The board of trustees' Wednesday meeting ended with a resolve to consider bringing back the Warrior sports nickname, as long as it doesn't include Native American imagery in the logo or mascot.

At the first of the board's four annual meetings, the trustees discussed reversing the university's 10-year-old decision to change the name from the Golden Eagles to the Warriors.

Discussion will continue at the board's December meeting, said Brigid O'Brien, director of university communication.

O'Brien said University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild will consider the opinions and wishes of Marquette students, faculty and alumni when deciding.

Wild will seek input from the Native American community, and O'Brien said the board passed a resolution that there will be no references to Native American culture.

"We feel strongly that the use of Native American imagery in our athletics can offend and stereotype members of our human family," Wild said in a statement. "That was part of our past, but it cannot be part of our future. This resolution makes it clear that we will not make any decisions that are in opposition to our Catholic, Jesuit values."

Debate arose after trustee Wayne Sanders said he and another trustee would each donate $1 million to resurrect the Warrior moniker.

"This is an issue that has been important to many in the Marquette community for the past 10 years," Sanders said in a statement. "My intention was only to put the idea of a name change on the table for discussion."

In May, Wild declined the monetary offer for the name change.

Students, faculty and alumni have varied opinions about the controversial topic.

"I think it's good that they're changing the name. It's part of Marquette tradition," said Jessica Craig, a junior in the College of Health Sciences.

Other students feel the name should never have changed.

"There was no real reason to change it in the first place," said Casey Benander, a student in the College of Professional Studies. "Nothing indicates that a warrior has to be of Native American descent," Benander said.

Carl Schrank, a student advisor for the College of Communication, was a student at Marquette when the athletic teams became the Warriors and was a faculty member when it changed to Golden Eagles.

"I think it was a very bold move" of Sanders to suggest the name change, Schrank said.

Donna Farrell, president of the Alumni Association, said alums tell her they would feel better and more proud of their alma mater if its athletes were Warriors.

The university will have the support of the athletics department no matter what, according to Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Mike Broeker.

Director of Marquette University Bands Nicholas Contorno said the name is irrelevant.

"We are the same great university whether we're the Eagles, the Warriors, or the Hilltoppers," Contorno said. "Marquette is bigger than the Warriors, bigger than the Golden Eagles. I wear a sweatshirt that says Marquette."

Brian O'Connor of the Tribune staff contributed to this report.