The Arkansas State Red Wolves are the athletic teams of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, competing in the Sun Belt Conference. The university adopted the Red Wolves nickname in 2008, replacing the previous Indians identity, and unveiled its new visual imagery on March 13, 2008, at a campus ceremony.[1]
Design and History
The Red Wolves identity was created in response to NCAA sanctions regarding Native American imagery in college sports. The university’s Mascot Selection Steering Committee voted to recommend “Wolves” as the new mascot on January 31, 2008, and the NCAA officially approved the Red Wolves name on March 7, 2008.[2] The rollout ceremony for the new logo took place on March 13, 2008.[1]
The original imagery was developed internally by the university’s Department of Publications and Creative Services. According to director Ron Looney, all four staff artists collaborated on the Red Wolf imagery. Initial sketches of the wolf mascot were created by art director Mark Reeves and designer Mary Williams, graphic designer Heath Kelly developed the lettering style, and staff artist Michael Johnson assisted with conceptual suggestions and digital manipulation.[1]
The new logo retained the university’s established colors of red, white, and black.[3] Athletic director Dr. Dean Lee described the mark as having “mystique” and noted the absence of visible eyes in the design, calling it “somewhat mysterious” and “fierce.”[3]
In 2015, the wolf head mark, which had served as an alternate logo since its 2008 debut, was promoted to primary status. The white outline is always included so the eyes remain white regardless of the background.[4] The former primary mark, which had been used from 2008 to 2015, became the second-preferred logo after the wolf head, with a fix applied to the black outline’s miter point at that time.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The Red Wolves name was chosen in part because the red wolf was once a common species in Arkansas.[6] The university’s official colors are scarlet and black.[7] The trademark registration for the “RED WOLVES ARKANSAS STATE” mark describes the design as consisting of the head of a wolf with the words “red wolves Arkansas state.”[8]
Typography and Design
For the university’s broader visual identity, the “Arkansas State” text incorporated into the logo uses the font City Compressed Medium, which was specifically chosen and may not be substituted.[9] The university logo is set in two colors: ASU Red (PANTONE 186) and Black.[10]
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