Old Dominion University Logos

There have been a number of logos throughout the history of Old Dominion University (ODU). The current logo, which features a crown with the words Old Dominion University below it, has been the official logo of ODU since 2018.

Official Logos

William & Mary Coat of Arms, 1930-1960

While ODU was know as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, the College of William & Mary Coat of Arms, which was originally issued in 1694 by the College of Arms in London, England, was used as the official logo of the Norfolk Division. The coat of arms features college buildings in silver on a green field with a golden sun at half orb against a blue sky. While there were two earlier versions of the coat of arms, one used from 1694 to 1783 and another from 1783 to 1929, the version used by the Norfolk Division was the one that was developed in the 1920s.

Norfolk College of the Colleges of William & Mary, 1960-1962

When the College of William & Mary created the Colleges of William & Mary system in 1960, The Norfolk Division was renamed the Norfolk College of the Colleges of William & Mary. During this time, the system developed their own logo, which featured a coat of arms with the same golden sun at half orb at the top as William & Mary’s coat of arms; the shape of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the middle; a lamp in the middle of the outline of Virginia, and the year “1960” at the bottom of the coat of arms.

Old Dominion College Coat of Arms, 1963-1969

When the institution became Old Dominion College (ODC) in 1962, one of the first orders of business was to create a logo for the college. Adopted in 1963, the the seal incorporates the history and origin of Virginia. The central portion of the seal is a modified version of the royal arms of the Stuarts, the ruling family of England during the 17th century. Inside the large shield are the four shields of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, the four dominions claimed by British sovereigns from the 1420s until 1801. From the top left, repeated on the first and fourth quadrants, which are also divided into fourths, are the three leopards of England in the second and third quarters and three fluers-de-lis of France in the first and fourth quarters. The second quadrant of the central shield depicts the lion rampant of Scotland, and the third quadrant depicts the harp of Ireland. Over the center of the cross is the coat of arms of the College of William & Mary, granted by the College of Heralds in England in 1694, indicating Old Dominion’s origins as a division of that institution. Surrounding the shield were the words “Old Dominion College” at the top and the year of its founding, 1930, at the bottom. Colors in the seal are light azure or sky blue, carmine red, mustard yellow, emerald green, and ultramarine. The lettering is a Helvetica regular typeface.

Old Dominion College (ODC) Logo, 1963-1969

In 1963, an additional logo was created to use on official Old Dominion letterhead with the words “Old Dominion College” and the letters “ODC” in blue with all three letters intersecting one another. The logo was used simultaneously with the college seal.

Old Dominion University (ODU) Seal, 1969-1974

After Old Dominion gained university status in September 1969, the ODC coat of arms was changed to include the words “university” instead of college. While the official ODU logo was changed in 1974, the seal is still sometimes used on various ODU publications such as Commencement programs.

ODU Racetrack Logo, 1974-1986

In 1974, Robert McCollough, professor of art, created a new logo to be used on letterhead, publications, etc. Referred to as the “race track logo,” the design features the letters of “ODU” in blue intersecting one another, similar to a race track. There was no official color for the logo, but over the years, the most common colors were Columbia (or light) blue and dark blue. The coat of arms was still used on legal and other official documents during this time.

Lion Logo, 1986-2000

In 1986, to celebrate the inauguration of Joseph M. Marchello, who was selected as president the previous year, ODU instituted a new, official logo. Often referred to as the “Food Lion” logo by students, the design featured the head of a lion with a crown on top of their head, a tongue sticking out, and a crest below it. At this time, the school colors were changed to dark blue and silver. The logo was not well received by the student population, even staging a petition to return to the previous race track logo.

Crown, Old Dominion University With “O” Inside “D” of Dominion, 1994-2009

In the mid-1990s, an alternative to the lion logo was used on letterhead, publications, and even building signs. The logo featured a crown with “Old Dominion University” spelled out below it in dark blue. Half of the “O” in “Dominion” was placed inside the “D” of “Dominion.” This logo, along with the lion logo, overlapped for a few years in the late 1990s.

Idea Fusion Logo, 2009-2017

Initiated by President John R. Broderick in 2009, this logo features a blue crown, “Old Dominion University” spelled out, and the words “Idea Fusion” below it. Idea Fusion was to refer to the coming together of ideas that takes place at a research university.

Crown and Old Dominion University, 2018-Present

This logo features a blue crown and the words “Old Dominion University” spelled out below it.

Athletic Logos

William & Mary Norfolk Logo, 1930 to 1961

The Norfolk Division athletic teams were known as the Braves, as the Williamsburg teams were known as the Tribe. During this time, the Norfolk Division’s athletic teams sported a “W” and “M”, for William & Mary, with a “N” for Norfolk.

Mace & Crown, 1961-1971

In 1961, a committee came up with Monarchs for the athletic teams, and a new logo, featuring a crown with a mace going through it, debuted shortly afterwards. The crown referenced Old Dominion’s ties to William & Mary, and the mace referred to the Norfolk Mace, which was given to Norfolk in 1754.

Big Blue With Crown and Old Dominion University, 1972-1985

Shortly after Big Blue debuted at a December 1971 basketball game, a new, official, athletic logo was created that featured Big Blue in the school colors wearing a crown, and the words “Old Dominion University” surrounding the lion. This logo was used interchangeably with Big Blue in various athletics uniforms.

Big Blue in Various Athletic Uniforms, 1976-1986

In addition to the official athletic logo, more logos featuring Big Blue in various athletic uniforms, such as basketball, wrestling, and soccer, appeared.

Lion Logo with Monarchs, 1986-2002

At the same time as the official Lion logo was established, a new athletics logo, which featured the original logo with the words “Old Dominion University Monarchs” surrounding it, took hold.

Big Blue and Other Logo Redesigns, 2002-Present

In 2002, shortly after the inauguration of Roseann Runte as president, several athletics logos were unveiled. The designs include Big Blue with a crown swatting at something; the letters “ODU” with a crown on top; Big Blue inside a silver shield; and a crown with “Old Dominion University” below it.

Resources

1. Old Dominion University Photographic and Multimedia Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
2. Intercollegiate Athletics Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

References

1. Intercollegiate Athletics Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
2. Mace & Crown, Old Dominion University
3. Office of the President. Lewis W. Webb, Jr. Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University