Jul 03, 2008
Everyone knows that friend in high school who tries way too hard to be tough.
This friend is in fact very delicate, but walks, talks and presents himself as the meanest guy in school.
Just like that misguided friend, the Florida International University Athletics' logo was changed from a golden panther, to one with intense eyes, fangs showing and claws out.
In other words, the Athletics Department is trying way too hard to intimidate opponents with its logo instead of with its recruits.
There is no correlation between intimidating logos and successful athletic programs. Yet FIU President A. Modesto A. Maidique stresses that the logo's block letters represents strength and the new panther reflects the University's aggressiveness.
As logical as that sounds, several universities have embarrassing logos, but still managed to win national championships and garner top recruits season after season.
Here are three examples of those types of schools:
Kansas: Who knew 'Woody the Wood Pecker' and 'Big Bird' had a love child? One look at the University of Kansas Jayhawk and you've discovered crazy bird meets Sesame Street.
The logo went through several transformations from 1912-1946 until finally deciding on the current logo in 1947.
During the years Kansas was changing the logo to some hostile, angry-looking Jayhawk, the athletics program won zero national championships in any sport.
After adopting the smiling, gentle Jayhawk, the University has won 10 national championships in four sports.
The Jayhawks won their most recent title in 2008, when the men's basketball team brought home the division I national championship.
Now, what makes more sense?
The men's basketball team won the championship because the logo scared away Memphis players, and the jovial Jayhawk gave the Kansas fans pride, which translated into victory.
Or, the men's basketball team won because of a roster filled with top-tier recruits, including five players subsequently drafted to the NBA and a reputation for being an elite basketball program.
I'd take my chances with the NBA-bound players versus the smiling bird any day of the week.
Notre Dame: If you've ever had that grandpa, who became overtly pugnacious and combative when drunk, then the Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo brings back some memories.
If the Leprechaun's purpose is to terrify all foes with his fists up, knees bent and green hat tilted, then I rather have grandpa show him how they used to fight back in the day.
The Leprechaun has been putting up his dukes for the University since 1965.
The storied athletics program saw its variety of mascots and logos before solidifying the Leprechaun as the official logo.
Before 1965, the University still won seven of its 11 football national championships. But how could it be? How is it that Notre Dame was a football powerhouse for decades without its symbol of strength and prowess?
Easy, the logo isn't putting on a uniform and playing for the team.
What attracts up and coming football prospects to Notre Dame is not the team's mascot or logo, it's the team's history and reputation for winning.
Notre Dame Football has won the most national championships in NCAA history, over 100 years of tradition and no season with more than 9 losses.
Those types of facts draw good players to Notre Dame, not the silly logo.
Last season's team posted a 3-9 record, the worst in the program's history. Where was the Leprechaun to save them in 2008?
Perhaps Head Coach Charlie Weiss' fortunes will change once he proposes the University add vampire teeth to the logo and roll up the Leprechaun's sleeves a ½ inch down to show the athletics program means business.
Maryland: Turtles look so lethargic and friendly, nothing can make them menacing. Adding muscles just makes them look even goofier.
The University of Maryland logo is the school's mascot, Testudo, a huge diamondback terrapin with Arnold Schwarznegger-sized muscles and a cross between a smile and scowl.
His huge pectorals are complemented by his serious pose, hands on his waist.
Every toddler recognizes that pose, Testudo looks like a mom scolding her young child. Not exactly a distraction or problem for visiting teams.
The program has managed to win 16 total national championships using the same logo. Most recently the men's and women's basketball teams hoisted the championship trophy in 2002 and 2006 respectively.
Not changing the logo is a way to build tradition. When a university is constantly changing its identity, recruits and fans alike have trouble associating one logo to the school.
Maryland decided to keep the "mean" and silly logo for many years, but it's what represents the University's athletic program now and forever.
Whether it's a sissy bird, crazy old leprechaun or steroid-filled turtle, logos represent winning programs, but should not be altered in an attempt to create them.
Comments (1)
-
jav.vel
would it hurt to embed an image of the logo?
You must be logged in to post a comment!