The new mark, created by Skye Dillon, of Skye Design Studios (which has experience branding some of the most recognized organizations and properties in sports nationwide), features a full-body wildcat perched atop Bald Eagle Mountain alongside the West Branch of the Susquehanna River – icons of the scenic landscape surrounding Penn College. The wildcat, shaded in white, metallic grey and royal blue, is oriented with its head panned slightly to the right. The new logo replaces a 25-year-old mark.
“With our move toward full NCAA Division III membership, our athletic teams competing in the North Eastern Athletic Conference, and full-time coaches who recruit student-athletes to the college, it was time for the wildcat to take on a fresh, new look,” said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. “I commend the committee from across campus that guided this process. The striking new logo and related marks reflect a new era in Penn College Athletics.”
“This logo is one that ties our history with our present and future,” said John Vandevere, director of athletics. “It is a sleek, modern, stoic, proud design that will transcend generations and captures not only who we are, but what and where we come from. I am extremely thankful to the committee and Skye Dillon for all of their hard work leading us down this path toward a new identity. We are a very proud college with a strong foundation, and we are always looking forward and competing in every facet of our lives.”In addition to the new primary mark, Skye Design Studios created a custom font, a wildcat paw print and an interlocking “PCT” mark as secondary and tertiary logos. The font features a cog-inspired serif as an homage to the cog in the official Penn College seal. The paw, too, includes a cog feature near the pads, while portraying a strong, bold presence. The interlocking PCT mark uses the new font for a unified look.
The redesign process began in March 2016 with the selection of a steering committee to assess the feasibility, significance and practicality of a new logo and its implementation. The initial time frame included vendor presentations and evaluations. In November, Skye Design Studios was selected, and work began on the new logo.
“The combination of Skye Dillon’s portfolio and his vision for our project was very impressive,” said Matt Blymier, assistant director of athletics/sports information director. “We knew almost instantly that he was the right person for this project.”
Dillon visited campus in January, meeting with representatives of the Penn College community – including students, athletics staff, faculty members and college administration – to gather input for the design.“Penn College is a special institution with a specific story to tell,” Dillon said. “One of our favorite aspects of this particular project was the enthusiastic collaboration with such a broad set of voices within the institution, a true embodiment of teamwork that led to a fulfilling final deliverable, built to stand the test of time.
“A central theme that resonated during the research portion of this project was the emphasis on connectivity, as well as applied technology. As a result, we utilized the metal cog concept from the academic seal as a launching point to inspire details found in both the typography, as well as the wildcat icon. In addition to being a universal symbol for all technology-based programs, the metal cog also carried traits of synergy, power and motion ideal for an athletic identity.”For more about the Florham Park, New Jersey-based Skye Design Studios, visit the company's website.
Penn College student-athletes participate in 15 intercollegiate sports. The college is a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, which consists of 14 Division III institutions (eight private, six public) from New York; Pennsylvania; New Jersey; and Washington, D.C.
Twelve of the college's 15 intercollegiate athletic teams participate in the NEAC: men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, women's volleyball, men's golf, baseball, and softball. The wrestling team competes at the Division III level as an independent, while the men's and women's archery team has no affiliation with the NCAA and competes in USA Archery.
For more, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdNpKGb22fA
– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor, and Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer
... a chain linking the recent past with an exciting future.
Athletes from a number of Wildcat teams line the outskirts of the auditorium ...
The logo designer and Lauren Healy, head women’s basketball coach, chat before the event starts.
The Wildcat warms up the crowd with a few high-fives.
Athletics photos from days-gone-by were shown on the big screen ...
One of the college’s old renditions of the Wildcat “paw-ses" in a slideshow parade through yesteryear.
The college president addresses the gathering.
Vandevere discusses the evolution of athletics at the college.
Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer, offers a review of Wildcat history.
Director of Athletics John Vandevere, President Davie Jane Gilmour and the Wildcat prepare for the big unveiling!
Athletes toss free T-shirts with the new logo …
... and hands rise to catch them throughout the crowd.
A proud 'cat makes its debut under Wildcat blue stage lights.
Skye Dillon describes for an enthralled crowd the elements that went into the design.
Athletes enthusiatically affirm the new brand - #gearupwildcats
Pins are distributed after the event.
Dylan A. Bianco, an engineering design technology student from State College, was among the lucky ones to score a new Wildcat water bottle.
Baseball players pose with their swag.
The oldest building on campus sports the latest news.
Former baseball standout (and current assistant coach) Tyler M. Cooklin displays a prized new T-shirt
Lines form in The College Store after the event with many buying the new look!
A festive table in The College Store offers the new logo on T-shirts.
... detailing the new logo's role in the prestigious progression of Wildcat Athletics.
Vandevere faces a packed house ...
With larger-than-life flourish, a new mascot roars into being.
The comprehensive redesign extends throughout the Wildcat's world, including team uniforms.
... evoking a mix of nostalgia, humor and tradition.