The Daily Orange

New SU logo designed by Nike

The era of the Orange has begun.

Following Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel's announcement in May, Syracuse athletic teams returned this fall with a new identity: no more Orangemen and Orangewomen, no more varying logos on uniforms and apparel, no more conflicting hues of blue and orange.

Syracuse will enter the 2004-05 school year simply as the Orange, with all teams sharing a new Nike-designed "SU" logo with interlocking letters and a matching color scheme.

"The reason for the changes is to create a new brand: Orange," Crouthamel said. "Getting one orange color and one blue color and one logo to represent 21 teams and the university was very important."

The landmark decision has split Syracuse followers in two since its announcement over three months ago. A large backlash has swelled over the nickname change, in particular, evidenced by a growing Internet petition calling for a return of the Orangemen and Orangewomen.

The "Keep 'Orangemen' and 'Orangewomen'!" petition addressed to the athletic department contains 5,018 total signatures telling the department "that any change to (the) nicknames - even to 'Orange' - would cause irreparable harm to (their) allegiance, loyalty, passion and support for Syracuse University and its athletic teams."

Patrick Magnuson, who graduated from Syracuse in 2000 and once served on SU's Athletic Policy Board, was one of the first people to sign the petition.

He said that while he encourages the logo and color changes, he disagrees with the new nicknames.

"One logo and color throughout all teams is all well and good," Magnuson said. "But I'm not aware of any real need to change Orangemen and women. It just seems like common sense. It's a lot more descriptive than just Orange."

The petition has caught the attention of Crouthamel and his department.

In response to the protest, Crouthamel said he respects the signatories' efforts but that the petition will not affect the department's decision in any way. He also said that fans aren't forced to call the athletic teams by the new Orange nickname if they do not choose to do so.

Magnuson thinks the issue runs deeper than just a few aesthetic modifications.

Making such changes without consulting students or alumni made the alumnus question what the Syracuse administration might do next.

"I think students and alumni really need to keep a close eye on what's going on," Magnuson said, "or else we could all turn around one day and see SU (become) a totally different place."

Continued...

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