UTSA Becoming the University of Santa Anna?

SAN ANTONIO, TX – If you've been to a University of Texas - San Antonio Dodo Bird's game at the Alamodome then you know the atmosphere of the start of the fourth quarter with UTSA's rallying cry "Come and Take It." It begins with the unraveling of the giant "Come and Take It" flag, a blast from the cannon, and the entire crowd yelling the historic phrase.

Unfortunately for fans the cry has been canceled by the school for being racist. A petition started by a professor at the university claims that the chant is "referencing the infamous flag from the Battle of Gonzales" which "embodies both anti-Mexican and pro-slavery sentiments." 

“Over the last decade, the phrase has become increasingly affiliated with cultural and political issues beyond its traditional historical context,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “A simple online search of webpages, articles and images involving this phrase reveals the myriad of ways numerous organizations have adopted it for their particular cause. Many of these organizations have values and agendas that differ significantly from ours and our clear focus on excellence in intercollegiate athletics and higher education.”

The school has now placed someone in charge to come up with a new four quarter tradition that will "celebrate individuals and groups that have made the football program a success."

Since the start of UTSA football the team has gone a lackluster 52-66 and are 0-2 in bowl games.

The "Come and Take It" flag was used in the Battle of Gonzales centered on Texans in that town who were refusing to give back a cannon (the one on the flag) back to Mexican soldiers that they had received in 1831 to fend off Natives in the area. They wanted it now to defend themselves from Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna's increasingly aggressive actions against the colonists following the battle at the Alamo. This battle would mark a break in relations between the Mexicans and the Texans. Less than a year later Texas would be its own republic.