Union College has made an exciting announcement: they are changing their nickname from the Dutchmen and Dutchwomen to the Garnet Chargers. After nearly 10 months of exploration and discussions, the college decided that Garnet Chargers would better represent their history and resonate with current and future students.
In a news release, Union shared that Garnet Chargers was chosen over three other finalists: Garnet Griffins, Garnet Hawks, and Garnet Storm. The decision was made based on ratings from over 1,000 students, alumni, and employees. Before that, the college evaluated about two dozen semifinalist names against a set of criteria to guide the selection process.
The community clearly preferred Garnet Chargers, with many highlighting its connection to Schenectady’s legacy as a leader in electrical technologies. Union’s official color, garnet, has been a part of the college for over 150 years.
Back in February, Union announced that they were considering a nickname change as part of a comprehensive branding update. The goal was to find a nickname and mascot that better exemplified the school’s history and resonated with the current and future student body.
The Dutchmen nickname was originally created by local journalists in the first half of the 20th century as a way to add color to their reporting. However, Union College believes that the Garnet Chargers will now serve as a powerful symbol of the Union College experience and community.
Union men’s lacrosse coach Derek Witheford, a Union graduate himself, expressed his excitement for the new nickname, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and representing something bigger than oneself.
The college is currently finalizing a Garnet Chargers mascot, which will be unveiled in the fall. Students can expect to see signage featuring the Garnet Chargers “Bolt U” logo and wordmark appearing on campus in the coming weeks.
Maren Friday, a Union women’s hockey player, voiced her support for the change, believing that the nickname speaks to the community’s drive and passion to make an impact.
While the announcement drew some backlash from Union fans and alumni, it is clear that the college took into consideration the opinions and feedback from its community throughout the decision-making process.
Former Union football coach John Audino, who led the program from 1992 to 2015, expressed his support for the change, stating that as long as it suits the college’s needs, he is fine with it.
Union College is excited about this new chapter and looks forward to embracing the Garnet Chargers as their new nickname, representing their strong community and rich history.
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