MACON, Ga., March 17 -- The University System of Georgia Macon State College issued the following news release:
The logo, designed by a firm that specializes in professional and collegiate athletics sports identity development, features the head of a menacing horse emerging from a background of blue storm clouds. The horse gained favor with a committee of students, faculty, and staff as a tribute to Macon State's original mascot, the Mustangs.
Joe Bosack Graphic Design Company presented two versions of a Blue Storm logo to the committee. The two versions were posted online and the campus community was invited to give feedback. Of 620 responses, about 55 percent preferred the logo eventually recommended by the committee and approved by Dr. David A. Bell, Macon State's president. About 33 percent favored the other version. The rest expressed no preference.
As part of his proposal, Bosack told the committee that:
'By using the assigned imagery of a horse within the Blue Storm identity, we make a subtle nod to the history of Macon State while creating an image that stands out amongst the crowded genre of storm logos. The result is an identity that has a meaningful connection to the college while making a unique and own-able statement.'
In summer 2010, Macon State's Student Government Association led the effort to identify a mascot since the old mascot, the Mustangs, had mostly disappeared from use. Mustangs was used when the college had intercollegiate basketball and softball teams, but those teams disbanded in 1997.
With organized sports returning to Macon State in the form of club teams - including baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, rugby, and competitive cheerleading - some students began the push for a mascot. A campuswide contest yielded 370 suggestions that a committee of students, faculty, and staff narrowed to five finalists. The committee eventually recommended 'Blue Storm' to Bell, who gave the final approval.
The word 'Blue' comes from the college's colors of blue and gold. The word 'Storm' was suggested because a storm is powerful and threatening It contains energy, wind, lightning, thunder, and force.
James Hagler, Macon State's director of recreation and wellness, said the college's club teams will begin featuring the new logo on uniforms as soon as possible. T-shirts and other merchandise featuring the logo will be sold in the college's bookstores on the Macon and Warner Robins campuses.
For Macon State students, free items with the new logo will be given away (while supplies last) at these events:
* Blue Storm vs. Georgia Southern baseball game, 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Luther Williams Field.
* Warner Robins Campus Field Day, 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12.
* Macon Campus Field Day, 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 13.
* Health Expo, Oak Hall, Warner Robins Campus, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
