The University of Central Oklahoma sits in Edmond, Okla. and has been an institution of higher learning since being founded in 1890. Originally founded as the Territorial Normal School, the institution has gone through multiple name changes.
It was named Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma from 1890 to 1903. Then, the name changed to Central State Normal school till 1918, switching to being called Central State Teacher’s College till 1938.
Central State College was the moniker from 1939 to 1970. Then, the name changed to Central State University till 1991. It has been UCO for the past 30 years after the last name change.
According to the website, the mission of the college is to help “students learn through transformative educational experiences, growing productive, creative, ethical and engaged citizens and leaders.”
Their vision states, “UCO is a recognized metropolitan university, serving our community by providing our students the opportunities to achieve the full measure of their personal, professional and civic potential.”
Even though the college is steeped in tradition, the many name changes show they are not afraid of changing when the need arises.
Recently, a need seemed to arise and once again, UCO is embracing it. They are revising the fight song after receiving some backlash over some of the lyrics.
“Fight boys, fight for UCO! Fight boys, fight today.
Fight for the team, boys. All full of steam, boys.
Hear our cheers for you: Go! Bronchos!
Fight, boys, fight for the Bronze and the Blue;
Fight, boys, fight today. Add one more victory to our team’s history.
U-C-O! Bronchos!”
The fight song is only six lines. However, some people are arguing that there is a derogatory term throughout the song. The word “boy” used out throughout the song is an offensive term to some people, specifically an alumnus of the school.
Reverend Harry Gatewood III was a UCO football player who graduated in 2008. He said that he happened across the offensive word after looking at an Instagram post in June 2021.
“And while looking at that same post about the mascot, I proceeded to go to the UCO history page, Gatewood said in an interview. “And it was the coming together of the UCO fight song being intertwined with Pride Month and Black Music Month.”
Gatewood noted in his interview with KOCO 5 that the problem with the song is it is not inclusive. The use of the word “boy” also bothers him.
“As you may know, the word ‘boy’ back in the more ancient past was used as a derogatory word against Black men,” Gatewood added in his interview. “And some individuals might not see the word ‘boy’ as incriminating or harmful. But when you have Black athletes actually over the age of 18, who are actually men, and you’re telling those ‘Boys to fight,’ it could be a bit demeaning or even more so if you’re a female athlete. I was like, that probably needs to be changed because, as you know, UCO is doing great in regards to women’s athletics.”
After realizing there needed to be a change, Gatewood sent an email to UCO’s Diversity and Inclusion Office. That was when he learned that the college was already taking steps to revise the fight so ng.
UCO officials sent a statement to KOCO 5 and told them that there is already a group of administrators and students who are “currently working together to make revisions to the university fight song that reflect and inclusive community.”
The college stated the goal is to have the new and improved fight song ready for its unveiling in time for fall sports.