May 4, 2007

UCF Logo Gallery  | UCF Logo Timeline

Orlando, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - As part of the summer-long "Knights Are Coming Home" promotional campaign, the UCF Athletics Association has launched its new brand-identity efforts, which include new logos and fonts. The campaign will conclude at the start of the fall with the opening of Bright House Networks Stadium on campus, and the UCF Convocation Center.

The new logos and font will provide a consistent and distinct look for UCF's varsity athletics program. Additionally, In April, the school announced that UCF's teams will again be referred to as the "Knights", utilizing the original nickname chosen by the student body and faculty in 1970.

"It is a new beginning at UCF," said UCF Director of Athletics and Executive Vice President Keith Tribble. "Bright House Networks Stadium and the Convocation Center allow us to perform on a grand stage. The increased exposure that we will receive made it all the more critical to adhere to our marketing research which indicated we are entering the most ideal period to update our athletics trademarks.

"Research feedback also uncovered inconsistencies in how the UCF athletics logos were utilized in merchandising, in the media and within our own team apparel. The new logos and font allow us to create a common appearance that will be more easily identifiable."

UCF will immediately begin the transition to the new marks, with the school's official website, www.UCFathletics.com.

Merchandise and apparel with the new marks will be unveiled on Thursday, June 14 at an exclusive product launch event at the UCF Bookstore on campus. The items will go on sale to the public the next day, Friday, June 15.

The new UCF logos and font are a result of a five-month collaborative effort between various offices within the University, Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and Rickabaugh Graphics, Inc.

Several University constituents played a significant role in the process, including the UCF Alumni Association, the Student Government Association, the UCF Bookstore, University Licensing, and University Marketing along with related external departments in the athletics association.

UCF Athletics Q&A;

Why did UCF change the logo?

Marketing research detailed that UCF is now entering into the most advantageous period to introduce an updated branding effort. With the opening of Bright House Networks Stadium and the UCF Convocation Center, UCF wants to re-embrace its much-expanded audience. From a retail and visibility standpoint, it was essential that UCF made changes to its athletics trademarks as it moved into this next era of athletics. The feedback uncovered numerous inconsistencies in how the former logos were being used in merchandising, the media and even within UCF's own individual uniform designs. The new logo and font allows UCF to create a commonality and consistency within its varsity athletics program and unite one distinct look that will positively reflect the UCF Knights brand nationally.

Who else was involved in the changing of the logos?

The updated set of logos and logo type was a collaborative effort by a committee comprised of a campus cross-selection including the UCF Alumni Association, Student Government Association, UCF Campus Bookstore, Collegiate Licensing Company, University Licensing, University Marketing and related departments in the UCFAA. Each group represented was identified because each has a major stake in the branding and success of the athletics logo, from the students to alumni, from merchandising to licensing and from marketing to equipment operations. The committee was essential due to their expertise in creating a consistent branding system that will standardize how the UCF Knights logo is viewed in Orlando, throughout the State of Florida and nationally.

Was there a corporate partner in the change?

UCF's merchandise licensing program is supported through the Collegiate Licensing Company. CLC assisted UCF in finding a design partner for this project. Eric Rickabaugh, a Columbus, Ohio-based designer and owner of Rickabaugh Graphics, led the effort to create the new updated image for UCF Athletics. For over 20 years, Rickabaugh Graphics has been creating award-winning logo design for numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Hasbro Toys, Coca-Cola, Toyota, MGM and Clorox. In this time they have become the leading collegiate branding firm and their clients have included the Big East Conference, the Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin, Seton Hall University, Vanderbilt University, North Carolina State, Baylor, Texas A&M; University and others.

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For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. To order your season tickets today call (407) UCF-1000. For information on joining the Golden Knights Club call (407) UCF-2086.

Below is a sampling of the new UCF Athletics logos.

Primary Character Logo

Primary Wordmark

New Knight Head logo

Secondary Wordmark

Wordmark and Character combo

UCF Athletics Logo