The Howard Bison logo features a stylized bison head in navy, gray, and white representing 19 varsity athletic teams at Howard University in Washington, D.C., founded in 1867 as a historically Black university competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA Division I.
Meaning and Symbolism
- Navy blue (#003a63) represents academic excellence, institutional tradition, and the historical significance of Howard University as a premier HBCU founded after the Civil War.
- Gray (#6b818d) provides modern sophistication and balance, creating visual depth in the bison illustration while maintaining professional athletic aesthetics.
- The American bison symbolizes strength, resilience, and determination, reflecting Howard’s role in African American higher education and civil rights history.
- Abstract styling modernizes the athletic identity while honoring the university’s legacy producing leaders including Thurgood Marshall, Kamala Harris, and Chadwick Boseman.
- The three-color palette creates versatility across uniforms, court designs, and the 2,700-seat Burr Gymnasium where Bison basketball competes.
History and Evolution
Howard University was founded in 1867 by General Oliver Otis Howard, commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau, becoming one of America’s most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities. The athletic programs adopted the Bison nickname in the early 20th century, replacing earlier monikers. Howard achieved national prominence across multiple sports, particularly in football and basketball, while serving as a launching pad for civil rights leaders and professional athletes.
The university’s athletics department competed as an NCAA Division I independent before joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 1970 alongside other HBCUs including Hampton, North Carolina A&T, and Florida A&M. Howard unveiled modernized logos on July 16, 2015, updating the bison illustration with contemporary styling while preserving navy and gray colors. Notable Howard athletes include NBA players Larry Stewart and Steve Hamilton, NFL players Willie Gault and Gary Clark, and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Young. The athletic programs compete at Burr Gymnasium for basketball, Greene Stadium for football, and various campus facilities serving approximately 400 student-athletes across 19 varsity sports.
Typography and Design
The Howard Bison logo features a dynamic, stylized bison head rendered in geometric shapes that create contemporary athletic branding aesthetics. The navy blue (#003a63) forms the primary silhouette while gray (#6b818d) provides shading and dimensional depth, creating powerful visual presence on white backgrounds or reversed applications. The bison’s forward-facing orientation conveys strength and determination, appropriate for competitive athletics while reinforcing the university’s historic role in African American achievement. Modern implementations balance traditional HBCU athletic identity with contemporary design trends embraced by NCAA Division I programs, ensuring Howard’s visual competitiveness alongside conference opponents and nationally televised tournament appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Howard Bison logo? The 2015 logo redesign was developed through Howard University’s athletics department, likely in partnership with Nike as the school’s apparel provider, though specific designer attribution has not been widely publicized.
When was the Howard Bison logo last updated? The most recent major redesign occurred on July 16, 2015, when the athletics department unveiled modernized logos across all varsity sports, updating the bison illustration while preserving Howard’s traditional navy and gray colors.
What conference do the Howard Bison compete in? Howard competes primarily in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) at the NCAA Division I level, alongside other historically Black colleges and universities, with football competing in a separate division classification.
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