The UBC Thunderbirds are the varsity athletic teams of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The team’s visual identity is built around the Thunderbird, a powerful mythological creature from Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures, and the university’s official colors of blue and gold.
Design and History
The Thunderbirds name was selected in January 1934 by the Ubyssey and Pep Club after a student vote for a new team nickname produced the write-in winner “Seagulls,” which was rejected. The name was chosen based on its connection to various British Columbia Indigenous cultures, though initially without input or consent from any nation.[1][2]
On Oct. 30, 1948, at halftime of the homecoming football game, carver Ellen Neel of Alert Bay and Chief William Scow, hereditary chief of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, presented a 16-foot Thunderbird totem pole to the university. Under tribal laws and customs, this dedication legally entitled UBC and its varsity teams to use the Thunderbird name and symbol for the first time.[1] The phrase “Victory Through Honour” came out of this 1948 ceremony.[3]
The current primary logo consists of a bird head design above the letters “UBC” and the word “THUNDERBIRDS,” according to the official trademark registration held by the University of British Columbia.[4]
In March 2023, UBC’s Athletics and Recreation department unveiled a new piece of Musqueam artwork titled “Thunderbird Takes Flight,” drawn by Musqueam emerging artist Deanna-Marie Point. The artwork debuted on one of the 12-foot walls at UBC’s Storm the Wall event. It was described as the first official Musqueam representation of the Thunderbird at UBC, with the design incorporating Coast Salish drawing elements throughout the bird’s form while using UBC’s colors.[5] Kavie Toor, managing director of athletics and recreation, stated the artwork’s use would be reserved for specific occasions, with cues provided for people to learn about the artwork and Musqueam.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The Thunderbird is a high-ranking, mythical, powerful creature indigenous to the West Coast, under whose protection come brotherhood, peace and goodwill.[1] UBC’s brand guidelines state that the Thunderbirds symbol “symbolizes the relationship between UBC and the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territory UBC resides.”[3]
The 1948 gifting included a customized legend of the Thunderbird for UBC, based on the Kwikwasut’inuxw story of the five tests of Tsikumayi. In this version, the Thunderbird sits above all other animals on the totem pole, representing ideals of honour, respect, integrity and excellence.[2]
Regarding the 2023 Musqueam artwork, artist Deanna-Marie Point explained that the Coast Salish drawing style represents the Musqueam people, while the colors represent UBC and the animal itself is the Thunderbird.[5]
Typography and Design
The primary logo’s wordmark includes the letters “UBC” with the word “THUNDERBIRDS” beneath a bird head design, as described in the official U.S. trademark registration.[4] The university’s official colors for athletics are blue and gold, which have been associated with UBC teams since before the Thunderbirds name was adopted, when teams were known as the “Blue and Gold.”[1]
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