May 11, 2013 07:38 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Montana State University unveiled its new athletic logo last month. It depicts Bobcat and the letter M in a modernized form, embodying the true fighting spirit. The crucial changes were a part of the university's re-branding effort to reflect and represent the dynamics and characteristics of their teams.

The new Bobcat head features a rounded design, sharpened ears, detailed eye and a white mouth instead of its former all-gold filled face, while the block letter 'M' that usually appears on football helmets was changed to appear differently from those of Michigan and Missouri's M block letters.

"Our coaches and student-athletes are enjoying an era of tremendous and dynamic success, and we want our logo and marks to reflect this," said MSU Director of Athletics Peter Fields. "Our new logo captures a feeling of action while staying true to what was originally called the Aggie spirit when this school adopted the Bobcat nickname nearly a century ago. Campus leaders then cited a blending of tradition with action, and that's what we think we captured."

The university paid Torch Creative around $18,000 to redesign the Bobcat logo and modernize the block letter M.

Fields said that the university will have to spend more than $50,000 in order to incorporate the new logo on the football field and at other stadiums as well.

The university made the last logo change in 2004.

MSU President Waded Cruzado said that the officials wanted to create a logo that portrayed the aggression of the students and coaches. Members of the campus community are excited to sport a logo that is bold and big, in blue and gold colors.

During the unveiling ceremony, university officials also announced Under Armour as its new apparel partner for all of its new uniforms and merchandise apparel.

Head football coach Rob Ash said that they wanted the logo to appear as a brand rather than just a mark or a design. The logo should remind one about the teams' quality, success, honesty, service, academic excellence and commitment to their community.

Ash said that the logo will also be showcased on the 50-yard-line at Bobcat Stadium by the end of May.

The Bobcats are the top football team in the Big Sky Conference over the past three seasons, with a 21-3 record in the league. The program won three consecutive conferences and has qualified for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in three straight seasons.

Last year, Montana State was awarded the Big Sky Conference Presidents Cup in recognition of its overall athletic and academic performance.

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