Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, fields its athletic teams as the Rogers State Hillcats. The university’s branding page lists an “Athletics Primary” logo and a separate “Hillcat Head” mark among its approved logo options, with the Hillcat head also used by athletics employees in email signatures.[1][2] The athletics department was established in 2005, and the Hillcat identity was developed in the same year.[3]
Design and History
The Hillcat name was conceived independently by a group of RSU students in spring 2005 and approved by the University Mascot Committee, Student Government Association, president, and administration. The mascot was developed and officially unveiled to campus in 2005 by the university’s Office of Public Relations with the assistance of SME Branding of New York.[4][5]
The Hillcat is described as a fictitious cousin of the bobcat, which is indigenous to northeast Oklahoma. The name also draws from College Hill, the traditional nickname for the hilltop campus overlooking Claremore.[4] The university’s official mascot, Hunter the Hillcat, is a blue and red animal that provides visual identity for athletic, student activities, and school spirit programs.[4]
A 2026 trademark filing for “RSU HILLCATS” describes the mark as consisting of a stylized wild cat head shown facing right with an open mouth, positioned to the left of “RSU” above “HILLCATS.”[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The Hillcat identity merges two local references: the bobcat native to northeast Oklahoma and the university’s location atop College Hill, a large hill on the west side of Claremore where the institution has been situated since its founding in 1909.[4] The university describes the Hillcat as embodying the enthusiastic, determined, and bold spirit of its athletic programs.[4]
Typography and Design
The university’s official institutional colors are Blue (primary) and Red (secondary). The specified PMS values are 289C for blue and 200C for red, with corresponding hex values of #0C2340 and #BA0C2F. The university states that variations in shade or PMS color are not permitted.[1] All RSU logos must appear using these official school colors, and the primary logo should be used whenever possible.[1]
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