The Massapequa Chiefs have scored a major win in their fight with New York state.
Just days before a court hearing involving the Long Island district, New York is preparing to eliminate part of its statewide prohibition on Native American imagery in school sports branding.
According to court filings reviewed by The Post, the Board of Regents plans to repeal a provision of its 2023 directive barring “school officers and employees” from using or promoting Indigenous names, logos or mascots on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
Massapequa officials called the decision a “huge victory” as the district continues its legal battle, supported by the Trump administration, to retain the Chiefs name and logo.
“After years of fighting to keep the Chiefs, we’re proud of this victory,” Massapequa Board of Education President Kerry Wachter told The Post.
“We encourage the Board of Regents to take the next step and repeal the regulation in its entirety. Once a Chief, always a Chief.”
The New York State Department of Education did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Massapequa was among several school districts to challenge the policy in court, arguing that New York violated civil rights by targeting Native American imagery while imposing no comparable restrictions on imagery associated with other ethnic groups.
Districts that refuse to comply have faced the possibility of losing state funding. Massapequa has estimated that replacing its longtime name and logo would cost nearly $1 million.
Other Long Island districts, including nearby Amityville, were unable to afford a legal fight as the dispute continued for years.
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Massapequa students have even turned the drawn-out court battle into a running joke. The senior class of 2027 created shirts bearing the message “2till 7he Chiefs!” as the standoff continues.
The next major round of arguments is scheduled for Nov. 4. Massapequa attorney Oliver Roberts, however, views the state’s partial retreat as an indication that the district may ultimately prevail.
“The State has realized that its attempts to erase Massapequa’s history and tradition are patently unconstitutional,” said Roberts, who grew up in the community.
President Trump vowed in 2025 to “fight” for Chiefs supporters. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!” and later appeared in the Oval Office wearing a Massapequa sweatshirt.
Trump tasked Education Secretary Linda McMahon with examining the policy. After visiting Massapequa High School in May of that year, McMahon referred civil rights-related findings to the Justice Department.
The Native American Guardians Association, an anti-woke group, has also filed suit against New York and indicated that it is prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court.
The organization’s attorney, Chap Petersen, described the policy in January as “the dumbest law of all time.”
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor and Nassau County executive, has likewise promised to protect the Chiefs name and logo if he wins office.
At a recent Massapequa football game, Blakeman took aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul while holding Chiefs merchandise marked with the message: “You tried to take that away from Massapequa – no way.”
The court filings state that the Board of Regents is expected to unveil the partial repeal at its November meeting, with a final vote planned for February.
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