Athletics

History of the Phoenix on campus

Original Phoenix
circa 1970

The Phoenix was chosen by students in May 1970 as the University mascot and emblem.

The Phoenix is a creature from the mythology of ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and India. Emerging from the ashes of its own funeral pyre, the Phoenix symbolizes rebirth or regeneration.

Analogies have been drawn between the symbol and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a university that arose during the turbulent 1960s and seeks to regenerate higher education with its innovative approach to interdisciplinary, problem-focused learning. In this design interpretation, the flame has dual significance as the flame of knowledge and of regeneration.

Birds of different feathers

Athletics Phoenix Insignia
Developed 2007

 

Institutional Phoenix Emblem,
Developed 1997

The institutional ‘Phoenix Emblem’ and the ‘Athletics Insignia’ are related, but distinct.

In summer 2007, the UW-Green Bay Office of Intercollegiate Athletics adopted as its primary visual symbol this representation of a mythical phoenix, representing pride, power and competitiveness in collegiate athletics.

Athletics had previously used the standard institutional bird – the Phoenix Emblem — on its uniforms and in its marketing/communication materials.

With the adoption of what is known as the “Athletics Insignia,” the program moved to create a distinct identity to enhance its visibility.

Only UW-Green Bay Intercollegiate Athletics is authorized to use the Athletics Insignia for identity purposes. The same is true for Athletics’ custom-designed Green Bay and Phoenix Talon Wordmarks. Others may not appropriate this trademarked art.

Generally, University offices and employees may not use the Athletics Insignias on publications or on web sites except to refer to or publicize Green Bay Athletics and Phoenix games or programs.

Please contact the Athletics department for information on their identity standards.

Use of the word ‘Phoenix’

“Phoenix” is not only a nickname for UW-Green Bay athletics. It is also an acceptable editorial reference to alumni, the student body as a whole and various University programs. The “Phoenix” in Phoenix Club, Phuture Phoenix, Phoenix Bookstore, the Phoenix Network and others share this historic, campuswide connotation.

That said, members of the University community who choose “Phoenix” as a descriptor are advised to avoid usages that might confuse those uncertain if the reference is generic or, instead, specific to athletics.

Athletics Phoenix Wordmark
Developed 2007

The University does not have an institutional “Phoenix” wordmark for general use. The trademarked Phoenix Talon Mark (shown at the right) is reserved strictly for Green Bay Athletics.

It’s ‘Green Bay Athletics’ at UW-Green Bay

The Athletics identity guidelines declare the prefixes “University of Wisconsin-” or “UW-” to be unnecessary in reference to the program. Green Bay Basketball, for example, is the preferred editorial usage and only acceptable option in commercial situations.

It is the position of this campus-wide style book, however, that use of the full institutional name by University communicators can be an acceptable choice in some, limited editorial contexts.

The additional University identifier might be appropriate, for instance, in a campus newsletter reporting on academic or institutional issues, as opposed to competition or results.

Correct Usages

• Green Bay won by a 5-3 score.
• Green Bay Basketball Coach John Doe announced the lineup change.
• The Kress Events Center at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is home floor for the Phoenix volleyball team.
• Student athletes from UW-Green Bay who compete for the women’s basketball team swept national all-academic honors.