The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights are the NCAA Division I athletic teams representing Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan campus in Teaneck and Hackensack, New Jersey. The program competes in the Northeast Conference and fields 21 Division I teams. The Knights’ visual identity underwent a complete overhaul in July 2023, the first full brand change since 2004, developed in partnership with the Charlotte-based creative consultancy VPCo. [1]
Design and History
FDU Athletics unveiled its new visual branding identity on July 10, 2023, with the new marks taking effect immediately. The primary logo consists of a flame-bladed sword, described as a nod to the Hackensack River and the waves Knights’ student-athletes make in competitions, paired with tall letters reading “FDU.” The sword is split with one half each colored white and blue to represent the Township of Teaneck and the City of Hackensack. The handle of the sword features a castle-like design, an ode to Iviswold, the castle on FDU’s former campus in Rutherford, New Jersey. [1]
The redesign also reimagined Knightro, FDU’s mascot, which now stands in a charging stance. The personified blue horse’s shield highlights FDU’s location in Northern New Jersey, while its mane is covered in battle gear. [1]
For the Knights, this marked the first full brand change since 2004. FDU made the switch to a transitionary identity in the 2020-21 academic year. [1]
Prior to the 2023 redesign, the Knights’ identity had evolved through several distinct phases. A logo introduced in the mid-1990s featured a chess knight figure, a design choice made to create a mark distinctive from Rutgers University, whose mascot is also the Knights. That logo was unveiled at a press conference in September 1995. [2] In prior years, FDU athletic teams wore Columbia blue and navy blue. [2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The 2023 identity incorporates multiple references to the university’s geography and history. The flame-bladed sword references the Hackensack River, while the split white-and-blue sword represents the two municipalities, Teaneck and Hackensack, that host the Metropolitan campus. The castle-like handle design pays homage to Iviswold, the castle on FDU’s former Rutherford campus. [1]
Typography and Design
Nick Irwin of VPCo. served as the project lead for the redesign. The font that makes up the tall “FDU” letters uses straight characters and sharp edges, intended to represent both the iconic roof of the Rothman Center and battle armor. The same font suite is used for the new Knights’ wordmark. [1]
The redesign process involved several working sessions comprised of Department staff, campus community members, current and former student-athletes and University leadership. [1]
FDU’s official athletic colors are burgundy and blue. The burgundy is specified as Pantone 2042C with RGB values 114, 41, 60, and the blue as Pantone 2380C with RGB values 40, 51, 74. [3]
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