Name Redux

As an update to my post dated 1/30/06, Trouble Lies More Than Name Deep, the owners of Houston's new MLS franchise have decided to change the team name. Addressing concerns from primarily the Mexican-American community, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) have let it be known they will announce a new team identity, including name and logo, by Tuesday, February, 21, 2006. Alternates include Lonestar, Generals, Toros, Apollos and Mustangs.

Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and others have been calling for a name change since the Houston 1836 moniker was announced. While the official reasoning for the name was the founding of Houston, to most Texans, Mexican-American and otherwise, it is known as the year of the Alamo and defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto. The 1836 jersey included a silhouette of Sam Houston on horseback, further confusing the issue.

Cheers to AEG for acknowledging the importance of Hispanic community acceptance of the new team to its long term success. Now let's hope these "roses by any other name" will play sweet come game time, and give all Houston something else to cheer about.