The University of Central Arkansas, just a few short months away from full NCAA Division I classification, unveiled a new athletics logo on Feb. 5 at a news conference in the board room of Wingo Hall.
The primary athletics trademark and the various secondary marks were produced by The Joe Bosack Graphic Design Company and approved by a steering committee made up of a wide range of campus personnel, as well as members of the Conway business community, the Purple Circle and the UCA Sports Hall of Fame. The UCA Board of Trustees approved the trademarks at its Feb. 5 meeting.
The new logos will be put into use immediately as the primary marks for UCA Athletics. Merchandise featuring the new logos will be available exclusively at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in the UCA Student Center and Ace Hardware in Conway.
“The need to refresh our logo trademarks was clearly evident,’ said Dr. Brad Teague, UCA director of athletics. “We had a good deal of constituent feedback requesting a new look. We decided to develop the new logo over time, using a tremendous amount of input, with the unveiling to coincide with our reclassification to Division I.
“We will now begin the process of changing our logo impressions over campus, electronically, on paper, and any other medium necessary through the summer. The goal is to be fully converted by the new academic year 2010-2011,” Teague said.
The initial conversation about producing a new UCA athletics logo began in 2008, due to licensing concerns, brand confusion with various logos represented by different sports and the need for a new, fresher trademark and new identity. The Joe Brosack company developed 10 logo options for review by the committee that was convened in the fall of 2008. That group narrowed the options to two in the spring of 2009. In the fall of 2009, a feedback session was held for a larger group of constituents affiliated in some way with UCA Athletics regarding the two options.
The result was the new trademark and its secondary and sport-specific marks, in both full-color and black and white.
“We do understand change can be difficult, but certainly feel this finished product will be pleasing to all over time,’ said Teague. “The new brand identity will improve our image and result in increase merchandise sales. We have seen several studies of institutions our size which have benefited financially from a logo re-branding campaign. With input from our Logo Steering Committee, the Bosack group has developed some very usable and effective marks for UCA Athletics.”
The design fee for the production of the new logos was paid from private funds. The re-branding on campus involving the updating of courts, signage and uniforms will also be covered by private funds and corporate sponsorships.
“This is an exciting time for UCA Athletics,” said Teague. “Not only are we close to being fully classified in Division I, but we have a new branding of our product, a new identity as we begin a new era.”
UCA, a member of the Southland Conference, is in the final months of its five-year transition to NCAA Division I. If final approval is gained from the NCAA next month, UCA will be fully eligible on a conference and national level beginning in the fall of 2010.
The new logo can be viewed at UCA Athletics website at www.ucasports.com. – Steve East
