Samuel J. Tilden High School, where Jeff Schrier coached for many years.
Wikimedia photo courtesy of Jim Henderson
Tradition. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the opening scene of Fiddler on the Roof.
But, for Jeff Schrier, it’s all about teams – and their nicknames.
His teams. And why not?
Team names are being changed for what some say is political correctness: the Cleveland Guardians from the Indians, and the Washington Commanders from the Redskins.
“It’s going too far,” Schrier told the Eagle. “In fact,” he continued, “I was just told Canarsie High School has gone away from the Chiefs. Soon, Native Americans will be totally forgotten in American society.”
Jeff Schrier taught — and coached — at Tilden High School for more than two decades. Before that, he spent a dozen years at Thomas Jefferson.
“Tilden,” Schrier said, “was split into three mini-schools a few years ago. The three principals, in their infinite wisdom decided to change the team’s name from the Blue Devils. No new name has been selected yet, nor should it be. I am trying to save the name for the school.”
A gargantuan task, for sure.
Schrier says he’s written the following on the Tilden alumni website — and it seems to have churned up a lot of emotions.
“The needless tampering with tradition must stop,” Schrier penned. “LIU Sharks as opposed to Blackbirds? You do not mess with tradition,” he wrote.
Why?
“As answered in the play, because it is tradition. Comical, but true.”
Schrier claims that several years ago, the city Department of Education decided that large high schools do not serve its students properly. So, he reasoned, they weeded out the student body as it was and created mini schools within each building.
“Each mini having its own principal, administration and staff,” he said. “So in each building, there are three or four people earning principal’s salaries and so on down the pay scale. Money poured into…
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