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Logo Changes are Underway
By Audrey Christopher
The star and banner logo customary to George Mason
University Athletics is getting a makeover. Beginning in
September, students will be seeing a different graphic.
Along with the change in the athletic logo, the university
logo, which is the words “George Mason University” with a line
over the top, will be changing as well. Students can expect to
see this change sooner than the athletic symbol, although full
implementation will also be in September.
Assistant Athletic Director Andy Ruge first came up with
the idea last semester. He was concerned that he hardly saw
students wearing Mason apparel; instead, he found that many
students wear clothes from other universities. Athletic
Director Tom O’Connor agreed, saying that they wanted
something with more visibility and something that was not so
static.
“[It] would do a lot for the university if we had more
pride in ourselves,” Ruge said.
O’Connor said that the only thing under discussion right
now was the logo. The replacement of Gunston is on the agenda
for the future, however, according to Ruge. The change of the
logo will not affect Mason’s nickname, the Patriots, or the
green and gold colors. Some highlight colors may be added,
however, to create a better logo.
The change will possibly be applied to athletic uniforms,
t-shirts, the Patriot Center floor and memorabilia. “Our logo
helps create awareness of what Mason is about,” O’Connor said.
Athletics is still determining what the logo will be. The
department is planning to conduct four focus groups containing
six people each to determine the best logo. These groups will
consist of students, athletes, alumni, season ticket holders,
fans and others, all chosen randomly. Ruge said that the
groups would be formed in early March.
Helen Ackerman, vice president of University Relations,
said that focus groups for the university logo have already
taken place.
Even with focus groups to help decide the final logo, Ruge
said, there will be opposition.
“Logos are tough, because they are an opinion,” he said.
“We hope the focus groups can give a broad consensus. We’re
going to try to make everyone happy.” A company called Grafik
is designing the logo as well as handling the transition. A
local firm, it was chosen because of its knowledge of Mason
and prior work in logo design.
The current star and banner logo is approximately seven
years old. The new logo will be Mason’s third logo since the
school gained its independence from the University of
Virginia. Prior to the star and banner, Mason had a “patriot
head” as the logo. Athletics is excited about the arrival of a
new logo.
O’Connor said, “Whatever comes out will be good and we
[hope students] will rally around it.”
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