Aug. 12, 2009

SAN MARCOS -

As the Texas State athletics department continues its move forward in the Drive to the NCAA Division I FBS level, the program is continuously looking for ways to improve itself and put itself on that next level.

Most expect facility upgrades, more championships and increased attendance and ticket sales, but another major role in a successful sports organization is a successful and recognizable brand.

As Texas State becomes more prominent on a national and regional scale, we want our brand to become synonymous with all of our sports and administrative offices. A successful brand is one that is easily recognizable, makes a strong statement and is versatile.

To achieve all three of these aspects Texas State athletics is refining its primary mark and implementing measures to achieve an efficient and effective brand mark.

The functionality of the lettering "Texas State" in the current primary logo featuring the words "Texas State" with the alternate primary logo, SuperCat to the right is being changed.

The previous typeface in the logo is not a common typography thus making it difficult to use. In fact, each letter was its own unique design thus using the typeface outside of its configuration in the logo is difficult. We want our logo and word mark to be used easily throughout the entire department and in the marketplace including uniforms, apparel, and collateral pieces.

As a result, the new typeface found in the athletic primary logo for Texas State Athletics will change to a font called "Wacker," in honor of Texas State's former highly successful football coach and athletic director. A Texas State student originally designed the typeface in 2003. Since then, Jeff Davis, an assistant professor in Texas State's communication design department, along with a marketing committee completed the design and has spent several months determining usability, stance, and perception.

The change in the typeface is only a subtle change, but it will have a huge impact in the department becoming efficient and effective as we move toward being more on par with schools at the FBS level.

The change will take place immediately. 

"If you look at a lot of major athletic programs you see a consistency in their logo use by all sports and department offices," said Bryan Miller, Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Promotions. "The colors are consistent; the logo use is consistent and even down to the fonts they use on items is consistent." Some of the best examples are LSU, Oregon, Louisville and Florida.

"These are things we can control. We are doing everything we can to make Texas State the most professional and strongest brand, perception wise. That is what this small change will do.

"Many fans close to the program have suggested exclusively using just the SuperCat logo (formerly just called Bobcat head). While the department would one day love to only feature this mark in a majority of its collateral development, Texas State needs to become more nationally recognized and it is important that we keep the Texas State type face as our primary athletics logo. We hope that in the near future, we can view only the SuperCat on national media outlets such as ESPN and everyone knows immediately that it represents Texas State.

Texas State Athletics is a "Gold Standard" program and nationally recognized leader through commitment to excellence in education and personal development, success in athletic competition, providing equitable opportunities for student-athletes, and for serving as a stakeholder in university and community pride. The athletics department competes in 16 varsity sports at the Division I level and competes in football at the NCAA Division I FCS level.  Headed by Dr. Larry Teis, the Texas State Athletics is committed to the fans, businesses and communities of Central Texas.  For more information about the Texas State athletics department, we invite you to visit our official athletics website, www.txstatebobcats.com.