The Rabble Rousers are made up of male and female cadets whose sole job on game day is to make sure the cadets are fully invested in the game and cheering on the Black Knights on the field. Here, they cheer during the Army football team's game against Liberty University at Michie Stadium on Sept. 8, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Brandon O'Connor)

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The United States Military Academy at West Point announced today that all academy sports teams, previously known as the “Black Knights,” are re-named the “Black Mold” in solidarity with Army families suffering from the deadly spores in military quarters.

The re-naming is a reaction to recent Congressional inquiries into the deteriorating state of living quarters throughout the Department of Defense. Multiple service members and their families report being plagued by persistent black mold as well as mice, rats, and other disease-inducing conditions. The plight of quarters residents invoked outrage in Congress and support from West Point.

“We sympathize with Army personnel and families suffering from black mold, said USMA historian Allison Wright, “and we understand the value of tradition. Believe it or not, we’ve never been certain how that ‘Black Knight’ nickname started, but black mold is actually a deep-rooted Army tradition.”

“Throughout our history, American soldiers have encountered black mold in other places that are equally as comfortable as current Army quarters, like Valley Forge, Andersonville Prison, and World War I trenches just to name a few,” Wright continued. “And since black mold is a tenacious adversary, it reflects the resiliency of Army personnel. As a deadly substance it sends a badass message to young cadets.”

The re-naming is part of a larger effort. The USMA will begin teaching cadets the rich history of black mold. West Point will also update its etiquette guide so new lieutenants and their spouses know how to tactfully and politely inform Congress about living in slum-like living conditions.

Recognizing the need for updated symbology for the new name, USMA leaders are consulting with the Army Heraldry Institute, the Army Center of Military History, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We want new imagery that is inspiring, historically accurate, and serves as a bio-hazard warning,” said Wright. USMA is reportedly receiving several symbology suggestions from the Army Chemical Corps.

“This finally gives all the chemical officers out there real jobs beyond battalion unit status reporting and voting officers,” she said.

Possibly echoing the Army move, the DOD is encouraging families to adopt household rodents as pets while Congress develops solutions to the situation.

Reports that “Golden Spores” is replacing “Golden Knights” as the name for the Army parachute demonstration team could not be confirmed.