TAMPA -- Years of controversy comes to an end as a Tampa high school gets the go-ahead to change its mascot.
Hillsborough School Board members have voted to approve a mascot change from the Chamberlain Chiefs to the Chamberlain Storm. Students chose the Storm mascot in an election. The vote was 5-1 with Melissa Snively voting no and Stacy Hahn not present.
That followed an earlier vote to reject the Chiefs name in June. Chamberlain's teams have been known as the Chiefs since 1956, and several alumni turned out to object to the change at the June meeting.
Costs include replacing signs, about $17,000, and more than $30,000 to replace uniforms, the stadium banner, the band truck wrap, and graduation table drapes.
The new mascot will officially be unveiled at homecoming October 28th. A change in signage will follow.
A trophy case and a logo in the hallways will remain as a tribute to history.
Photo: Hillsborough School District