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Digest - 02/2007

February, 2007:

  • Evansville Otters Unveil New Logo (Frontier League (baseball))
    February 26, 2007
    The Evansville Otters announce the release of a new logo. The image replaces all previous logos utilized by the team and will be a constant fixture in the years ahead. This logo will appeal to all age groups, while creating a distinctive figure for the organization. The Otters' newly appointed General Manager, Deana Johnson, had this to say about the change "We wanted a fresh image for the team that would strike a rapport with our fans. It's important to evolve with the times and create a distinct image that is synonymous with the Otters, and we feel the new logo will do just that."
     
  • Vancouver Canucks' New Look Top Secret (National Hockey League)
    February 24, 2007
    When Coleman E. (Coley) Hall died of natural causes in August 2002 at the age of 95, the Vancouver Canucks original Johnny Canuck logo seemingly died with him. Hall was the founder and sole owner of the Pacific Coast Hockey League Canucks in the l940s when they played at the old PNE Forum. Johnny Canuck was a political cartoon character where he was portrayed in comic books as a younger cousin of the United States' Uncle Sam and Britain's John Bull. You can catch a glimpse of Johnny Canuck painted on the side of Roberto Luongo's mask on nights when the local team wears its vintage blue, green and white uniforms. And the question begs: "Is the artwork on Luongo's mask a hint of things to come?" The modern day Canucks' marketing machine has instructed its large army of merchandising retailers to stand by for an announcement on Aug. 1.
     
  • McKendree College to Become McKendree University (NAIA)
    February 21, 2007
    McKendree College is getting a new name. Beginning this fall, the school that was the first college established in Illinois will become McKendree University. The 179-year-old school is in the southern Illinois community of Lebanon. McKendree President James Dennis says the move approved by the school's board of trustees better reflects the broad educational opportunities McKendree offers. McKendree is nation's oldest college with continuous ties to the United Methodist Church. Founded by pioneer Methodists, McKendree first opened as Lebanon Seminary. McKendree expects to unveil its university logo in July.
     
  • Orlando Sharks Unveil Nickname, Logo (Major Indoor Soccer League)
    February 21, 2007
    The name of the eighth Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) team is the Orlando Sharks, in accordance with an announcement made today by team investor/operator Sham Maharaj, president of Buena Vista Corporation, and MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. Community partners and soccer fans alike joined in the celebration, marking the first of many milestones leading up to the Inaugural Season Opening Night Gala, which will kick off the professional club's 15-game home schedule later this fall. "I am pleased to introduce the birth of a legacy in Central Florida sports, Orlando's newest professional sports team, the Orlando Sharks," said Mr. Maharaj. The Orlando Sharks will join the Baltimore Blast, California Cougars, Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, Philadelphia KiXX and a yet-to-be-named New Jersey team in the MISL's 2007-08 season.
     
  • Major League Baseball to Adopt Synthetic Material for Caps (Major League Baseball)
    February 20, 2007
    One question facing baseball this season: Will cooler heads prevail? On opening day, the sport will doff the traditional wool cap in favor of a new polyester blend model designed to wick away sweat before it can stream down a player’s face. The change is part of commissioner Bud Selig’s focus on boosting player performance, a Major League Baseball official said, and follows a general trend toward moisture-managing "performance" materials in sports apparel.

     
  • Fort Wayne Fusion Unveils New Logos (arenafootball2)
    February 20, 2007
    The Fort Wayne Fusion has unveiled their new logos and colors for the upcoming inaugural 2007 af2 season. "We're very happy with our new branding," said General Manager Mike McCaffrey. "We had a lot of input from our fans about what they wanted our logos and uniforms to look like, and I think we hit a home run here." The word mark incorporates the team's color scheme of burnt orange and pearl white with regal purple trim. The team's helmets will be white with purple facemasks, and will feature the "FW" logo. The team's home jerseys will be burnt orange with white numbers and grey trim and inserts. Away jerseys will be white with burnt orange numbers and inserts, and grey trim. The team's pants will be grey with white inserts and burnt orange trim. The color scheme will be complemented by purple belts, socks and accessories.
     
  • New York Dragons to Unveil New Uniforms on 02/24 (Arena Football League)
    February 19, 2007
    Dragons fans are invited to Dave & Buster's in Westbury at the source mall this Saturday afternoon, February 24th from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm to meet the 2007 Dragons and FireDancers. Head Coach Weylan Harding will announce the official finalized Dragons roster that's gearing up for a run at the 2007 ArenaBowl. Along with the introductions, the Dragons will unveil their new home and away jerseys for the 2007 season followed by the FireDancers giving a short performance in their new-look uniforms.

     
  • Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "2007: A Lace Odyssey"
    February 15, 2007
    Something's afoot -- literally. That's been the de facto slogan lately here at Uni Watch HQ, where Uni Watch's obsessive attentions have been focused on a uniform element that's probably flown under your radar until now -- an element that gets no respect, even though it's worn by virtually all players in all sports and offers a near-endless supply of aesthetic possibilities. Ladies and gentlemen, Uni Watch gives you … the shoelace.


     
  • Myrtle Beach Pelicans Hope for Approval of Logo on Water Tower (Carolina League (baseball))
    February 14, 2007
    It only seems that the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are trying to set the minor league record for most scaffolding. Last week, it was the destruction of the majority of the old scoreboard at Coastal Federal Field. This week, it's the water tower. The city-owned water tower behind the first-base grandstand is now ringed by scaffolding right to the top of the tank in preparation for a new paint job. But it's not the paint job the Pelicans really want. The Carolina League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves dearly would love to have the new Pelicans logo painted on the tank. "We were going to try to tie it in with this scheduled paint job," said Pelicans general manager North Johnson. "But we haven't received permission yet from the Community Appearance Board."
     
  • Jacksonville Suns Unveil Throwback Uniforms (Southern League (baseball))
    February 14, 2007
    Two years before the New York Mets were magic, members of the 1969 World Series champions spent a season in Jacksonville. In 1967, the Jacksonville Suns were the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, fielding future baseball greats Nolan Ryan and Jerry Koosman at old Wolfson Park. The team won the Triple-A International League title. Forty years later, the Suns, now the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, are honoring the 1967 team with a new uniform the club unveiled Tuesday. The Suns will wear the blue pinstripe “throwbacks” for Saturday games. The team will also have a new batting practice uniform this season.
     
  • Miami Dolphins Plan Slight Changes to Uniforms (National Football League)
    February 13, 2007
    The Dolphins' uniform is about to undergo a subtle change for 2007, even as the team studies bolder transformation. The Dolphins are expected to alter the font on their numbers by thinning out the blue outline for the 2007 season. A Dolphins representative confirmed Monday that the possibility exists, although other sources are saying the change is practically a certainty. Club representative Harvey Greene also tried to extinguish Internet reports that the Dolphins logo is being redesigned. ''The Dolphins logo is not being changed,'' Greene said. ``I know there are rumors out there, but they are not true.''
     
  • Philadelphia 76ers Unveil New Alternate Uniforms (National Basketball Association)
    February 11, 2007
    On Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, Philadelphia 76ers fans will have an opportunity to witness the "Return of the Red," as the Sixers unveil a new second road uniform with red as the predominant color accented by the team's other official colors of white, blue, black, silver and gold. This will mark the first time the team will wear red uniforms since the 1996-97 season. "We feel we have created a uniform that respects and recognizes the rich tradition of 76ers basketball while also focusing on its future," said President Billy King. "Our second road uniforms feature elements that maintain our team's identity in a very unique way - one that we wanted to unveil first for our fans in Philadelphia."
     
  • Colorado Rapids Unveil New Logo, Uniforms (Major League Soccer)
    February 9, 2007
    Kroenke Sports Enterprises and the Colorado Rapids unveiled today the new uniforms, colors and logo that the team will use going forward. The Burgundy (PMS-202) and Sky Blue (PMS-278) tones that reign in the team's new identity are a continuation of the common DNA that runs through the identities of the other sports entities in the KSE family. "Since KSE arrived on the Colorado sports scene, the company has created a bloodline that has been shared by all its teams," said Colorado Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush. "The Rapids will now have the company's lineage reflected in their identity as we now move forward tied indelibly to KSE's strong winning tradition and commitment to excellence."
     
  • Toronto Blue Jays Unveil New Alternate Cap (MLB/American League)
    February 9, 2007
    The TORONTO BLUE JAYS will have a new look in 2007 with the addition of a "T" logo to complement our already popular marks. This alternate logo has been designed in the same style and energy of our primary marks. "Our current logos, launched for the 2004 season, have been a tremendous success and reflect the organization well. That being said, we wanted something to say Toronto on our hats. We are proud to take the field representing one of the greatest cities in the world, so why not show it off?"
     
  • Simon Fraser U. Unveils New Visual Identity (Canadian Interuniversity Sport)
    February 8, 2007
    Simon Fraser University today unveiled its new logo, wordmark and tagline, designed to convey a single and consistent brand identity. The new brand’s three elements – a red logo block with the university’s initials in white, SFU’s full name wordmark, and the tagline Thinking of the World – were developed in collaboration with brand consultant Karo Design Vancouver.


     
  • Sacramento River Cats Unveil New Logo (Pacific Coast League (baseball))
    February 8, 2007
    The Sacramento River Cats unveiled a new family of logos this evening at a fashion show to benefit River Cats Independence Field at Spataro Restaurant and Bar in downtown Sacramento. The new logos mark the first change or update in the River Cats official team mark since the team's arrival in Sacramento in 2000. "It was important to the River Cats that we create an event for this announcement that was reflective of our personality - fun, irreverent and community oriented," said Alan Ledford, River Cats President, General Manager and COO from the event at Spataro. "We are constantly seeking to keep our brand fresh and the River Cats and Raley Field experience exciting. This is part of that ongoing effort."
     
  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays to Change Nickname, Logo, Colors for 2008 (MLB/American League)
    February 8, 2007
    When the Devil Rays unveil new logos, colors and uniforms for the 2008 season, they likely still will be known by their old name. Or at least their old last name. After considering a complete change of identity to mark the end of their first decade, team officials apparently will instead drop the Devil and keep the Rays. "We haven't made a final decision, but we are leaning toward the direction of a change in uniform, a change of colors, a change in logo and perhaps a slight modification of the name," team president Matt Silverman said. "But it's unlikely we will have a dramatic change in the name." That decision represents something of a compromise, allowing the team to maintain what brand identity it has and connections, such as with the new rays tank while exorcising the devilish connotation that some find objectionable.
     
  • San Diego Chargers to Possibly Get New Logo (National Football League)
    February 7, 2007
    The Chargers are in the early stages of looking into tweaking their logo. And even that might be stating it a little strong. Jim Steeg, the team's chief operating officer, said yesterday what the Chargers are attempting to do is simply get some “consistency” in how the team's brand is presented. He declined to be more specific, ostensibly because the process is in its infancy. There has been much talk the past several days about a new Chargers logo. That talk was spawned by a West Virginia television station reporting that NFL Creative Director Shandon Melvin, who grew up in West Virginia, was working on new logo designs for the league, as well as for the Miami Dolphins and the Chargers. It was Melvin's father who leaked that word. Steeg said any changes would not involve powder blue.
     
  • Super Bowl XLII Logo, Mascot Unveiled (National Football League)
    February 6, 2007
    With Super Bowl XLI now in the record books and Arizona officially on the clock for Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Governor Napolitano and the Host Committee today unveiled the countdown clock for Super Bowl XLII, as well the official logo and theme, and the Host Committee’s new mascot, ‘Spike the Super Ball.’™ “Now that Arizona is on the clock, the Host Committee is thrilled to introduce our mascot, Spike, and our eye black campaign to help mobilize the entire state of Arizona, as we step onto the world’s center stage with Super Bowl XLII,” said Host Committee Chairman Mike Kennedy.
     
  • MSG.com - Mitch Levites / Mitch at Large: "Dress for Success"
    February 6, 2007
    Last month's article was a trip down memory lane and how my love for the professional jersey was born. This week's topic goes further, and it's about my over-all assessment of what I believe are both the good and bad varieties of jerseys available to the general public. And what exactly is my expertise, you may ask? What qualifies me to give such strong opinions about such an important matter? First of all, this subject is too hot and dangerous for the other guys on this website to handle. Nobody else at msg.com is up for such an assignment. Do you think Stan Fischler would have the guts to speak openly about what jersey's really rock?
     
  • U. of Cincinnati Unveils Throwback Men's Basketball Uniforms (NCAA)
    February 2, 2007
    The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team will honor its 1961 National Championship season by donning throwback uniforms for the first time when it hosts BIG EAST Conference foe Notre Dame on Feb. 18 at Fifth Third Arena. The letters, numerals and trim emulate the home uniforms worn by Cincinnati's first national championship team. Trimmed in black and red, the jersey bears Cincinnati arced across the front in black lettering, outlined in red. The numbers appear in black. The shorts are trimmed with red, black and white piping.

     
  • Methodist U. Athletic Dept. Releases New Logo Package (NCAA)
    February 2, 2007
    Work on the Methodist University Athletic Department logo has been ongoing for the last few months. Through the last 44 years of competition, several different monarchs have represented the Athletic Department. However, at a time of significant change for the institution, the department has opted to design a new standard logo that will be associated with the Monarchs. “Methodist University Athletics has a great tradition and history of excellence,” said Bob McEvoy, Director of Athletics. “With our 50 Year Anniversary as an institution and our recent name change to “university” status, it is most appropriate and necessary to unify and standardize our athletic brand/logo package for our coaches and student-athletes.”
     
  • Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "Look to the Unis for XLI Winner"
    February 2, 2007
    Like any good football fan, Uni Watch reader Ronnie Poore has been breaking down the numbers in anticipation of Sunday's big game. But while everyone else focuses on worthless statistics like net points scored and average passing yards per attempt, Poore has come up with a much more relevant figure: Only four previous Super Bowl teams have worn white helmets, white jerseys and white pants -- the Jets in Super Bowl III, the Colts in Super Bowl V and the Dolphins in Super Bowls VII and XIX -- and three of those four teams won. That's a good omen for Indianapolis, which will be wearing white-on-white-on-white this Sunday.
     
  • ChicagoTribune.com - "Style Points"
    February 1, 2007
    When the Bears and Colts take the field Sunday, it will be a matchup of two storied franchises and two classic uniforms. "This is going to be one of the best-looking Super Bowls in years," says Paul Lukas, who writes a column about sports uniforms for ESPN.com. "When you think of football and football teams, you think of looks like these."