July 22, 2002
In an effort to create a look unique to Bison Athletics and to build consistency with the university's current word mark, the Bucknell Department of Athletics & Recreation unveiled a new visual identity package at a press conference held in the Weis Center for Performing Arts on Monday, July 22.
The new identity package replaces the current Bucknell Bison logo that has been in use by the athletic department since the early 1990s.
"We are excited about the new athletics logo and related marks," stated Bucknell Director of Athletics John Hardt. "Our goal with this project was to create a look that would be unique to Bucknell Athletics, but at the same time would fit in appropriately with the university's current word mark. We are very pleased with the results, and I am confident that our student-athletes, our graduates and our fans will take great pride in the new set of athletics marks."
The new identity program is designed to help build consistency and continuity for usage within the department's 26-sport program. "We have 26 varsity programs and numerous club and recreation programs here at Bucknell," said Hardt. "It had come to a point where several of our programs where developing their own spin-off versions of our athletic logo, and our look had little consistency. Our new identity program provides that consistent look we've been searching for."
The new set of Bison marks were created by the Joe Bosack Graphic Design Co. of Pipersville, Pa. Bosack has designed identity programs for numerous colleges and universities, as well as countless professional sports programs. Clients include Cornell University, Drew University, Southern University and the University of Akron on the collegiate front and NHL Enterprises, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Colorado Avalanche, the East Coast Hockey League and the Major Indoor Soccer League in the professional ranks.
"Our goals for this project were two-fold from the very start; to develop an identity that was unmistakably Bucknell, and to reinvent the athletics image to convey Bucknell as a serious contender," stated Bosack. "I think we accomplished both goals by developing a family of marks that are both tough and determined, while unifying all Bucknell's athletic programs under a single look."
The first task the designers were asked to tackle was a new primary mark. After extensive research at an actual bison farm, and of logos in use by other institutions with buffalo mascots, a stampeding Bison with the words "Bucknell Bison" prominently displayed became the mark of choice.
"It was clear to our administration from the onset that our primary mark had to feature the words 'Bucknell' and 'Bison' prominently," said Hardt. "When the general collegiate sports fan sees this new mark there will be no doubt left in his or her mind which institution is being represented."
To complement Bucknell's new primary mark, a secondary mark featuring a bison head and the Bucknell "B" was developed. The identity package also includes two variations of the "Bucknell Bison" word mark, a "Go Bison" word mark, and word marks for each of the 26 varsity sports.
As part of the identity change, the Bucknell Department of Athletics & Recreation has developed several collateral pieces to promote the new marks, including logo slicks, a CD-ROM and a Graphics Standards Manual.
Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, 12 for men and 14 for women, at the Division I level (1-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in nine of the 12 years it has been contested. Bucknell annually ranks among the top institutions in student-athlete graduation rate in Division I and ranks third in Division I in producing Verizon Academic All-Americans.