PITTSBURGH -- In a sign of the times, Brashear High School of Pittsburgh has changed its nickname from Bullets to Bulls.

The change officially will begin with the next school year.


'Many of the community people and some parents suggested the name change,' Brashear Principal Robert Nicklos said.

'With the concern about drive-by shootings and just the general tone of the times, they thought 'Bullets' was giving out the wrong message, even though our Bullet (emblem) had a happy face on it,' he said.

Brashear has been nicknamed the Bullets since the school opened in 1976. Students picked the original nickname, and they also selected the new nickname.

Nicklos said school officials took six or seven nominations from the students and they voted on the nickname. Bulls was the most popular nickname from such nominees as Braves, Pirates and Bees.

The Brashear mascot dressed in a Bullet costume.

'We have to by a new uniform,' Nicklos said.

The school also may have to buy new jerseys for some athletic teams. The football jerseys had the nickname Bullets on the back.

'I don't really think the name promotes violence, but if it's going to help the image of the school, then I'm certainly not going to stand in the way,' said football coach Ron Wabby.