April 18, 2002

NORFOLK - He's proud, he's powerful and he's ready for action.

Old Dominion University unveiled a new athletic logo today that features the Monarch lion, as well as traditional ties to the athletic program's rich heritage.

The logo was unveiled today on the floor of the new Constant Convocation Center by John R. Broderick, vice president of institutional advancement, and Athletic Director Jim Jarrett. It was later unveiled to the student body as part of the University's "spirit day" celebration. Rickabaugh Graphics of Gahanna, OH, a firm that specializes in athletic logo design, designed the logo.

"The excitement surrounding the opening of the Constant Convocation Center brought attention to the need to update the athletic department's marks and identity," says athletic director Jim Jarrett.

"In working with the Rickabaugh firm, we stressed the need to base the design on the University's strong athletic history, use of our Monarch lion to signify strength and power as well as action, and incorporation of our current colors (slate blue and silver). We are delighted with the results and believe all of these themes have been incorporated into our new family of marks", adds Jarrett.

Broderick said the logo unveiling today is a result of over six months of research and design, as well as presentations to focus groups that included University alumni, students and student-athletes, coaches, athletic board members, community members, local design professionals and University faculty and staff.

The primary mark displays the Monarch lion wearing the crown utilized in the current University's identifier logo, with his right paw arched in an action position. The secondary marks features the same serif typeface used in the primary mark, as well as the crown and the lion head in several applications. The 16 athletic teams at the University can customize the logo to their sport programs by changing the banner type under the logos.

The family of marks will be used in various applications, to include athletic uniforms, merchandise and apparel, publications, the official athletic website, odusports.com and on the center of the Constant Convocation Center basketball court jump circle. In addition, the new design will be promoted heavily with Hampton Roads vendors for summer and back-to-school sales.

"This is an exciting and rewarding day for Old Dominion University," says Bill Battle, CEO of the Collegiate Licensing Company. "It is the culmination of a great deal of time and effort on the part of this prestigious and progressive University. A new brand identity system presents a clean, fresh look for a University and can potentially open doors to new opportunities.

"From a marketing standpoint, it breathes new life into the University's athletic image. A major focal point of the University's identity, the Monarch, represents pride. The University's students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans will feel proud when they wear the ODU blue and silver or see the logo on the uniforms of their athletes and on the television broadcast during games. We are hopeful that with our combined efforts it will result in additional opportunities among local, state, and national retail outlets," says Battle. "

For more information, please contact the Athletic Public Relations Office at 683-3372.