Montclair State University - Athletics

Athletics

Montclair State University's athletic teams have played under many names in the school's history. From the late 1920s-30s, the school played as the "Big Red," and featured a large scarlet "M" on its uniforms. Next, Montclair State Teacher’s College competed as the Indians, using a logo with a Native American chief's profile with the initials "MSTC" emblazoned on the caricature's headdress. The initials were changed to "MSC" when the school became Montclair State College in 1958. At one point in the 1980s, the school's baseball team used the cartoon Native American used by the Cleveland Indians. Finally, in 1989, in response to the growing concerns voiced by many Native Americans, the school changed its nickname to the Red Hawks, named after the Red-tailed Hawks that are indigenous to the area.