Kelly Berryhill Associate Athletic Director of Major Gifts | Central Michigan Chippewas Website
Kelly Berryhill Associate Athletic Director of Major Gifts | Central Michigan Chippewas Website
Central Michigan University will host San Diego State University at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game is notable as both institutions use nicknames of Native American tribes, with Central Michigan known as the Chippewas and San Diego State as the Aztecs.
"We welcome the Aztecs to Mount Pleasant," said CMU Zyzelewski Family Vice President Director of Athletics Amy Folan. "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."
CMU is one of three Football Bowl Subdivision institutions that carry a nickname of a Native American tribe with living members. The other two are Florida State (Seminoles) and Utah (Utes).
The Aztec Empire was centered in what is now Mexico City and dominated northern Mexico until it fell to Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. San Diego State has used the Aztec name since 1925.
Central Michigan adopted the Chippewa nickname in 1942 following a student body vote. Before that, its athletic teams were known first as the Dragons and then as Bearcats.
Today, CMU maintains a strong mutually respectful relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and works to educate its students and staff on traditional Native American culture.
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