Massapequa students defiantly paint huge, lasting Chiefs message in defiance of Gov. Hochul: ‘Always a Chief’
Students at Massapequa High School have painted a large mural declaring their pride in the Chiefs nickname, defying Governor Kathy Hochul's administration. The mural serves as a response to a state mandate that threatens to revoke the nickname due to a ban on Native American logos. Despite ongoing legal battles, the students and community remain steadfast in their support for the Chiefs identity.
- ▪Massapequa High School students painted a mural stating 'Once a Chief, Always a Chief' in response to state pressure to change their team name.
- ▪The New York Board of Regents implemented a ban on Native American logos, prompting the state to threaten funding cuts if the nickname is not changed.
- ▪The mural is located on private property, making it immune to state intervention, and reflects the community's deep-rooted pride in their identity.
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Long Island exclusive details Massapequa students defiantly paint huge, lasting Chiefs message in defiance of Gov. Hochul: ‘Always a Chief’ By Alex Mitchell Published May 20, 2026, 7:30 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google The Chiefs are in charge. Students at Massapequa High School sent a message loud and clear to Gov. Kathy Hochul — whose administration is trying to force them to ditch their long-standing team name: “Once a Chief, Always a Chief.” The defiant motto was freshly painted onto a massive mural outside the Long Island campus and aimed at state education officials threatening to revoke the Chiefs nickname thanks to a 2023 ban on Native American logos by the Board of Regents.
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