IU gets true colors

The only place you could find cream and crimson at IU in recent history were in the University's fight song, but Athletics Director Michael McNeely has proven in his short seven-month tenure that he's looking to rebuild tradition and pride within the IU community. \nIn January, the athletics department announced plans to revamp its red-and-white look back to vintage cream and crimson, colors that are mentioned in IU's fight song and have represented IU in the past. \nThe change is an effort to define IU spirit and unify the University and the athletics teams, McNeely said. \n"We have consistency in the way that we represent ourselves. It doesn't mean that there is radical change. In fact, the reality is that some changes will be ever-so-subtle people wouldn't even notice a difference," McNeely said. "What we are talking about here -- and the big picture -- is Indiana representing themselves consistently. The way we look in terms of our colors and the logo that we use, that's really what the question is.\n"It's not about a radical change at all."\nThe decision to unify the logo, colors and mascot came at the beginning of the fall semester. The athletics department wanted to narrow the broad range of reds and whites associated with IU. Currently, each athletics team sports a different look and logo. \n"We need to be proud of who we are, know who we are," McNeely said. "And it should be clear that when people see us…that's Indiana."\nThe timeline for the new logo, mascot and colors is expected to be finished by May, but a definition of an icon could be established earlier. \nThe project has been broken down into three phases, the third phase ending in May if the department feels that its goals have been met. \nThe first phase consists of the redefinition of the logo and colors. The second phase begins with the development of an icon, and the final phase will be the introduction of a mascot. \nThe mascot will possess the characteristics of a Hoosier that adults and children can identify with. \nThe process of reconstructing the exterior look of IU has involved focus groups and the hiring of Michael Osborne Designs, a design company overseeing the project. \nThe focus groups included numerous people from the IU community, ranging from students and professors to alumni and Bloomington residents. \nMary Ann Rohleder, associate athletics director for marketing, said the focus groups were brought together for the department to get an idea about what the community feels are the characteristics of a Hoosier and what would be appropriate representation of the IU spirit.\n"For the most part the focus groups were responsive to the plans, and they all agreed the logo was a good identifier for IU," Rohleder said. "(Focus groups) agree that a mascot is a great idea and they were enthusiastic about it, but it's hard when we don't have anything concrete yet."\nThe major changes at IU will consist of new uniforms for many sports and changing of logos on University facilities. Rohleder said the cost of new uniforms for each varsity team will be taken from the sport's individual budgets. Each team budget allots annual funds for uniforms, although not all teams replace them on an annual basis. \nThe student body reacted to the change with mixed emotions. Some supported the decision, and others spoke out against the changes. Many students expressed their thoughts on the topic during the men's basketball game against Louisville Feb. 9. \nThe game was televised by CBS, and five IU students held up a Go Big Red sign with Red crossed out and replaced with Crimson. Senior Kim Flesher said the sign was one way to get on television because of their good seats, but they also wanted to prove a point.\n"I think that it will be hard for the athletic department to change the colors," Flesher said. "IU has been red and white forever, and we wear those colors all the time. I think it will be hard for everyone to jump into the cream and crimson. I don't think that it's a bad thing, and I think it will be interesting to see how the students react to it.\n"There are a lot of teams in the Big Ten who are red and white, and I think that the change will make us stand out, which is a good thing."\nSports Editor Sarah Meinecke contributed to this story.