Correct usage of word marks and logos

For questions regarding this section, please contact the Associate Athletic Director for Communication and Compliance at ext. 7356.

Category one: program items

Program items are worn or used by program members, including coaches, student-athletes, managers, trainers, etc. when they are practicing, competing and/or acting in an official capacity as a representative of Messiah College Athletics. This includes pre- and post-game functions, in-game competition, practices and special events in which they participate because of their membership on a Falcons’ team. This includes warm-ups, jerseys, shorts/pants, socks, hats and travel bags. (Note: Whether the item is purchased with institutional funds, auxiliary funds, camps funds or donated money by a program member or someone outside of the program, the guidelines apply.)

Competition uniforms and apparel

• Primary word mark (i.e., “Messiah”) across chest (or other location approved by the assistant athletic director)
• Any approved primary, secondary or alternate athletics logo(s) placed on the front, back or sleeve of the uniform is permitted.
• Bottom of uniform piece: any official word mark or primary, secondary or alternate logo(s) placed on the front of the piece is permitted.
• Colors must strictly follow palette.
• Area of isolation is expected for all marks.

Warm-ups, travel suits, hats, bags, etc.

• If a suit, the front of the top piece must have at least either primary word mark or primary logo (i.e., “Falcon+MESSIAH”). This includes the marks located within sport labeled marks.
• If a suit, the bottom may have only official marks of visual identity.
• Colors must strictly follow palette.
• Area of isolation is expected for all marks.
• Colors must strictly follow the palette with one exception: gray also may be used as the primary color in warm-up suits or travel gear. This is not true for black, nor is it true for the actual uniform pieces themselves.

Practice items

• Primary word mark or primary logo must be used on front of item.
• Color palette adjusted to include gray as primary and/or secondary option
• Team phrases are permitted on back.
• Area of isolation is expected for all marks.

Category two: promotional items

Promotional items are created by and supplied by the College, the Athletics Department and/or a Falcons’ team to any/all constituents, including student-athletes, parents, fans, campers, etc. for the purposes of promotional and/or entertainment activities.

All items:

• Primary word mark or primary logo must be used on front of item.
• Full phrases and sayings are permitted on back.
• Other than word marks being unchanged, text/font may change.
• Color of the shirt can come through logo to allow for one-color prints.
• Area of isolation is expected for all marks.

Category three: coaching items

Coaching items are a category of apparel similar to program items but with a distinction made for items to which only coaches and/or athletics administrators will have access.

All items:

• All program item guidelines apply with one exception: Accent colors of palette are permitted for use as secondary colors.

Category four: digital environment

The Falcon head logo can be used as a favicon for Web URLs.

When logos are used in social media graphics, be sure to evaluate the image to assure that it is unmistakably Messiah— there’s no way that this could be viewed as from another college whose initials are MC or has a falcon as its mascot.