5 minute read
Athletics
A TIGER CAN CHANGE ITS STRIPES
CC Athletics Unveils Refreshed Logos and Mascot
Talia Cloud ’23,left, and Jordan Meltzer ’20 react to their new jerseys when they were revealed in their locker room before a game. Photo by Katie Klann
Several different versions of a tiger have found a home on Colorado College athletics uniforms, facilities, and offices throughout the history of the school. In addition, two interlocking Cs as well as many forms of wordmarks have been sprinkled around campus.
In 1938, when the hockey team made its debut, the squad’s uniforms had a running tiger in between the words Colorado College. The national champion team in 1950 had its tiger running the other way, but still in between the words. When the 1957 NCAA team won the national title, the uniforms didn’t even have a tiger on them, just the players’ numbers with the school’s name on the front.
From the late ’80s through the mid-’90s, the teams wore a version of the two interlocking Cs for several years before dropping the logo for the tiger shield everyone has been familiar with since then.
Earlier this year, the Colorado College Department of Athletics unveiled refreshed logos and a new mascot. On Feb. 7, several events were held to show the updated logos around El Pomar Sports Center, including giveaways, updated merchandise in the bookstore, signage changes, and the launch of a new logo video.
It had been three decades since the most recent tiger shield logo was designed. A lot has changed at CC in 30 years and it was time to refresh the logo to reflect that progress. The dated logo had lost adaptability and flexibility in some applications like embroidery and digital communications.
“This is an exciting day for the Tigers,” Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine said on Feb. 7. “The logo refresh speaks directly to the momentum of CC Athletics on campus. It also allows us an opportunity to build on visibility and identity in a focused and consistent way. We love the new look!”
The refreshed logo and accompanying visual identity system provide the opportunity for all CC athletics teams to appear unified and consistent in their uniforms and sports gear. This allows the teams to look their best during competition, and promotes a modern, professional-looking presentation to our opponents and the public.
The development of the Ed Robson Arena also provided an opportunity to consider what is possible with an athletics logo update; the construction of the new building could coincide with the unveiling of the refreshed logo to the CC, Colorado Springs, and regional community fans.
CC stakeholders like alumni, students, faculty, and staff worked with Joe Bosack and Co., a leader in sports team logos and identity. Last spring, the firm held a series of focus groups with student athletes, athletics staff, student leaders, faculty and staff, local alumni, and the Board of Trustees to review logo versions and discuss the essential elements that the updated logo needed to express. Athletics and Communications staff and the Board of Trustees weighed in on options at the board's summer retreat and the stakeholder group selected the final logo.
The new logos are reflected in multiple athletics venues. Specifically, the interlocking CC logo was displayed at center ice at The Broadmoor World Arena and center court in Reid Arena beginning Feb. 7.
One month later, on March 6, a new mascot was unveiled during the hockey game against in-state rival Denver. With the long-time mascot “Prowler” graduating, we welcomed “RoCCY” to the family. Nearly 1,300 votes were cast in an online vote, and RoCCY narrowly defeated Roary. Not only did our new Tiger have a name change, but a new mascot costume was unveiled as well.
Faceoff at Falcon Stadium
The CC hockey team played the second outdoor game in program history on Feb. 17 in the “Faceoff at Falcon Stadium” against the U.S. Air Force Academy. The contest was held two days after the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings played on the same rink as part of the NHL Stadium Series.
The Colorado College hockey team faces off against the Air Force Academy during an outdoor game at Falcon Stadium. Photo by Jennifer Coombes
Grant Cruikshank ’22 posted the first hat trick of his career and Matt Vernon ’23 finished with 27 saves to lead the Tigers to a 4-2 victory over Air Force. More than 7,000 fans attended the game.
Nearly four years earlier, the Tigers played the University of Denver in the “Battle on Blake” in front of 35,144 fans at Coors Field. “It just doesn’t happen and may not happen again if they play 10, 15 years after,” Colorado College head coach Mike Haviland says. “I was certainly excited. It brings you back to being a kid. It was cold, it had snow flurries, it had everything. This is something that will last a lifetime.” Cruikshank scored the first two goals of the game, then put the icing on the cake with an empty-netter in the final minute as the Tigers completed the weekend sweep of the Falcons. On Feb. 14, CC retained the Pikes Peak Trophy with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Falcons. Cruikshank opened the scoring with a power-play goal at the 13:18 mark of the first period. He redirected a pass from Bryan Yoon ’22 past the Falcon’s Alex Schilling from the slot for his ninth goal of the season.
The sophomore captain posted his second goal of the game at the 11:49 mark of the middle period
for a 2-0 lead. After taking a pass from Yoon, Cruikshank’s initial shot from the right circle was saved by Schilling, but the puck went right back to him and he placed a backhander past the Falcon netminder.
The Tigers regained their two-goal lead when Chris Wilkie ’20 scored the eventual game-winner at the 3:21 mark of the third period, and Cruikshank scored his third goal of the game with 37 seconds remaining.
Colorado College invited alumni, students, community members, and stakeholders in the Ed Robson Arena construction plans to campus to celebrate Robson in person and hold a ceremonial groundbreaking. In attendance were, from left, Richard Skorman ’75, President Jill Tiefenthaler, Ed Robson ’54, Mike Slade ’79, Coach Mike Haviland and Vice President and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine. Photos by Jennifer Coombes
