** The main focus will be on the Deaf Department’s mascot as little is known for the Blind Department’s mascot. **
** All images below can be clicked on for a bigger view/version if necessary.
1948 – Deaf Department introduces the Red Raiders mascot to help better identify students rather than being called ‘the deaf lads,’ ‘the VSD aggregation’ and other references by Mr. F Leon Baker
1959 – Blind Department introduces the Chief mascot in honor of Coach William Chief Burrows, also known as the father of VSDB Wrestling
1966 – Deaf Department changes mascot to Cardinals due to many similarities from other schools (consideration began @1964 actually)
Fall 2022 – VSDB Superintendent announces merging both mascots
** References can be found in the VSDB Images/Pictures Book by Faithlyn Robinson on pages 104–105. Other references can be found in the VA Guide (shown below) and the Little Acorn newsletter.
Virginia Guide, Nov. 1966 article
Mack Harris compiled information on Mr. Francis Leon Baker who apparently invented the Raiders mascot (see greyed section)
Daily News Leader, Jan. 11, 1986 article revealing the new Cardinal mascot suit
VSDB Strader Hall showing the Cardinal home, a gift by 1986? class
Updated Cardinal mascot suit (version 1 and 2 shown), year unknown (possibly between 1995-2013)
** The closest visible Chief reference on campus may be the street name in front of the Strader Hall facing the cardinal logo seen above. The street names were added @2011 at the fire department’s request when campus roads were not marked/named, and revealed during the big campus renovation following the merger of Hampton and Staunton schools. If you know of any other examples on campus, let us know.
** There are several noticeable Cardinal markings inside the gym. The gym floor features the bird on the center floor and the ‘cardinal’ word spelled out on the end of the court by stage. Also on the back of the stage is a painted ‘Home of the Cardinal’ sign and banner (along with other state school mascots) . It is not known when it was added as a 1951 dedication picture of the gym shows a bare-bones floor (See Faithlyn’s book, pages 118-119). It should be noted that replacing the floor will not be cheap. Pictures below from 2013 tournaments featuring goalball, basketball and cheerleading. There are several other Cardinal markings on campus including the painted hood inside the Blehm Library building (formerly Stuart Hall) including uniforms as seen below.
September 2022, VSDAA President Michele VanBoxlaere learned from VSDB Superintendent Pat Trice about the ‘One School’ plan and Michele shared the news on Sept. 6, 2022 (see https://www.facebook.com/1102583203/videos/625338889149790). The news was also shared during board meeting on Oct. 1, 2022 and reunion meeting on Sept. 30, 2022 by Pat Trice.
October 2022, Michele VanBoxlaere shared Pat Trice’s ‘One School’ email (PDF format) and chart outlining her plans below.
February 23, 2023, Pat Trice’s updated plans. It should be noted that ‘One School’ plan changed to ‘Unified School’ plan.
March 2023, VSDB Board meets on March 8, 2023 in the Chapel. There were news before and after the meeting, see below.
- BOV videos including alumni that made comments, see https://www.youtube.com/@vsdcardinals-ts7vm.
- Newsleader, March 7, 2023 – VSDB may change Cardinals, Chiefs mascots in effort to unify deaf and blind departments (PDF copy, no photos included)
- WHSV TV News, March 8, 2023 – VSDB Shifting to one school mascot (PDF copy – printout only, no video)
- Newsleader, March 16, 2023 – Tensions Build up over VSDB Mascot (article not listed online, only appeared on newsprints – see photos of it)
- VSDAA President Michele VanBoxlaere’s comment given to BOV board in person. See letter (page 1 and page 2) or ASL video of her message.
- The Cardinals of VSDB’s letter (image) given in person by Patti Cooke which she also signed the message with Michele VanBoxlaere above.
- VSDAA sent BOV members this letter. (PDF version)
*** Several letters were sent around this time and not all are posted here. Some more exist on our Facebook pages. ***
April 12, 2023, the Daily Moth (deaf newspaper) reported on VSDB Mascot debate, see https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyMoth/videos/590289403163444. A copy of the video transcript can be found here (PDF version).
May 2023, VSDB released the 2 mascot options. Some have noted that the Falcon looks similar to VSDB-H’s old Eagle mascot and another noted ‘another bird to replace the Cardinal?’ See the mascot ballot post.
Below is VSDB-H’s Eagle from their old website. Thanks to wayback machine. The blue/white colored eagle statue was an iconic sight on the old VSDB-H campus.
A good number of comments (within the vote announcements) were noted saying that they were not voting (aka: boycotting) the new mascot votes so VSDAA set up a separate poll vote to record how many alumni are refusing to vote for the new mascot choices (fox/falcon). Screenshot of boycotting poll.
ASL Coffee Podcast featured Dave Tester, Alissa Connover and Ricky Taylor discussing the VSDB environment on May 22, 2023. See https://fb.watch/l8S1zRUJit.
June 4, 2023 – VSDB Movement (Deaf Alumni) announce rally/parade/protest plans on Beverly Street and Augusta Street in Staunton, VA on sidewalks on June 23 (Friday) and 24 (Saturday) at 9am. Meet at the current SVCD building is, not by VSDB. SVCD will act as a ‘headquarters’ for the rally. More details to come. Talk about a rally/protest started months ago and is not new. This is to make noise about VSDB about Pat Trice’s performance, not just about the mascot mess.
June 10, 2023 – A new petition ‘Calling to terminate Superintendent Pat Trice’s Contract’ can be found at https://www.change.org/p/calling-to-terminate-superintendent-pat-trice-s-contract?recruiter=1297794636&recruited_by_id=5e838770-b8ab-11ed-a977-6995eda38be6&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard. Screenshot 1 (top part), Screenshot 2 (bottom part).
June 13, 2023 – VSDB announces the mascot results. See https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid027AW7BcDPWogHv4dtpSf5xFnR8QRbtZLvZdvpeK6ALY8Swn2DxeNYNiCjgATGLckjl&id=100063563711177&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=SDPelY. The flyer announcement is also in Spanish on their Facebook post. Screenshot of the Facebook post (click the link to view it).
** Do note that VSDAA has no plans to change the red Cardinal bird mascot and plans on keeping it. **
*** VSDB Rally/Movement page continues on at https://vsdaa.org/18-2/vsdb-movement-rally ***
June 22, 2023 – VSDB Mascot Preservation ideas start. Deadline is July 8, 2023 and all ideas are to be sent to Linda Pierce of TEO Consulting that also did the mascot design. See the preservation flyer for more details.
** It should be noted that all stakeholders ideas are welcomed, although, it is not clear how students can be involved as they are on their summer break now. **
1. What does the Unified School plan mean?
It means getting rid of the current mascots – cardinal and chief to create a new mascot to represent both schools. No more chiefs or cardinals. The plan is to have a sense of unity to represent VSDB according the Superintendent. The current 2022-2023 students have been empowered to create a new mascot to represent both schools. The final decision should come out around the end of the school year.
2. What can I do regarding the mascot debate?
You can contact VSDB Board of Visitors (BOV) at BOV@vsdb.k12.va.us, Department of Education (DOE), VA Governor (804-786-2211 office number or via website), state representatives (preferably your local representative), or other people that oversee the school. You are welcome to show your support for Pat Trice’s unified school mascot proposal or express your support for keeping either mascot (cardinal or chief). It is strongly encouraged that you do it professionally without insults.
You are more than welcome to join VSDAA or other groups that are working on this debate as they may have other options like protesting, news/public reporting, attending BOV meetings, etc.
3. Why is the VSDB website purple?
Red (cardinal) and blue (chief) colors mixed makes purple which is the temporary color for 2022-2023 year until a final decision happens according to VSDB Superintendent. See example below or visit their website at https://www.vsdb.k12.va.us.
4. Who started/supported the unified/one school plan?
According to the BOV minutes dated Sept. 20, 2022, Pat Trice noted plans to finish previous superintendent Nancy Armstrong’s work. See page 9 at https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3372/VSDB/2825207/BOV-Minutes-20220920-Approved__1_.pdf or this snapshot here. This excerpt was from the Superintendent’s Report section and there is no indication that the BOV were aware of the mascot work earlier here.
In other words, did BOV approve the mascot merging? Unclear.
Were students/staff consulted before the start of the mascot merging? Unclear.
Do note that the BOV transferred to VSDB from DOE near the end of Nancy Armstrong’s time so it is not clear who supported the plan and when.
The current BOV draft dated March 8, 2023 draft minutes includes public comments from alumni present.
VSDAA President Michele VanBoxlaere has attempted to contact any of the blind board/alumni reps with little luck to find out more about how the whole thing got started. It is known that in 2011, former principal Jack Johnson attempted to merge the two mascots and a copy of Jack’s email with Alice Frick is here (PDF version) if curious.
Race Drake, former principal, sent a comment to the BOV noting that he never heard of any mascot issues from either departments. A copy of his letter is included here. (PDF version)
- VSDB Board website (includes previous minutes and bylaws) – https://www.vsdb.k12.va.us/page/board-of-visitors
- VSDB website – https://www.vsdb.k12.va.us
- Help Keep Cardinald Flying at VSDB Petition – https://www.change.org/p/help-keep-cardinals-flying-at-vsdb-staunton?source_location=search
- VSDAA’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/918180401533791