Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas-Aztecs: A Unique Matchup That Honors History, Culture
9/27/2024 2:10:00 PM | Football, General, Our Stories
History, tradition, respect, honor.
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All on display Saturday when Central Michigan entertains San Diego State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (3:30 p.m.) in a matchup of institutions that employ the nickname of tribes native to the Americas, in this case the CMU Chippewas and the SDSU Aztecs.
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"We welcome the Aztecs to Mount Pleasant," CMU Zyzelewski Family Vice President Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "This contest provides an opportunity to respectfully showcase the colors, this history, and the culture of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the Aztec. We're honored to host such a game."
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CMU is one of three Football Bowl Subdivision-playing institutions that carry a nickname of a Native American tribe that still has living members. Florida State (Seminoles) and Utah (Utes) are the others.
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The Aztec dominated northern Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. The Aztec Empire was centered in what is now Mexico City and it eventually fell to the Spanish.
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San Diego State has used the Aztec name since 1925.
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Central Michigan adopted the Chippewa nickname in 1942 by vote of the student body. Previously, Central Michigan's athletic teams had first used the Dragons nickname and then Bearcats.
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Today, the university enjoys a strong mutually respectful relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and strives to educate its students and staff on traditional Native American culture.
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All on display Saturday when Central Michigan entertains San Diego State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (3:30 p.m.) in a matchup of institutions that employ the nickname of tribes native to the Americas, in this case the CMU Chippewas and the SDSU Aztecs.
Â
"We welcome the Aztecs to Mount Pleasant," CMU Zyzelewski Family Vice President Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "This contest provides an opportunity to respectfully showcase the colors, this history, and the culture of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the Aztec. We're honored to host such a game."
Â
CMU is one of three Football Bowl Subdivision-playing institutions that carry a nickname of a Native American tribe that still has living members. Florida State (Seminoles) and Utah (Utes) are the others.
Â
The Aztec dominated northern Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. The Aztec Empire was centered in what is now Mexico City and it eventually fell to the Spanish.
Â
San Diego State has used the Aztec name since 1925.
Â
Central Michigan adopted the Chippewa nickname in 1942 by vote of the student body. Previously, Central Michigan's athletic teams had first used the Dragons nickname and then Bearcats.
Â
Today, the university enjoys a strong mutually respectful relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and strives to educate its students and staff on traditional Native American culture.
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