MARQUETTE – Wednesday’s unveiling of new logos for both Northern Michigan University and the athletic department in a small way has ushered in a new era for the Wildcats sports teams.

The process began about a year and a half ago and the logo was completed on March 9, according to NMU athletic director Forrest Karr.

“There was a formal bid process and a committee selected Rickabaugh Graphics,” Karr said. “Staff at Rickabaugh designed preliminary logo options.

“Several of these concepts were eliminated by a different committee and the remaining options were presented to focus groups for feedback.

“One initial concept was the clear favorite. I presented this potential logo to various additional groups, including fans, alums, students, university employees and community members and gathered suggestions for changes. Experts at Learfield Licensing Partners also provided input.”

Karr also said that reception to the new Wildcat logo has been positive so far from the people he has spoken to.

He also said that the logo will be added in areas that can be painted and does not cost much to update, such as center ice at the Berry Events Center and outside the main entrance to the Superior Dome.

He said that the new women’s lacrosse and men’s soccer teams will have uniforms with this logo for their upcoming 2016-17 seasons. When asked about the total cost for the logo change, Karr said that the additional costs would be minimal for the athletic department.

“We do not have funds budgeted for new logo implementation, so any money we spend in this area will come directly out of funds planned for other priorities,” Karr said. “We plan to replace things as necessary, understanding that it will take a few years to phase everything in.”

When some coaches were asked about the new logo, they were happy with it.

“I think it’s great,” Wildcats hockey coach Walt Kyle said. “I think universities in general have … to do that over time and pro sports teams have to do that over time.

“I think it’s great when you can do it and still maintain a connection to your past logo. They look very similar and there are some differences, too. I liked how they stayed connected to (our) past traditions while updating it. They did a really good job of that.

“The thing I liked about our uniforms is that the diagonal ‘Wildcats’ (on the jersey front) hasn’t changed and that’s kind of Northern hockey. We’ve kept that while adapting around it. I like that.

“When you look at Michigan football or Michigan State, they’ve found a way to keep their logo even though they’ve worked around it. Just like what we’ve done, so I think it’s great.”

Wildcats men’s basketball coach Bill Sall had similar feelings about the new logo.

“I think it’s a nice fresh look,” he said. “I think you get the publicity of a new look and certainly we are going to do it over time.

“For what they came up with, and I know it was a lot of work for a lot of different people, I think the changes are real positive. As we move forward, I hope that the community and everyone else feels the same thing.

“‘Modernized’ is the right way to put it. You run into risk when you do a complete 180 degrees in a different direction. I think what we did is updated without taking the core of what the Wildcat looks like.”

NMU women’s basketball coach Troy Mattson has gotten used to the old logo during his years at the school, but is embracing the new one.

“There’s nothing wrong with change,” he said. “The university wants to go in a different direction and it’s an exciting new time for everybody. Obviously for me, it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment.

“I’ve had to see it over the past month or so and it looks great. I think it’ll be a new addition.”

The new logo could also give the hockey team as well as others a chance to develop a third jersey, which is something that team staff has been talking about for a number of years.

As far as Karr’s feelings about the logo, he’s just happy with how the process went.

“I am relieved that this project turned out well,” he said. “It will help us continue to attract quality students to the university.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.