William and Mary Logo Committee at Work

14-Person Group Actively Seeking Suggestions from College Community

04/09/07 11:01AM

Williamsburg, VA - The committee charged with developing a new logo for the College of William and Mary and its athletics program is seeking input from members of the College community.

The 14-person committee, chaired by Vice President for Student Affairs Sam Sadler, is made up of alumni, students, faculty and staff at the College. Members of the College community are encouraged to visit the committee’s new Web site at www.wm.edu/logo/ to read more about the selection criteria, process and the official charge of the group. The committee is hoping to gather as much input as possible from members of the College community through April 29.

President Gene R. Nichol established the committee following a decision last fall by the National Collegiate Athletic Association regarding William and Mary’s athletic logo. As part of a review of more than 30 universities’ use nick-names, logos and imagery associated with Native Americans, the NCAA ruled last year that William and Mary’s ath-letic logo, which included two green and gold feathers, must be changed if the College wished to remain eligible host NCAA postseason events or participate in NCAA championship events. William and Mary appealed that ruling to the NCAA Executive Committee, which denied the appeal.

William and Mary President Gene R. Nichol has established a committee to develop a new symbol of identity for the College and its athletics program. The College’s Logo Committee, which is chaired by Sam Sadler, Vice President for Student Affairs, is tasked with developing both a logo for the school and making exploring whether the College should adopt a mascot at this time. The group will to present a recommendation by early Fall 2007.