Middle school must change its mascot, U of Cincinnati says

A Tennessee middle school will change its mascot and logo in response to a cease-and-desist letter from the University of Cincinnati, which claimed Cheatham Middle School’s use of the bearcat mascot infringed on the university’s copyright, The Tennessean reported Monday.

After receiving the letter, the middle school initially tried to rework its logo, but UC still said it could not use the name “Bearcats” due to the college’s sports licensing copyright for the name.

The drama has now touched the world of college sports rivalries—namely, between UC and Xavier University, a Jesuit institution also in Cincinnati. Xavier alum Anthony Breen, who owns a marketing agency, contacted Cheatham and offered to help rework their logo, mascot and marketing for free—on the condition that the middle school take on the moniker the Musketeers, Xavier’s mascot.

“We are aware and have been consulted upon by Anthony Breen/Synergistic,” Xavier said in a statement to The Tennessean. “While we work to protect the University’s trademarks and intellectual property, the nickname ‘Musketeers’ is available for Cheatham Middle School or any other school to adopt should they desire to. In our views, this is no different than use of the nicknames ‘Bulldogs’ or ‘Wildcats’ that many schools use, both at the college and high school levels. Our involvement in the matter is to ensure our rights will not be infringed upon.”

According to Cheatham’s athletics director, the new mascot has not been decided, but “Musketeers” is being considered.