Sure, you can find the Flying WV logo on uniforms and countless products, but the famous logo can easily be spotted worldwide and is admired by WVU and non WVU fans for its sleekness and versatility.
Debuting on September 6, 1980 with the opening of New Mountaineer Field, a new coach roamed the West Virginia sideline and embarked on a Hall of Fame career. Don Nehlen would take West Virginia football to new heights never seen before and with him on the sidelines was the newly created Flying WV.
Acknowledging the rising popularity of the logo, other athletic teams began to adopt it in the following years. The University adopted it as the official school logo in 1985.
To an entire state, the Flying WV represents a symbol of pride as the University is the state’s land grant institution, and the Mountaineers are West Virginia’s team.
Created in 1980, the Flying WV logo was inspired by and is a fitting tribute to the beautiful mountains of the state of West Virginia. The combination of a “W” and a “V” flowing in a progressive, yet strong pattern was immediately distinctive and is now recognized as one of the strongest collegiate logos in the world. It not only represents WVU Athletics, but West Virginia University as a whole.
When it comes to communicating the West Virginia University Athletics brand, color is quintessential. The following color configurations show how West Virginia’s primary and secondary colors can be expanded analogously to build harmonious color palettes and complementary pairings. Color is one of the most important elements of the West Virginia identity system.
The colors were adopted by the school’s upperclassmen in 1890, according to West Virginia University: A Pictorial History, 1867-1979. The color choices were taken from the West Virginia state seal. Additionally, the words “gold and blue” are sung in the first verse of HAIL WEST VIRGINIA.
1. Gold
2. Blue
3. Dark Steel Grey
4. Anthracite
Type tells a story. The right typeface, used consistently, builds character. The Mountaineers font fuses modern foundational forms with universal functionality. To assist in creating a consistent look for a wide variety of athletics communications, a custom display typeface and numeral set has been designed as an enhancement to the overall identity.
Strong block typography is an essential component of the West Virginia Athletics heritage. It speaks to the no-nonsense, hardworking nature of players, coaches and fans.
Wordmarks create a consistent and memorable identity. They create personalities and bring life to the brand. A versatile wordmark can make the difference between an ordinary look and a great look. West Virginia’s wordmarks stay consistent with the school’s overall identity, carrying through characteristics such as pride, strength and work ethic. Mountaineers are united and stand together. The wordmarks created through the Nike Global Identity Group process bring that unity front and center.