UConn Branding

[Husky25]

I actually agree with a lot of this. The new logo part is a crock, but the rest of it is pretty much on the button. the new logo was chosen becasue it was cheap, easy to reproduce, and wasn't intended to have any shelf life. That they ignored 75 years of tradition of having an all white husky is particularly aggravating (and not all huskies are masked. There are a variety of patterns within the Siberian Husky breed including All White. For those who claim th ecurrent one "is not a husky" as does Susan Herbst, I point out that while there are all white ones, no blue one has ever been identified either in captivity or in the wild. So if the goal was, as she and Warde argued, to be more realisitic, they failed entirely. much like their argument that current student athletes shouldn't be penalized for the sins of the past, this was a nonsensical argument, too). The red had nothing to do with National Flag Blue. Or if it did how do you explain the grey alternate? It just gave Nike another color to work with when they come up with the requisite "alternate" uniform someday down the line.

The basic point was that the new branding was utterly unnecessary, served no apparent purpose other than to earn some extra cash for Nike and was done with zero input from the greater University Community. UConn is the University of Connecticut. The names are used interchangeably. The fight song uses both.It refers to the UCONN Husky as well as the Connecticut Huskies, and even C-O-N-N-U. The Alma Mater is titled Old Connecticut and uses just Connecticut. For what its worth, those two are "official" representations of the University, too.

Oh, and you're right about the helmets. Iowa Barnstormers all the way. Though the late lamented (by maybe 2 or 3 folks) Wichita Stealth of the Arena 2 league was the one I thought of.

You might be right about the gray, but there is also red in a number of the current uniforms. The blue (and white) is the same shade as our national flag. The national flag also has red. It is not a far leap from there to assume the red was hijacked to match the Stars & Stripes.

Regarding your comment of there not existing a blue husky in the wild or in captivity, that's a non-starter. There was blue in the old logo too, but only to provide limited detail to the happy cartoon samoyed face. I think the additional blue is because the official school colors are equally N.F. Blue and White. Additionally, I suspect the reason the logo prior were only black and white is because of the creation/reproduction techniques of designer colors are now less cost-prohibitive.

The rebrand has more behind it than just unifying the school's athletic programs and uniforms. It also has to do with money (Obviously. Everything does nowadays.). THey are expecting a revenue bump because most of us (I probably won't for a while though. My Block C football T-shirt will suit me just fine. I rarely purchased anything with the old logo to begin with), as alumni and/or fans, will need to outfit ourselves with the new brand.

 

[HobokenHusky]

When I tell anyone where I went to school; job interviews, friendly discussion, whatever, every time since I graduated (2007) if I say "Connecticut", they look confused and then ask back "UConn?" Without fail, every time. I have completely stopped using it and just say UConn. Now no one looks confused when I say that.

We are UConn, according to basically everyone, whether you want to believe it is true or not. This decision was not made on a whim. Deal with it and move on.

 

[freescooter]

Regarding your comment of there not existing a blue husky in the wild or in captivity, that's a non-starter. There was blue in the old logo too, but only to provide limited detail to the happy cartoon samoyed face. I think the additional blue is because the official school colors are equally N.F. Blue and White. Additionally, I suspect the reason the logo prior were only black and white is because of the creation/reproduction techniques of designer colors are now less cost-prohibitive.

The rebrand has more behind it than just unifying the school's athletic programs and uniforms. It also has to do with money (Obviously. Everything does nowadays.). This is an additional revenue bump because most of us (I probably won't for a while though. My Block C football T-shirt will suit me just fine. I rarely purchased anything with the old logo to begin with), as alumni and/or fans, will need to outfit ourselves with the new brand.

The "no blue" huskies comment was meant mostly tongue in cheek since Susan and Warde made such a big thing about how the old version "wasn't even a husky." But it maintained 75 years of tradition of having an all white husky, something they ignored with their re-brand. I just think they are generally disrespectful of UConn's history and traditions, and while I like some of what they are doing, I don't like how they do things. In a University it is almost a matter of pride that you get buyin from the various constituencies. They are regularly ignoring that. And it is more aggravating when they do something poorly like this re-brand thing.

 

[uconnell]

The "no blue" huskies comment was meant mostly tongue in cheek since Susan and Warde made such a big thing about how the old version "wasn't even a husky." But it maintained 75 years of tradition of having an all white husky, something they ignored with their re-brand. I just think they are generally disrespectful of UConn's history and traditions, and while I like some of what they are doing, I don't like how they do things. In a University it is almost a matter of pride that you get buyin from the various constituencies. They are regularly ignoring that. And it is more aggravating when they do something poorly like this re-brand thing.

Sorry, both Warde and Susan are wrong as I have argued that there is a white Siberian Husky. It annoys me no end when people make statements about which they know nothing. Just to check I went to a Siberian Husky breeders site, there are many, to double check. I, too liked the old white husky, the new one would have been great all white instead we get Donald the blue dog and there isn't any blue marked husky dog.

 

[Dooley]

I don't care if we call ourselves Flippity Flappity Dog Poop. UConn will get to a new conference once the football program wins 7-8 games, fans go to games and spend lots of money traveling to away games and buying new merchandise, basketball is back in good championship academic standing, and we are either in, or on the verge of being in, the AAU.

 

[UConnDan97]

In terms of the logo, I definitely know where I stand. In terms of the branding of UConn instead of Connecticut, I have mixed feelings. When I'm talking to a stranger, I almost always say that I "went to UConn." When I'm talking to a business associate or I'm on a job interview, I always say, "I attended the University of Connecticut" without fail. So I guess I've chimed in so that I can announce to the world that I am non-committal....fantastic!...

 

[Dann]

I realize I am never going to win this but it's fun arguing it. That's for sure. I think it's time for a recruiting chart, post.

 

[J187Money]

For business I say that I got by MBA from Columbia. Problem solved.

 

[Dann]

Baylor puts out a 1 min vid to tease new unis. We are simply not capable of this...

http://footballscoop.com/news/9794-video-baylor-releases-a-new-uniform-teaser

 

[Husky25]

Baylor puts out a 1 min vid to tease new unis. We are simply not capable of this...

http://footballscoop.com/news/9794-video-baylor-releases-a-new-uniform-teaser

Not impressed. Baylor is not rebranding. They are just adjusting style. You're now just looking for reasons to b1tch.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Dann]

Not impressed. Baylor is not rebranding. They are just adjusting style. You're now just looking for reasons to b1tch.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Glad your not impressed. Other BCS schools did this type stuff also. But not uconn. We had a press conf in front of 50 kids in our basketball arena and did all jerseys and not a special football thing. Remember football drives the bus everywhere accept at uconn.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=fTqDYL0VHEY&desktop_uri=/watch?v=fTqDYL0VHEY

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=_q2juQWuoew

Black unis. Nfl cut boy! Poop like that clearly sells so that's why we don't do it.....the best to date was navy last year. Meanwhile we still have a line on the side of our jerseys that's not a football line and its just awkward. Congrats.

 

[RMoore1999]

Are u kidding? Do u have any clue what I have spent the past 2 years ranting about?

I think you should go back to work warde, your school is falling apart because of u.

It's not Warde's school. Or Susan's. One way or another they'll both be gone sooner or later. As an alum, lifelong resident and fan, it's MY school. And yours. And all the other alums, residents and fans. Many of us are emotionally invested. But the adminstrative leadership is not. Sad, but the simple reality. Hopefully sooner or later they are able to add value as it relates to athletics.

 

[CAHUSKY]

Sorry, both Warde and Susan are wrong as I have argued that there is a white Siberian Husky. It annoys me no end when people make statements about which they know nothing. Just to check I went to a Siberian Husky breeders site, there are many, to double check. I, too liked the old white husky, the new one would have been great all white instead we get Donald the blue dog and there isn't any blue marked husky dog.

They didnt say there arent white huskies. They said our mascot wasnt a husky, which it wasnt. The artist who drew the logo based it on his Samoyed.

 

[Kingspoint]

GO YUKON!

 

[freescooter]

They didnt say there arent white huskies. They said our mascot wasnt a husky, which it wasnt. The artist who drew the logo based it on his Samoyed.

Nor are there blue ones. That was their "justification" for changing one of the most identifiable logos in college athletics into one of the most generic. You walk into a gathering with the old logo and everyone knew it was UConn. I've had it happen in Florida. I've had it happen in New Orleans, in LA, in Portland Maine and Portland Oregon and even in Madrid Spain. People recognized that logo as representing UConn. Whether it was an accurate depiction of a husky is irrelevant. It has been replaced by a piece of clipart, and clipart that ignored UConn's tradition on top of that.

 

[freescooter]

As for Susan and Warde, don't be shocked if she is in the mix for the next ACC opening or the next Big opening. Warde is out of here as soon as he finds the right gig. He didn't take this job to run a mid-major department. If he gets out soon, both he and UConn will both be better off.

 

[uconnell]

They didnt say there arent white huskies. They said our mascot wasnt a husky, which it wasnt. The artist who drew the logo based it on his Samoyed.

Have to disagree, there are shaggy hair Huskies that are called woolies. They have much more hair than most Huskies, caused by a recessive gene.

 

[BHusky]

Have to disagree, there are shaggy hair Huskies that are called woolies. They have much more hair than most Huskies, caused by a recessive gene.

The point wasn't that there are actually "wooly" huskies out there with longer/shaggy coats. The point is that the artist who created the previous Husky logo drew it based on his dog which was half samoyed. So it was not based on a true rendition of a husky.

And to get really technical about Wooly Huskies, long hair on Huskies is considered a fault if the dog has it because it collects clumps of snow. So we either had a half samoyed husky logo or a husky with a genetic defect as it relates to working husky dogs.

 

[huskymedic]

The point wasn't that there are actually "wooly" huskies out there with longer/shaggy coats. The point is that the artist who created the previous Husky logo drew it based on his dog which was half samoyed. So it was not based on a true rendition of a husky.

And to get really technical about Wooly Huskies, long hair on Huskies is considered a fault if the dog has it because it collects clumps of snow. So we either had a half samoyed husky logo or a husky with a genetic defect as it relates to working husky dogs.

Someone mention a Husky with a genetic defect?

 

[CAHUSKY]

Have to disagree, there are shaggy hair Huskies that are called woolies. They have much more hair than most Huskies, caused by a recessive gene.

No one said there wasn't. The point was that the old mascot was, by the artists own admission, patterned after his own samoyed. You may think that it was fine that we had a samoyed as our representation and should have kept it but to say it was a shaggy breed of husky is untrue.

 

[freescooter]

The point wasn't that there are actually "wooly" huskies out there with longer/shaggy coats. The point is that the artist who created the previous Husky logo drew it based on his dog which was half samoyed. So it was not based on a true rendition of a husky.

And to get really technical about Wooly Huskies, long hair on Huskies is considered a fault if the dog has it because it collects clumps of snow. So we either had a half samoyed husky logo or a husky with a genetic defect as it relates to working husky dogs.

all of which is totally irrelevant when you consider that the former Husky was clearly and universally identified with the University of Connecticut and its athletic teams. In the same way that the Trojan figure(which is really based on a Roman soldier from many centuries later) is Southern Cal, the green clothed leprechaun is identified with Notre Dame despite the fact that in Irish traditions leprechauns don't wear green, its usually red or brown, and they wear tri-cornered hats,or sometimes stocking caps or pointed caps but neverthe type of hat ND's sports. The white husky that may not have been a perfect representation of a perfect husky, is identified with UConn and has been for 15 years with minor modifications. Since 1935, beginning with Jonathan II we have been represented by a white husky. But the last version was probably one of the most identifiable ones in college athletics. Changing it because "it wasn't really a husky" is comparable to McDonalds replacing the golden arches because they were really yellow not gold. to repalce it with something so generic would be like McDonalds replacing the golden arches with glass doors.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

Disagree. UConn just screams championships. "Connecticut" screams J. Crew penny loafers. And half the country probably can't locate Connecticut on a map.

Did J Crew buy Bass and replace the "Weejun?"

 

[Dann]

all of which is totally irrelevant when you consider that the former Husky was clearly and universally identified with the University of Connecticut and its athletic teams. In the same way that the Trojan figure(which is really based on a Roman soldier from many centuries later) is Southern Cal, the green clothed leprechaun is identified with Notre Dame despite the fact that in Irish traditions leprechauns don't wear green, its usually red or brown, and they wear tri-cornered hats,or sometimes stocking caps or pointed caps but neverthe type of hat ND's sports. The white husky that may not have been a perfect representation of a perfect husky, is identified with UConn and has been for 15 years with minor modifications. Since 1935, beginning with Jonathan II we have been represented by a white husky. But the last version was probably one of the most identifiable ones in college athletics. Changing it because "it wasn't really a husky" is comparable to McDonalds replacing the golden arches because they were really yellow not gold. to repalce it with something so generic would be like McDonalds replacing the golden arches with glass doors.

exactly. the new logo is to far of a stretch from the old one. thats the whole point. i dont care as much here as others about the blue vs white. i think there is a nice in the middle that can be met on that. for me its simply not a uconn husky, its to far off so the brand power built up over time is just gone. the red outline makes me want to do bad things to ppl and its a slap in our face. there is a reason we are surrounded by that color schools wise and its hated. then wartde and susan outline our brand and logo in red. unreal. why dont we just change the blue to a lighter blue so we look more like duke and uk while we are at it.

 

[hthusky74]

When Memphis calls itself umem or uphis u let me know. Your takings for profit and comparing it to a non profit. Your taking a national dilevery business and comparing it to a college. One drives around in trucks and handles brown boxes the other teaches, researches and plays sports. Glad we're on the same page here.

Michigan
Alabama
Florida
Texas
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
West Virginia
Virginia
Maryland
Ohio state
Penn state
Illinois
Michigan state
Iowa
Nebraska
Utah
Washington
Oregon

And so on. Then there is the northeast with private schools and city schools. If there was ever a region where a state brand could show up and rise to the top it's where we sit. Yet we decided to throw the nickname as our brand out there. There is not any other region of the country where there are BCS teams without a state name. For every Baylor there is a Texas. Wake. North Carolina. Vandy. Tennessee. N western Illinois. Meanwhile up in the northeast we have Rutgers, Cuse and bc. It begs for a state name. So we went with a nickname. For decades we watched real football down south and west make fun of the northeast. Those small schools up there blah blah. We are the chance to kill that talk and rise above the region. Instead we act like we want to join them.

As your discourse below indicates, at least in their repective regions and leagues, Vanderbilt is always referred to as Vandy, BC as BC. In addition Alabama is referred to as Bama, Tennessee and Texas both as UT, Georgia Tech as Tech, Mississippi as Ol' Miss, Rhode Island as Rhody, Massachusetts as UMass, Louisiana State is LSU, Texas El Paso is UTEP, Southern Methodist is SMU, Texas Christian is TCU, and on and on. No matter where you go the abbreviated nicknames are de rigeur. If not those, than the mascot name is utilized. I went to graduate school at UT (Tennessee) and believe me, at least with regards to sports you were referring to UT, The Vols, or The Big Orange. Alabama was always 'Bama or The Tide (didn't bother with Crimson, there is only one Tide). I think you are getting worked up about nothing. If we win games, you can call us Storrs Agricultural College and it won't matter.

 

[Dann]

As your discourse below indicates, at least in their repective regions and leagues, Vanderbilt is always referred to as Vandy, BC as BC. In addition Alabama is referred to as Bama, Tennessee and Texas both as UT, Georgia Tech as Tech, Mississippi as Ol' Miss, Rhode Island as Rhody, Massachusetts as UMass, Louisiana State is LSU, Texas El Paso is UTEP, Southern Methodist is SMU, Texas Christian is TCU, and on and on. No matter where you go the abbreviated nicknames are de rigeur. If not those, than the mascot name is utilized. I went to graduate school at UT (Tennessee) and believe me, at least with regards to sports you were referring to UT, The Vols, or The Big Orange. Alabama was always 'Bama or The Tide (didn't bother with Crimson, there is only one Tide). I think you are getting worked up about nothing. If we win games, you can call us Storrs Agricultural College and it won't matter.

all of those schools dont officially call them selves by nick name. we do now. thats the big deal. tennessee doesn't sign checks with "ut or the vols". we sign checks as uconn not connecticut.

 

[Husky25]

all of those schools dont officially call them selves by nick name. we do now. thats the big deal. tennessee doesn't sign checks with "ut or the vols". we sign checks as uconn not connecticut.

Just because you type it in a different thread, doesn't make it anymore correct.

1) Technically speaking, the University does not sign checks.
2) No they don't. It's the athletic identity branded consistently across the sports.
3) Click on this official link. "University of Connecticut" is still prominantly displayed in the main banner.

When was the last time you herad State College, Pennslyvannia?

 

[freescooter]

exactly. the new logo is to far of a stretch from the old one. thats the whole point. i dont care as much here as others about the blue vs white. i think there is a nice in the middle that can be met on that. for me its simply not a uconn husky, its to far off so the brand power built up over time is just gone. the red outline makes me want to do bad things to ppl and its a slap in our face. there is a reason we are surrounded by that color schools wise and its hated. then wartde and susan outline our brand and logo in red. unreal. why dont we just change the blue to a lighter blue so we look more like duke and uk while we are at it.

Dan,
Its frieghtening to me and probably to you too, but you got it exactly on the nose. You can make modest adjustments (like the 90s logo to the 2000s one) but they elected to toss out the brand and all the equity it had earned over 2 decades for no apparent reason except "it didn't look like a true husky." It would have been a dumb move in any respect. to replace it with Donald the Toupee Dog, which could have been made by a 12 year old with access to clipart and MSPaint, was beyond dumb. I honestly think there were 2 motivations. 1st, donald is cheap to reproduce, unlike the other one which was quite detailed. 2nd Nike already designed the dopey eyeball helmet and that drove the logo, not the other way around.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Do the negative nancy's on this board think that the new logo won't be quickly associated with UConn? It's not like in a year or two every college fan isn't going to have a clue whose logo that is. UConn isn't a brand because of some cartoon dog, it's a brand because of performance and that isn't going to stop because of a new logo. ESPN isn't going to stop showing our games, other ADs won't stop scheduling us, etc. Changing a logo does not remove our entire history, despite the whining of a bunch of people on this board.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Dan,
Its frieghtening to me and probably to you too, but you got it exactly on the nose. You can make modest adjustments (like the 90s logo to the 2000s one) but they elected to toss out the brand and all the equity it had earned over 2 decades for no apparent reason except "it didn't look like a true husky." It would have been a dumb move in any respect. to replace it with Donald the Toupee Dog, which could have been made by a 12 year old with access to clipart and MSPaint, was beyond dumb. I honestly think there were 2 motivations. 1st, donald is cheap to reproduce, unlike the other one which was quite detailed. 2nd Nike already designed the dopey eyeball helmet and that drove the logo, not the other way around.

You officially win for most absurd complaint. There isn't an army of grandmas creating every team's logo in needlepoint. It's computers and I can assure you,the cost difference in producing one vs. the other is marginal at best.

 

[freescooter]

Do the negative nancy's on this board think that the new logo won't be quickly associated with UConn? It's not like in a year or two every college fan isn't going to have a clue whose logo that is. UConn isn't a brand because of some cartoon dog, it's a brand because of performance and that isn't going to stop because of a new logo. ESPN isn't going to stop showing our games, other ADs won't stop scheduling us, etc. Changing a logo does not remove our entire history, despite the whining of a bunch of people on this board.

You obviously miss the point about brands. And I doubt you've looked at the complexity of the old husky vs. Donald. Donald is cheap and easily reproducible on a computer. The other is far more textured and requires more complexity, even when produced on a computer hence is more expensive to reproduce.