The University of Utah has decided to change its logo.
Last week, the university announced that it was shifting from its signature block U logo to a new emblem featuring two red interlocking Us, with the school’s name spelled out below it.
“This logo refresh is part of our journey to be a top-10 public university because we are expecting to have a national and global reputation,” Utah Chief Experience Officer Andrea Thomas said in a news release. “As we share this new logo across the country, it won’t feel dramatically different because we have been very visible in athletics. This image better aligns with the awareness we already have.”
That didn’t stop some speculation and concern about what the Utes might look like on the field.
According to a Ute athletics spokesperson, however, “the logo change will have no effect on athletics logos.”
The Utes currently use two logos for their athletic programs, their primary being the interlocking U symbol established in 2015 and their secondary being the circle and feather logo unveiled in the 1970s and synonymous with the Ute Indian Tribe.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes wear specially designed helmets during the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
In 2024, the Utes football team wore each logo on its helmet six times.
In their first six contests, the Utes donned the circle and feather logo five times. In the latter half of Utah’s 2024 season, the circle and feather logo was only used once in the Utes’ road contest against Houston.
