Northwest Nazarene University Drops Crusader Mascot

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — Officials with Northwest Nazarene University have announced the school is dropping its crusader mascot. The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that NNU President Joel Pearsall informed students Monday that the university's new mascot would be the nighthawks. According to NNU, the change comes after students, community members and alumni raised concerns about the history of violence and destruction associated with crusaders. The university formed a task force last year to determine a new mascot for the private school. NNU officials say the mascot change is effective immediately, but the crusader mascot will remain on trophies and banners part of the campus' historical displays.