New Big Sky Conference Logo Unveiled

The new Big Sky Conference logo was unveiled this week, and my response to this much-anticipated redesign was overwhelmingly... meh.

With all of the hype leading up to the big reveal, I guess I was expecting the “wow” factor to pack a little more punch.

I mean, it’s not terrible — the colors are nice, it’s clean, and it’s easy to read. I also think it’s cool that each school will have its own version of the logo — created using school colors — to display on its uniforms.

But for something that is the product of a yearlong rebranding process, I find the graphic a bit boring. According to a press release from the Big Sky Conference, the logo — which features an asymmetrical design in which the words “Big Sky” get taller from left to right — is meant to symbolize opportunity and optimism.

Um, OK.

In my opinion, it comes off as kind of generic — like something you would see printed on a T-shirt at Old Navy. There’s no heart, no soul, nothing that speaks to the conference’s roots or tradition.

There have been a lot of comments about the new logo in the social media sphere, ranging in tone from positive to scathingly critical. “Bland,” “lame,” “ugly,” and “my dog could have designed this” are just a few of the words Facebook users have used to express their opinions on the subject.

Of course, it’s hard to please everyone, and the team that came up with the logo probably did their best to consider all 11 full members (and two football-only members) in the conference, which range from The University of Montana, to Southern Utah University, to Sacramento State.

Plus, I think most Griz fans would agree with me when I say that a changed logo doesn’t change the fact that UM’s sports teams are going to kick some butt in the BSC this year.

Brooke is a 2010 graduate of The University of Montana, where she ran track and cross country for the Grizzlies. She is currently working as a writer and editor in Missoula.