Bleacher Bits: Cougar mascot too racy for one school

OK, I work for a media outlet so I get the importance of "political correctness" and its importance in avoiding at the very least, hurt feelings.

I also understand how the failure to use politically correct terminology can put a writer or the company he or she works for in danger of possible litigation.

Being "PC" has also affected a high school in the tri-county area, as Colusa High School changed its mascot from the "Redskins" to the "RedHawks," so as not to offend Native Americans.

Some may argue that we've already gone too far in trying to protect everyone's feelings, and that the mascot name changes locally and across the country are ridiculous.

But the school board of a high school has taken any such ridiculousness to a new level.

FoxSports.com on Thursday reported that future students of Corner Canyon High in Draper, Utah, had their choice of a school mascot rejected because it could be seen as offensive to — get this — older women.

What mascot could possibly irk females who fall into such a category? You get an official badge trumpeting the level of your political correctness if you guessed the name, "Cougars."

While the cougar was the top pick for a mascot, garnering 23 percent of the vote, board members of the Canyons School District asserted that the name was not appropriate, since the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists a slang definition of cougar as "a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man."

If that's the case, it looks like Anderson High will also have to drop its '"Cub" mascot, as a cub is also the term used for the younger men who fall prey to the cougars.

After vetoing the cougar idea, the board members chose a warhorse as the mascot, liking the sound of the Corner Canyon Chargers. The board also said the warhorse was an image of strength that could unify the community.

The local Fox-affiliate, KSTU-TV, also reported that in making the decision, the school district noted that three other Utah high schools, as well as Brigham Young University, already use a cougar as their mascot.

So while those three other schools and the NCAA Division I university continue upsetting older women, at least one school district thinks they're doing the right thing.

I'm also thinking they're about the only ones who think they are.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com