CLINTON, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The Clinton Central School District announced that — pending board approval — their mascot will change from the Warriors to the Comets.

The name change was announced during the school’s homecoming festivities on Friday, September 22.

The change comes after a three-month process led by the district’s Renaming Steering Committee. The selection process included a public thought exchange for potential new names, a public feedback survey and an advisory poll. The final poll was conducted with students, staff and registered voters on Tuesday, September 19.

The finalists also included Coyotes and Wildcats. The name, which is also used by Clinton’s youth hockey teams, is an homage to the Eastern Hockey League team of the same name, who played at the nearby Clinton Arena from 1949 to 1973, before moving to the Utica Memorial Auditorium and becoming the Mohawk Valley Comets.

“I am so excited about this announcement and am thrilled that CCS will be able to honor our past while embracing the future as the Comets,” Clinton Superintendent of Schools Christopher Clancy said in a statement. “Our new name captures the spirit of the school and community — strong, bright and forever moving forward. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to our students, community, alumni, families, faculty and staff who provided thoughtful and progressive feedback through this process. I would also like to thank our Renaming Steering Committee who listened, questioned and helped us successfully arrive at the selection of our new name.”

The Renaming Steering Committee will present the name change to the Clinton Board of Education on Tuesday, September 26, where it is expected to get final approval. After a new name is formally adopted, the district will work together with the community to develop a branding plan for a new name, logo and mascot throughout the rest of the school year.