Minuteman prevails as Athletics logo

By Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

"The Minuteman triumphs," Athletics director Ian McCaw announced at a press conference late Wednesday afternoon. "The alumni and friends of the University have spoken."

      McCaw's announcement effectively ended more than a week of controversy over the fate of the 30-year-old logo, which was being considered for retirement in favor of a wolf by Athletics and Phoenix Design Works, a New York consulting firm hired to help the department update its look.

      "What I was most impressed with was the volume of interest in this issue," he said. (For a taste of the commentary, see Letters to the Chronicle.)

      The Minuteman will have a new look, though, which will be unveiled in a few weeks, along with the remainder of the identity package, including fonts and colors.

      Although McCaw was quick to put the logo issue to rest, he wouldn't reveal other information about the identity makeover, other than to say the new Minuteman "will be more broadly representative."

      "This decision is in the best interests of the University and our department and will provide us with the opportunity to maintain our tradition, while affording us longevity and marketability with a new logo identity program," he said.

      Asked how much changing team uniforms to comply with the new identity program will cost, McCaw said each team's uniform purchasing and needs are different so he won't know until the process is underway.