Father Robert Roberson, interim president of Roncalli High School said he will appoint a special task force this summer to explore alternative names and symbols that will “better reflect our Catholic mission and honor the legacy of our patron, Angelo Roncalli.”
“The confusion and negative connotation attached to the name Rebels are also a source of concern as we move forward over the next 50 years,” said Terese Carson, vice president for institutional advancement. “We have had alumni and community member express concerns about how this nickname can be misunderstood, particularly as it relates to our deep commitment to honoring the dignity of every person, as Christ calls us to do.”
Roncalli has used the “rebel” mascot and nickname since its creation in 1969, out the consolidation of two different Catholic high schools. The school was named for Pope John XXIII, whose family name was Roncalli. According to the school’s website, the nickname was in homage to him. John XXIII was “referred to by some in the church as a rebel.”