{"id":2185,"date":"2023-12-06T11:29:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T16:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/?p=2185"},"modified":"2025-06-03T15:08:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T19:08:57","slug":"old-dominion-university-logos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/2023\/12\/06\/old-dominion-university-logos\/","title":{"rendered":"Old Dominion University Logos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

Official Logos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

William & Mary Coat of Arms, 1930-1960<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"William<\/a>
William & Mary Coat of Arms, 1930<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

While ODU was know as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norfolk College of the Colleges of William & Mary, 1960-1962<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"Norfolk<\/a>
Colleges of William and Mary Logo, 1960<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When the College of William & Mary created the Colleges of William & Mary system in 1960, The Norfolk Division was renamed <\/strong>the Norfolk College of the Colleges of William & Mary<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Dominion College Coat of Arms, 1963-1969<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Old Dominion College Seal, 1963<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When the institution became Old Dominion College<\/a> (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\u2019s origins as a division of that institution. Surrounding the shield were the words \u201cOld Dominion College\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old Dominion College (ODC) Logo, 1963-1969<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Old<\/a>
Old Dominion University Seal, 1974<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Old Dominion University (ODU) Seal, 1969-1974<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ODU Racetrack Logo, 1974-1986<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"ODU<\/a>
ODU Race Track Logo, 1980<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"ODU<\/a>
ODU Lion Logo, 1989<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lion Logo, 1986-2000<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 1986, to celebrate the inauguration of Joseph M. Marchello<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Old<\/a>
Old Dominion With Crown, 2005<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Crown, Old Dominion University With “O” Inside “D” of Dominion, 1994-2009<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Idea<\/a>
Idea Fusion Logo, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Idea Fusion Logo, 2009-2017<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Initiated by President John R. Broderick<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Old<\/a>
Old Dominion With Crown, 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Crown and Old Dominion University, 2018-Present<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This logo features a blue crown and the words “Old Dominion University” spelled out below it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, 2024-Present<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When Eastern State Medical School (EVMS) merged with ODU to become Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University on July 1, 2024, a new logo was created for the school. The logo features the ODU crown in blue and silver, a medical caduceas in the middle of the crown, and “Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University” to the right of the crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Athletic Logos<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"William<\/a>
William & Mary Norfolk Athletics Logo, 1950s<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

William & Mary Norfolk Logo, 1930 to 1961<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Norfolk Division athletic teams were known as the Braves, as the Williamsburg teams were known as the Indians. During this time, the Norfolk Division’s athletic teams sported a “W” and “M”, for William & Mary, with a “N” for Norfolk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mace & Crown, 1961-1971<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"Mace<\/a>
Mace and Crown Athletics Logo, 1962<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Athletics<\/a>
Athletics Logo, 1981<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Big Blue With Crown and Old Dominion University, 1972-1985<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Big<\/a>
Big Blue in Basketball Shorts, 1980<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Big Blue in Various Athletic Uniforms, 1976-1986<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Lion<\/a>
Lion Athletics Logo, 1989<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lion Logo with Monarchs, 1986-2002<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Blue and Other Logo Redesigns, 2002-Present<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2002, shortly after the inauguration of Roseann Runte<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Old<\/a>
Old Dominion University Athletics Logo, 2002<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\"ODU<\/a>
ODU With Crown Athletics Logo, 2002<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Big<\/a>
Big Blue With Shield Athletics Logo, 2002<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Big<\/a>
Big Blue Athletics Logo, 2002<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Old Dominion University Photographic and Multimedia Collection<\/a>, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Intercollegiate Athletics Records<\/a>, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Intercollegiate Athletics Records<\/a>, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Mace & Crown<\/em>, Old Dominion University<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Office of the President. Lewis W. Webb, Jr. Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      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… read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":878,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"status","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":3},"categories":[3,5,11],"tags":[24,38,513,512,106,58,14,125,18,74],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/878"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2185"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2527,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185\/revisions\/2527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/oduwiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}