The Eastern Washington Eagles logo features a fierce red eagle head in profile, representing the competitive spirit of EWU’s athletic programs in Cheney, Washington, competing in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference.
Meaning and Symbolism
- The deep crimson red (#a10022) represents passion, strength, and the fighting spirit of Eastern Washington’s student-athletes across 12 varsity sports
- The eagle symbol embodies power, vision, and dominance, qualities essential to EWU’s nationally competitive football program that won the FCS national championship in 2010
- The aggressive profile stance with sharp beak and intense eye conveys determination and the predatory excellence expected in Big Sky Conference competition
- The streamlined design allows for clear recognition on helmets, uniforms, and the distinctive red turf at Roos Field, one of only a few colored playing surfaces in college football
- The abstract yet recognizable eagle head balances tradition with modern athletic branding, appealing to recruits and alumni alike
History and Evolution
Eastern Washington University’s athletic teams have been known as the Eagles since the early 1970s, when the school transitioned from a teachers college to a comprehensive university. The institution itself was founded in 1882 as Benjamin P. Cheney Academy, becoming Eastern Washington State Normal School in 1890 and eventually earning university status in 1977. The Eagles compete in the Big Sky Conference across five men’s sports (basketball, cross country, football, tennis, track and field) and seven women’s sports (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball).
The football program gained national prominence in 2010 when the Eagles, led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and head coach Beau Baldwin, won the FCS national championship by defeating Delaware 20-19 in the title game. That same year, EWU installed its iconic red turf at Roos Field, creating one of the most visually distinctive home-field advantages in college sports. The bright red surface, matching the school’s primary color, became instantly recognizable on ESPN broadcasts and social media.
The current eagle logo emerged in the 2000s as part of a broader athletics branding initiative to create a more aggressive, marketable identity. The streamlined eagle head replaced earlier iterations that featured more detailed feather work, prioritizing boldness and reproduction clarity across digital and physical media. The logo has become synonymous with the “Red Turf” and the Eagles’ reputation for producing NFL talent despite their FCS status, including Pro Bowl players like Cooper Kupp and Mitchell, who won three Grey Cups in the Canadian Football League.
Typography and Design
The Eagles wordmark typically uses a bold, condensed sans-serif typeface with strong vertical strokes, creating visual power and athletic energy. The letterforms often feature sharp angles and tapered elements that echo the aggressive stance of the eagle logo itself. This typographic approach ensures the brand remains modern and competitive alongside Power Five conference schools during televised games and March Madness appearances.
The crimson red serves as the university’s primary athletic color, consistently applied across all sports and facilities. The single-color approach creates striking simplicity, particularly effective on the red turf where the logo appears in white or gray for contrast. The color’s intensity photographs well under stadium lights and maintains visibility in outdoor environments from the Inland Northwest’s bright summers to grey winters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Eastern Washington Eagles logo? The current eagle head logo was developed in the early 2000s through a collaboration between EWU’s athletics department and a branding firm, though specific designer credits are not publicly documented. The design prioritized aggression and clarity for television broadcasts.
When was the Eastern Washington Eagles logo last updated? The core eagle head design has remained largely unchanged since approximately 2005, with minor refinements for digital applications. The installation of the red turf at Roos Field in 2010 increased the logo’s prominence and national recognition.
What do the colors in the Eastern Washington Eagles logo represent? The crimson red represents the passion, power, and pride of Eastern Washington University, creating a distinctive identity reinforced by the famous red turf. The color also honors the school’s geographic location in the red rock and clay regions of eastern Washington state.
