Redbird logo receives fresh look         

[JULY 2, 2005]  NORMAL -- In just 30 days on the job, Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger has brought a new level of energy to the athletics department, and on Friday he had the opportunity to unveil the enhanced Illinois State athletic logo, also revitalized with energy and punch.

Even though Zenger introduced the Redbirds' new look, the redesign, spearheaded by Associate Athletics Director Leanna Bordner, had been in process for nearly a year.

"We have had the updated look for our logo in the works for some time," Bordner said. "We wanted to freshen up the mark and present more action in our logo. By all means, this doesn't replace the old mark. We are very pleased with the original Redbird logo and the identity it has given our department. However, we do want to constantly rebuild the standards of the logo and continue to keep it up-to-date."

The updated version, which was designed by Eric Rickabaugh of Rickabaugh Graphics, will complement the previously designed Redbird head mark and provide versatility. Rickabaugh Graphics, which is located in Gahanna, Ohio, has designed sports logos for the Philadelphia 76ers, Ohio State, Seton Hall, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Providence, Xavier and Dayton.

The original Redbird head was unveiled on Jan. 20, 1996, and was designed by Chris Henwood, a graphics artist at JanSport Inc. in Appleton, Wis.

Like the original logo, the new mark is a registered trademark and may not be used for any purpose without permission of the university or athletics department.

[Todd Kober, Illinois State University]

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