Athletics dept. deserves faith in logo change

Since this was discovered by an MSU fan last week many other MSU fans have reacted as if there was no tomorrow. Apparently, those who oppose this logo, at least without knowing all the details, have forgotten many important aspects.

First, Mark Hollis is a Spartan. He is an MSU grad in his true dream job. He really has passion for his alma mater and wants the best for MSU.

Second, Hollis is famous for his marketing moves, many of them which have been present long before he was named AD in 2007. Two examples are the Coldwar and the Basketbowl. Hollis really knows what he’s doing.

Third, his leadership and vision have made him one of the best AD’s in MSU history in the short period he has been there. Furthermore, today MSU has one of the best Athletic Departments in the nation and that is reflected in the stability and improvement of the revenue and non-revenue sports, as well as the resources, like better facilities (new football building; new soccer, baseball and softball fields; additions to the Smith Center and to Spartan Stadium; etc) that are available to the athletes.

Fourth, in terms of the logo, there is no change of logo but an evolution of the Spartan logo. This is a more fresh and established version of the logo. After all, the Spartan logo is never used officially to represent the University. The “S” block is the one used by the University, in TV (ESPN, ABC, CBS, Big Ten Network, etc.) Yes, represents MSU but it is more of a logo of the Athletic Department and, although recognizable, it is not the main logo.

Fifth, going back to Hollis’ statement, the whole concept will be revealed in April so there are many things we don’t know. Actually, we don’t know anything besides that they have registered a new logo. This could be a one-time event, a one-year event… we don’t know anything.

Sixth, in the same vein as the last point, we also don’t know the financial circumstances regarding this announcement. Maybe MSU will get more money from Nike. There are many financial aspects that we are not considering that could benefit our MSU.

As these six aspects here I could go forever because, essentially, we don’t know anything about this. We only know about the logo. Besides that the only thing around are rumors about what could be. Finally, until April the Spartan Nation should only remember the passion that Hollis has for his alma mater and the great status of the Athletic Department. In the same way, Michigan State University has been changing and adjusting to be in the cutting edge and ready to develop MSU as, not only one solid brand, but the alma mater that makes everybody proud and strives for excellence.

GO GREEN!!! GO WHITE!!!

Changes happen, I understand that. But this logo is not a good change. The new logo may be part of a large plan, but that plan will not also be seen. It will just be that logo that represents us. The logo is over designed and looks like we were more worried about nike’s money than our tradition. Nike has been great for this university, and I thank them for their contributions, but this has crossed the line. No good will come of this change. I hope Hollis hears this outcry and reconsiders before things are official.

Your arguments all make sense, but they ignore the most important point about a rebranding. The new logo is UGLY. It’s a terrible redesign on something that was already pretty nice.

This argument makes no sense. Sorry. Waiting until they unveil the whole project will be waiting until after the point of having any possible influence over the outcome. Should we have waited until after the war in Iraq before we made any judgement calls of whether or not we should have went to war? Heck no, but that is exactly what many people did. Obviously this logo is trivial compared to a war, but the logic is similar. Do not wait until it is too late to question an authority.

Certain schools have kept modifying their logos and uniforms to a minimum over the years, and many of those schools are the best and most well known in the sport, such as Penn State. I would like to see MiSt develop that kind of tradition. And keeping our Sparty head is one progressive step in that direction

This is no better than the lions changing to their new godawful logo, or the pistons during the teal era.

The situation on the ground in Haiti looks better than this new design.

“Nike has been very good to this university”

How exactly? Remember, the athletic department is a separate business entity. Giving to the athletic department is not the same as giving to the university.

While I understand your argument, I still vehemently disagree. This isn’t the same as other Hollis projects, like the BasketBowl or the Cold War like you said. This is effectively changing a long-standing Spartan tradition, a symbol of our university. It is just introducing something new, it is changing part of our tradition and identity.

You mention the fact that we should withhold judgement until we see the whole package. I disagree. If this one change is just a small part of a larger overhaul, I think Hollis & Co. had better brace themselves for an uprising.

You are a corporate tool. Bottom line, the new logo is ugly, I don’t need to see the entire project to pass judgment. MSU should fire whoever came up with this idea.

Your an idiot. Yeah, everyone should sit back quietly and allow our AD and Nike to design and implement a new logo FOR US? How about some inclusion and openess during this process, how about understanding how much emotion, money and time we’ve all spent at this university. That logo is a symbol of our education, not just a sticker on a helmet. Understand this and it’s easy to see why over 17k people have joined the facebook group.

I am curious as to how much this entire “transformation” is costing the University. It seems like any amount may be too much in such difficult times where educational programs are being cut and tuition costs are being increased.

Yeah, at first I hated the new logo. It isn’t the symbol we’re used to backing. But stop thinking negatively for just a bit and maybe you’ll get to liking the new logo. I don’t think it’s all that bad anymore.

Just as long as they don’t change Sparty…

I don’t really care what planning is behind the logo.

It is ugly and looks like little effort went into it.

I don’t care what the backstory is for it.

I’m calling it now: they’re changing the “S” in April too.

Google logo’s for Florida, Texas, Michigan etc. Progress means change….

I love the “Sparty On” poster.

“Your an idiot”

Anything funnier than calling someone an idiot while simultaneously failing to display proper use of grammar?

I mean… the you’re/your thing was taught in 2nd grade. At the latest.

Everyone here that cannot express their opinions intelligently should just shut up and do what I say.

Nike has been very good to the university? Explain that to me? Last time I checked Michigan State’s partnership with Nike has not given me any benefits? If Nike was really that “good to the university” they should have considered taking polls with students and asking for input on some of these changes. The 40,000 students who are actually the ones paying tuition and will be wearing these logos should be the ones helping decide what they do or do not want. And furthermore this argument about how tradition doesn’t mean opposing change; when was the last time you saw USC change it’s logo? Has anyone messed with U of M’s block M? All I’m saying is don’t fix what isn’t broken. Why is the university so quick to change one of the best logos in college history? I say they need to listen to the students, alumni, the people who this actually affects, and the overwhelming majority feels the same way I do, LEAVE OUR LOGO ALONE.

Are we changing from the Spartans to the flying elephants? The new logo is ugly. It looks like a winged elephant. I don’t care who’s idea it was or what plan it is part of. It will be the laughing stock of the country. Is that what we want? Hey, JOEY, how much did NIKE pay you to write this article? No true spartan would look at that new logo and say, “Alright with me. Let’s see where they’re going with it.” It’s not alright. It’s a flying elephant. You can wear that garbage if you want to, but I won’t. It’s not a uniform. It’s not a football helmet. It’s the logo that represents the ENTIRE UNIVERSITY. They can change the uniforms all they want, and I won’t bat an eye. Change the logo that represents my personal stake in this university, our perfect spartan helmet, to a comic book cartoon helmet, without thinking it over enough to realize it’s a flying elephant, and now I’m pissed.

Just to be clear, Nike has been great to MSU. Perhaps not the whole student body- but definitely to MSU athletics. As a former non-revenue athlete, I can say that the non-revenue sports receive much more gear and better quality gear at no cost. Again, I get that the everyday student isn’t benefiting from Nike so I see where the complaints are coming from. But, just from an athletics perspective, Nike has been very good to MSU.

As for the logo, even as a former athlete, I could really care less, though I do see where people’s complaints are coming from. It’s not the greatest design in the world. I do know most of the athletic administration and have met Mark Hollis multiple times and to be honest- there’s no one else I’d trust more with running the athletic department at the school I love.

Change we don’t need.

A logo blog got a hold of the story: http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/angry_spartans.php

Although I agree that Mr. Hollis has brought brilliant ideas to the athletic department I don’t believe that changing the Spartan logo is one of them. Changing that logo is a far cry from adding an Aztec border on a basketball uniform. If our current logo represents, as you say, a “timeless tradition, a history of excellence and a long-standing reputation of success in the college sports arena” then we must keep with tradition and not allow it to be changed.

Have you guys really paid attention to this new logo. I am sorry. It looks like a side way view of Jay Leno with that big chin of his.
If changing the logo is part of a bigger plan, I want to know what the rest of the plan contains and what other changes are they proposing?

I like the new logo BUT… the old one is the right selection 1) Simple and elegant already 2) Already recognized across the country (good branding) 3) Changing the logo disconnects fans who where the old logo and creates discontinuity 4) New logo does not offer significant advantages. My advice? Patent the logo and sell it to another Spartan nation (a high school or small college). We already have our helmet. Go Green.

Nike is not MSU. State may benefit from the company, but Nike also benefits from universities using their equipment. They make money from MSU alumni, students, and all other non-athletes that buy the goods. If they want to sell MSU merchandise, they should be told what our logo is. Their input to what they would like to see is not welcomed. Look at oregon; what kind of identity do they have? Thanks for messing with tradition, Hollis. True Spartans do not follow the green dollar and throw out tradition, they support Green and White.

Is Nike paying him to write this article? Is someone pressuring the State News to write something supportive of this plan? These arguments are totally pointless. “Celebrate the State” series? Did nothing to change our identity. Borders on a uniform? Bet they still had the same logos within those borders. White-outs at games? That shows fan support and solidarity. Changing our logo is nothing like any of these. It’s changing the symbol that represents us as Spartans. I don’t want to have to tell someone “I went the State before they changed the logo.” That would take away a connection that I have with the university. And to those people that are saying “the new logo isn’t that bad,” I don’t care what the logo looks like, it’s the fact they want to change it that I disagree with.