For Immediate Release: August 27, 1999

Binghamton University’s 19 intercollegiate sports teams will shed their Colonial image for the new look of the BU Bearcats as the University begins athletic competition for the 1999-2000 season. The change in the University’s athletic logo was introduced Friday night by President Lois B. DeFleur and Joel Thirer, director of physical education, recreation and athletics, at a press conference and gathering of the University Athletic Club. The change was made after more than seven years of campus-wide study.(see timeline) The Bearcat, a mythical animal that combines the power and ferocity of a bear with the cunning and quickness of a cat, will be represented by a new logo created by SME Design of New York City. The logo depicts a green and black animal with combined bear and cat qualities, above the word marks of “Bearcats” and “Binghamton University.” The image maintains the traditional Binghamton dark green along with a lighter shade for contrast, and is enclosed by a gray border. “The bearcat is a symbol of strength and power and we hope this new athletics logo for Binghamton will bring excitement and a new spirit to our athletic competitions,” said President Lois B. DeFleur. “We believe it will increase our visibility and help enhance enthusiasm for Binghamton both on campus and in the community.” Discussion about changing the logo began in 1989 when a Student Association survey of more than 1,200 students found that a majority did not like the “Colonials” nickname. Most recently, a 14-member committee comprised of BU faculty, staff, alumni and students convened in April 1998, and began to study possible updates to the athletics logo, nickname and mascot — the latter of which had not depicted a “Colonial” at home events for nearly a decade. The following qualities were considered in selecting a new nickname: inspirational, powerful, gender neutral, non-offensive, aggressive, dignified and marketable. The group was partial to an animal, which could represent traditional sports qualities such as strength and power, yet also represent both the male and female athletes at Binghamton. The committee also favored alliteration, and finally settled on the mythical “Bearcat” — a cross between the power and ferocity of a bear and the cunning and quickness of a cat. In March, 1999, SME conducted interviews with several focus groups, comprised of students, community members and alumni. Through feedback in these sessions, the firm tailored its design into the current image. A “Bearcats” mascot is in production, and will be unveiled at the basketball Midnight Madness event, October 15 in the West Gym. The nickname and logo change comes as BU athletics enters its middle year of Division II competition in 1999-2000. In its very first season, Binghamton captured the President’s Cup as the most successful overall program in the 10-school New England Collegiate Conference. The University will elevate its entire 19-sport athletics program to NCAA Division I status in fall, 2001.