More stuff that happened while I was out…Houston 1836 is no more, Houston Dynamo takes its place.
The team officially gave its 1836 name the boot and announced it will build its brand around Dynamo during an unveiling ceremony at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
“Dynamo is a word to describe someone who never fatigues, never gives up,” team president Oliver Luck said. “The new name is symbolic of Houston as an energetic, hard-working, risk-taking kind of town.”
The name is not Dynamos, as in the short-lived professional team that roamed the pitch at Butler Stadium briefly in the mid-80s as part of the now-defunct United Soccer League. It’s Dynamo as a reference to an energy source and in tribute to the city’s outgoing spirit and ties to energy, Luck said.
The nixing of 1836 was expected after the name was deemed offensive by some in the Hispanic community shortly after its unveiling Jan. 25.
Well, okay. I’ve said before that I liked Houston 1836 just fine, but I respect the reasons why people objected and certainly understand why the team felt the need to act. Frankly, as long as we didn’t get Houston Lone Star or some similarly insipid offering, I was going to accept it. Enough of the name game, it’s time to play ball.
Reaction on soccer Web blogs, including the Chronicle’s, has been mixed. The new name has been called everything; from “lame”, “horrible” and “unoriginal” to a “PC debacle” to “catchy” and “unique.”
Many bloggers were angry the name was changed to begin with, calling it an “insult to Texas history.” Most, though, suggested that the team move on and focus on the game.
John, Lair, and Pete reach for the pop culture references, while Houstonist notes that there’s already a Moscow Dynamo and a Kiev Dynamo, and Rob brings the Russian to expand on that. Make of it what you will.
Once again Texas is under the charge of something other than Texans. At least we know now that the Mexicans have more power with changing sport names than the Native Americans. It is always good to know where you stand. I’m just waiting for the professional team “Kickin’ White Boys” so I can finally boycott and picket something. I do have Indian blood directly back to Osceola, but the spirits just aren’t getting riled up for me there. Can I still buy a Houston 1836 shirt somewhere. It will go great with my “I won’t whore for Leininger” shirt from PD.
Personally I just thought that the 1836 was inappropriate because it doesn’t suit the inspiration. The European teams who do that use the year of the club’s founding, not the city’s.
If they’d been named the 2006, I’d find it silly, but at least apt.
Of course, some people might think of laundry detergent when they think of Dynamo. 🙂
I must admit, however, that I like the name, although they could have kept the idea they had in mind and renamed the team Houston 06.
I wonder, however, if British expatriates in Philadelphia are offended by the professional basketball team that plays in the city. 🙂
Dang. I knew there was a British connection to be made and I missed it. But did anyone read the ESPN website? Look at this: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=361136&cc=5901 Can you say, “The team formerly known as the Metro Stars”? I knew that you could.