nominations due to prolonged discussion of past nickname
    • April 8
      • Raptors: 17 Yes, 18 No 
      • Griffins/Gryphons: 15 Yes, 20 No
      • Phoenix: 15 Yes, 19 No
    • April 15
      • Dragons: 11 Yes, 19 No
      • Maroon/Red/Crimson: 13 Yes, 17 No
      • Ruckus: 10 Yes, 22 No
      • Revolution: 14 Yes, 18 No

"Plan B" Process of Reducing New Nicknames to 8-10 for Focus Group Feedback

The Plan A process developed by administration was not successful in achieving the purpose of the committee to reduce the eligiblie nicknames to 8-10 for focus group feedback

Due to Plan A not being successful, administration developed a Plan B

At its April 15 meeting, the committee was informed of the possibility of moving to Plan B if Plan A did not produce the necessary 8-10 new nickname options for focus groups

At the April 19 meeting, with Plan A not producing the needed 8-10 nicknames over the course of three full meetings, Plan B was instituted and followed

Under Plan B:

Each committee member was requested to complete an online survey via SurveyMonkey

​Each committee member was requested to choose exactly 7 new nickname options out of the initial 56

​The 7 new nicknames with the most selections would join "No Nickname, simply Radnor with an 'R' for a logo" for feedback from the focus groups

Due to Plan A being unsuccessful, all 56 eligible nicknames were available for selection

The survey was completed by 29 of the 30 committee members (administrators were not permitted to complete the survey), with the following 7 options most selected:

Griffins/Gryphons (13 selections)

Raptors (13)

Dragons (9)

Hawks (9)

Phoenix (9)

Rain Frogs (9)

Ruckus (8)

The above 7 most-selected new nickname options now join "No Nickname, simply Radnor with an 'R' for a logo" for feedback from focus groups on the below dates:

Thursday, April 22, 6:30 pm (Community/Alumni)

Friday, April 23, 9 a.m. (Community/Alumni)

Thursday, April 29 (RHS Students)

Friday, April 30 (RHS and RMS Students)

Week of April 26: RHS and RMS Staff

All the feedback received in the focus groups will be given to the committee so the committee can then narrow the options to two to then be voted on by students in grades 8-12.

The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee reconvened on April 15 to resume the nomination and voting process with the goal of narrowing down the initial 56 new nickname submissions to 8-10 to move to the next round for review by stakeholder focus groups.  

The committee discussed several new nicknames that were nominated by members from the initial list of 56 options, with none moving forward.

During the discussions, the concept of the new nickname perhaps being “Radnor,” with the letter “R” as the new logo, was proposed.  

The committee revisited the original list of the 96 distinct submissions and confirmed that prior to the list being reduced to 56, a new nickname suggestion was submitted proposing “no name, just R.” The committee agreed it was permissible, per its established process, to move this submission back into the eligible list, thus qualifying it for nomination.

After a vote, "No Nickname, simply Radnor with R as the logo" became the first new nickname suggestion to move to the second round.

The meeting closed with a review of the design firm proposed to complete the rebranding and the committee scheduled activities in the coming months. The committee scheduled an additional meeting on Monday, April 19 to resume the task of finalizing the list of new nickname options and preparing for the focus group sessions, with the first currently scheduled for Thursday, April 22.

The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee met on April 8 to begin reducing the 56 eligible nicknames/logos to the 8-10 to move forward for review by stakeholder focus groups.
 
The meeting began with an introduction from Superintendent Dr. Ken Batchelor addressing the previous meeting’s lengthy discussion about the past Radnor High School nickname “Raiders.” The committee again heard the reason for the committee’s creation: a September 2, 2020 vote by the School Board to remove the nickname “Raiders” and all related Native American imagery from RHS. The Board charged administration to form a committee of stakeholders to aid in the selection of a new nickname/logo. The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee is that committee. 
 
Also discussed was a committee member’s previous suggestion that members possibly sign and send a letter to the School Board that broaches the topic of retaining the “Raiders” nickname as an option for the committee to discuss. Dr. Batchelor advised the committee that the committee is not the vehicle for any efforts to retain the past nickname, and that letters and other retention efforts or suggestions are not within the established charge or purpose of the committee, which is to “select a new nickname/logo for Radnor High School, which will be adopted by Radnor Middle School.”  
 
Committee members who wish to retain the past nickname were encouraged to pursue this goal, if desired, by continuing to engage the Board through the appropriate communication channels and venues available to all residents with concerns about Board action. Committee members were also offered an opportunity to meet with Dr. Batchelor and committee co-chair Dan Bechtold separately to learn more about ways to engage the Board about this issue. 
 
Approximately an hour into the meeting, the committee began the process of narrowing the 56 eligible nickname options to 8-10. Three nicknames were nominated with none moving forward as of the April 8 meeting. The committee will reconvene on April 15. 

The Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee reconvened via Zoom on April 6 after previously scheduled meetings on March 18 and 25 had to be rescheduled. The committee was presented with a summary of the nickname/logo submission results and a list of the 56 eligible nickname/logo submissions.

The committee was asked by administration to break into groups to review the 56 submissions and each submission's accompanying rationale. The full committee would then reconvene to begin the nomination and voting process to reduce the 56 submissions to 8-10. 

"Raiders" Discussion and Moving Forward With A New Nickname

The group spent considerable time both in break out groups and as a full committee discussing the circumstances behind the removal of the previous Radnor High School nickname, “Raiders,” and this past nickname’s future prospects in the rebranding process.

Administration reminded the committee of the project’s purpose, “To select a new nickname/logo for Radnor High School, which will also be adopted by Radnor Middle School,” and revisited the circumstances that led to the creation of the committee and its purpose, namely:

• “Raiders” was removed as a nickname/logo for Radnor Township School District and its schools by an 8-1 School Board vote on 9/2/20​
• The vote to remove “Raiders” was an official decision made by the governing body of Radnor Township School District and its schools​
• Under the official vote, “Raiders” is not an option for the new nickname/logo of the district or any school​

The administration restated that the task of the committee is to move forward and select a new nickname/logo for RHS and RMS.

Submission vs. Vote

The committee was reminded that:

• The nickname/logo submission process was not a voting process​. If a voting process, only one submission would’ve been permitted per individual​ and demographic data would have been collected.
• The number of submissions received for a particular nickname/logo is not intended as a determining factor on whether a submission moves to the next round
• All submissions should be equally vetted against the “Six Guiding Principles” as established by the committee​
• The 8-10 submissions that move to the next round should be the submissions that most closely align with the criteria set forth in the “Six Guiding Principles”

Submission Results Summary

• Submissions Accepted February 28-March 12
• 1,315 Total Submissions Received
• 96 Distinct Submissions Received
• 12 Submissions Received Five or More Submissions
  • Raiders: 992
  • Gryphons/Griffins: 48
  • Raptors: 39
  • Hawks (Red or Red-Tailed): 38
  • Ruckus: 34
  • Ravens: 11
  • Rhinos: 9
  • Foxes (Red or Red-Tailed): 7
  • Revolution: 7
  • Rams: 6
  • Dragons: 5
  • Rebels: 5

The 56 Eligible Submissions

• Bellwethers ​
• Caracals ​
• Cardinals ​
• Crimson Tide ​
• Dragons​
• Eagles ​
• Engineers​
• Falcons ​
• Fire ​
• Foxes​
• Grizzlies/Bears ​
• Gryphons/Griffin ​
• Hawks​
• Honey Badgers  ​
• Liberty ​
• Lightning ​
• Lions/Pride ​
• Maroons/Red ​
• Mustangs ​
• Owls ​
• Panthers ​
• Patriots ​
• Phoenix ​
• Pirates ​
• Rabbits ​
• Racers   ​
• Rain Frogs  ​
• Rams​
• Rangers ​
• Raptors​
• Rascals  ​
• Rattlesnakes ​
• Ravens​
• Rays ​
• Red Deer/Stags ​
• Redbirds ​
• Redwings ​
• Regiment ​
• Renegades ​
• Retrievers ​
• Revolution ​
• Rhinos​
• Rivals ​
• River Otters​
• Riveters ​
• Roadrunners ​
• Robins ​
• Rockets ​
• Rollers   ​
• Royals ​
• Ruckus​
• Silures ​
• Stars ​
• Trailblazers ​
• Warriors  ​
• Wolves

Follow-Up Meeting, April 8

Each break out group was provided time to review the 56 eligible submissions and rationale. However, due to the robust discussions concerning “Raiders” during the meeting, the full committee was unable to begin the nickname nomination and voting process, which aims to reduce the eligible nicknames to 8-10 to move to the next round. In the next round, focus groups will be held for all interested students, staff, community members, and alumni to share their perspectives on the 8-10 finalists.

With the 56 eligible submissions and their corresponding rationale in hand, the committee is prepared to reconvene April 8 with the nickname options to begin the nomination/voting process.

Taking the next step in the rebranding process for Radnor High School, all interested members of the Radnor community (students, staff members, parents/guardians, alumni, and residents) are invited to offer suggestions for the next RHS nickname/logo, which will also be adopted by Radnor Middle School.

The RTSD School Board removed the Native American imagery and the "Raiders" name as Radnor's nickname/mascot on September 2, 2020. We are now seeking suggestions for a new nickname and mascot as we move forward as one community.

The deadline for submissions is March 12.

The second meeting of the Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee was held virtually on February 25. The meeting was led by project co-chairs Dan Bechtold and Michael Petitti.

Bechtold and Petitti shared a PowerPoint presentation to help finalize the commiittee's purpose and guiding principles for selecting a new RHS nickname/logo. Also shared was the proposed community survey that will solicit suggestions for the new nickname/logo, which will also be adopted by RMS. The survey is open Feb. 28- March 12.

The final purpose of the committee is:

To select a new nickname/logo for Radnor High School, which will also be adopted by Radnor Middle School.

The final guiding principles for the new RHS nickname/logo are:

Align with the school colors of maroon and white and translate to identifiable branding​
Exude positive qualities​
Promote school pride and generate excitement​
Honor Radnor history and traditions​
Reflect the values and standards of Radnor Township School District (click here)​
Represent all stakeholders

The committee then broke into two groups of 20 led by members of the core admin team to discuss the below three questions: 

Why do you think people want to keep the "Raiders" name? (the previous RHS nickname/mascot)
Why do you think people want to remove the "Raiders" name?
How do we move forward as a community knowing a decision has been made to remove the "Raiders" name and imagery?

The conversations, which lasted about an hour, were honest and lively and gave committee members the opportunity to share their perspectives on the issue.

The committee's next meeting is scheuduled for March 18 to allow the community survey to be administered (March 1-12). The committee will be provided the full results and an executive summary of the survey in preparation for the March 18 meeting. At this meeting, the objective is to reduce submissions to 8-10 to move into the next round, based on the guiding principles and committee discussion.

The first meeting of the Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee was held virtually on February 18. The meeting was led by project co-chairs Dan Bechtold and Michael Petitti.

Following introductions from each of the 42 committee members in attendance, Bechtold and Petitti shared a PowerPoint presentation that provided the foundation for the project for all members to work from a common understanding.

The committee's proposed purpose and guiding principles were also presented, and committee members were asked to review to provide feedback at the next committee meeting. The committee was also provided draft questions for a community survey set to open March 1 to also review for further discussion at the next meeting.

Lastly, the committee was asked to think about the different perspectives fellow group members may have regarding this rebranding project, and to come prepared to have honest discussions at the next meeting, currently scheduled for Thursday, February 25.

In response to an application for membership in the stakeholder Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee that was open January 27 to February 4, more than 130 applications were received from students, staff members, parents, alumni, and Radnor residents. Each applicant is appreciated for their interest and willingness to volunteer their help. 

When administration first presented the process for selecting a new team name/mascot at RHS at the Jan. 26 Board business meeting (click here), it was announced that the stakeholder committee would consist of 20-40 community members, not including the core administrative team, to ensure an effective and efficient process with room for all to contribute. The goal was also to assemble a diverse group of individuals with a variety of perspectives. 
 
After carefully vetting the applicants using a number of criteria, 40 of the 132 applicants were directly invited to join the committee. The individuals who did not make the committee were also notified as well as reminded of the multiple ways to provide feedback regardless of committee membership. An email address, rebranding@email.com, is available for all community members to share their thoughts and questions at any time. A community survey is planned for launch in early-March and community focus groups are scheduled to be held in mid-April. A dedicated website available here will chronicle our work. We hope you will participate in these activities and remain involved. We will share more information as this feedback opportunities approach. 

The first meeting of the Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee to scheduled to be held over Zoom on Thursday, February 18. The names of the committee members will be shared on this webpage at a later date.

District administration presented the process for selecting a new Radnor High School team name and mascot, and related rebranding activities, during the January 26 Board Business meeting. Students, staff, alumni, parents/guardians, and community members interested in serving on a stakeholder "Mascot Selection and Rebranding Committee" that will help put forth options for a new name/mascot are welcome to apply for this committee. Applications will be accepted through February 4, and the first stakeholder committee meeting is scheduled for February 18 over Zoom.

In addition to the formation of a stakeholder committee, the Mascot Selection and Rebranding Plan includes a core administrative task force that will guide the process and the stakeholder committee; a survey for all students, staff and community members scheduled to open March 1-12; various stakeholder focus groups scheduled to be held April 12-27; and a vote by students in grades 8-12 scheduled for May 19 and 20, among other activities. The Board is then scheduled to make a decision on the new mascot/name at its June 22 monthly Business meeting.

To date, the core administrative task force has met seven times since October 2020 to prepare the launch of the rebranding plan. The to-be-formed stakeholder committee is set to meet at least monthly through June.

The former Radnor High School name/mascot, "Raiders," was officially retired by the School Board on September 2, 2020.

To foster a fully inclusive community and after listening to extensive community and student comments on the topic, the RTSD School Board voted on September 2 to retire the "Raiders" name/mascot and all associated Native American imagery from Radnor Township School District and its schools. 

Administration will work to develop a plan for removing all applicable imagery as well as for creating and establishing a new name/mascot, which will include student, community, staff, and alumni input and involvement. The process will also involve creating and establishing ways for students to reflect and learn from the past as it relates to the Raiders name/mascot as well as other Radnor traditions and history, including that of the surrounding community and its history concerning Native Americans.

Board member Liz Duffy, referencing a recent similar discussion concerning a school's mascot at a neighboring district, said an element of that conversation resonated with her: "There are three things a mascot must do: it must do no harm, it must tell a story about the community, and it must be a symbol for all the community to rally around.' I think this is an opportunity for a fresh start and I want to turn the page and be excited and as great as we can be."

"If you believe [Raiders] has been a tribute and that the association was a positive one, I know that is a sincere feeling and I'm sure that's the feeling I had when I was a teenager at RHS in the 90s," Board member and Radnor High School alum Bradley Moore said. "But the standard of what we know is good and decent [has] changed and we should recognize that. Our tradition isn't a mascot or an image or a name, our tradition is excellence and life-long learning and I want to move forward with that spirit."

The conversation surrounding the appropriateness of the Raiders name/mascot has been taking place since at least 2006, according to a timeline examining the history of the name/mascot presented at an initial August 4 Special School Board Meeting focused on the subject. During that August 4 meeting, more than 140 public comments were heard on the subject. In recent months, the conversation regarding the "Raiders" and calls for the mascot's removal have been amplified through social media and other community-outreach campaigns.

More information will be shared with the community as the process moves forward.

More than 140 community members shared their perspectives on the Radnor Raiders name/mascot during a Special Board Meeting on Aug. 4. Thirty-five comments were read live by the commenter during the meeting and the remaining comments were read by district representatives. At the conclusion of public comment, the Board took a recess with plans to continue discussion on the topic at a later date. Click here to view the meeting video. 

Dear Radnor Community,

Over the years, public conversations have taken place about the history and appropriateness of Radnor High School’s team name and mascot, the Radnor Raiders. Concerns were primarily raised over Radnor’s association of Native American imagery with the name. In the last few weeks, these conversations have been renewed and amplified through social media, email, and letters to the district.

We have heard a range of opinions from community members and value your feedback and perspectives. While we are currently focused on safely re-opening our schools in the midst of a complex and unprecedented Covid-19 environment, our School Board and administration are committed to discussing this topic and hearing from our community.

We are planning a Special Board meeting on Tuesday, August 4, at 7 p.m. so the Board can hear community comments on this topic. At the conclusion of public comment, the Board will discuss next steps involved in this important conversation.

The meeting on August 4 will be held over Zoom and streamed live via the district's YouTube channel here. We welcome all views and perspectives on this topic to be submitted here by August 3 at 12 p.m.

In preparation for the August 4 meeting, we would like to provide some background regarding the team name and mascot, as well as current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout Radnor Township School District.

Recent Developments Concerning the “Radnor Raiders”

In June 2013, the district formally announced the “retirement” of the costumed “Raiders” mascot, an exaggerated Native American caricature who, as recently as 2011, roamed the sidelines at Radnor High School football games. You can read the district's official announcement regarding this development here. More recently, articles and opinion pieces published by the RHS student newspaper, “The Radnorite,” explored the name issue, its influence, and some traditions, such as the “tomahawk chop” at athletic events.

“Raiders” or “Red Raiders”

Throughout these discussions and critiques there has been general confusion on whether Radnor’s mascot/name is the “Raiders” or the “Red Raiders.” The current name is the “Raiders.” It is believed that “Red Raiders” originated in newspaper offices. Local sports coverage sought to distinguish the Ridley Raiders (green uniforms) from the Radnor Raiders (red uniforms). Over time, the nomenclature stuck so that the “red” in the name made its way onto certain items associated with RHS athletic teams and in references of the team by community members. 

Moving Forward With Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

At the June 16 School Board Curriculum Committee meeting, a presentation was provided by administrators from each RTSD school to review that school’s DEI efforts. These efforts and initiatives have been underway for several years, and were recounted to reaffirm the district’s commitment to bolstering this work for the future. New goals for the DEI efforts were announced, as were “four pillars” that the district will focus on to provide a foundation for accomplishing these goals. 

As always, thank you for your support of our schools.

Sincerely,

Ken and Susan                                                         

Kenneth E. Batchelor
Superintendent of Schools                

Susan Stern
School Board President

Radnor High School students, with the support of district teachers and administrators, shared their decision to officially retire the school's physical, costumed mascot with members of the School Board's Policy Committee at its June 18 meeting. The nickname "Radnor Raiders" and logos such as the "R" in a circle with feathers and the signage at Prevost Field will remain. The students' decision was reached after a dedicated review and strikes a balance between maintaining tradition and respecting all people.

The decision is in line with a core vision of the district to encourage students to enhance their communities – both within and outside the school – through ongoing choice and action. While a person wearing a mascot costume has rarely been present at athletic events in recent years, the decision is an official goodbye to the character. At the same time, the school and students recognize and appreciate the tradition the mascot may represent to alumni. The Radnor Raider name and certain logos are maintained to honor this tradition and the pride it continues to instill in students.