Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Plans to Unveil Updated Logos
August 14, 2000 | General
Aug. 14, 2000
STILLWATER, Okla. -- OSU Athletics today announced that it will unveil updated logo marks Nov. 22.
"As I see it, generations come and go, and as younger people become involved with OSU, they look at our marks differently," said Terry Don Phillips, OSU director of athletics. "It's important that we are consistent in maintaining our traditions while also attracting new generations of fans to Oklahoma State Athletics.
"OSU has a long history of continuing its traditions. While other universities have chosen to demolish field houses and stadiums where long-standing athletics traditions have been established, OSU has updated, expanded and maintained Cowgirl Softball Field and Gallagher-Iba Arena while adding facilities for Cowgirl Soccer and Equestrian. We're doing the same thing with the OSU logos."
Phillips said the new look just updates and enhances OSU's marks. The new logos maintain the equity established by the familiar "brand" and the "O-State" logo while giving the two marks a consistent, progressive look.
"We're all greatly encouraged by the support from alumni and friends for the quality changes we are making in our athletics facilities. These dramatically updated structures will serve as the cornerstone for our athletic program well into this new century," Phillips said. "The updating of our marks has been undertaken in much the same spirit. It's not a matter of making huge changes. We're just updating the look to keep with the state-of-the-art program we are building here at Oklahoma State. We want people to know that OSU has a progressive, aggressive athletics department that is on the move."
OSU initiated discussions related to the new marks in March 1998. SME Inc. developed the logos with direction from a committee that included Judy Barnard, OSU licensing coordinator, Ashley Birdwell, an OSU student appointed to the committee by the Student Government Association, Chris Norris, Stillwater retailer and OSU alum, Kerry O'Keefe, OSU athletics promotions director, Phillips, Tracy Senat, OSU Alumni Association director of communications, and Natalea Watkins, assistant vice president for communications services.
In discussions between December 1998 and November 1999, the committee established three important points to consider in the development of the new marks. First, it hoped to bring OSU Athletics' marks under one familiar umbrella and to eliminate the fragmentation caused by having several unrelated marks associated with its programs. Second, it wished to enhance the prestige and recognition of the University through uniquely identifiable logos that set Oklahoma State University apart from other programs around the country. Third, the committee sought to make the new marks appealing to future, current and past generations of OSU students and fans.
After the committee meetings, the athletics department commissioned a series of focus groups of student-athletes, current students, faculty and staff, and the students at a local elementary school. At the same time, OSU Athletics commissioned mall testing of the prospective marks in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
The focus-group and mall testing resulted in small changes to the marks, after which they were sent to the University administration, and then to the Board of Regents, for approval.
The marks will be unveiled publicly Wednesday, Nov. 22, in a ceremony on the University campus. The date was chosen to coincide with the beginning of a new era as OSU Athletics prepares to move into its new Athletic Center.
Contrary to reports, the Oklahoma State athletics department has no intention of changing its mascot from the well-known and beloved Pistol Pete.
"I believe Pistol Pete is one of the nation's best mascots," said Phillips. "Any report to the contrary is ludicrous. Pistol Pete has a great history of support and pride for this university, and we are fortunate to have a mascot that is so well known around the country."
The new marks will first be used for this season's winter sports, men's and women's basketball, wrestling and indoor track. Baseball, softball, track and field, equestrian, men's and women's golf, and tennis will follow in the spring. The rollout will be complete in the fall 2001 when cross-country, women's soccer and football teams adopt the new look.
