It was a great weekend to be a Hawk — the annual Family and Alumni Weekend festivities brought hundreds of Rockhurst University alumni and families back to "the nest" for the biggest party on campus.
More than 1,000 visitors registered to attend one of the events on campus happening over three days. Activities included class reunions, including the 1973 Golden Hawks, the Hopkins Skip and Run 5k, the Ellen Spake Lecture Series featuring University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., as the guest speaker, and campus tours and events for families.
This year, the occasion was made even more special with the unveiling of a new logo for Rockhurst University athletics during the Friday night tailgate and soccer games.
The new logo, which had been teased for weeks prior to Family and Alumni Weekend, was officially revealed immediately following the RU women's soccer team's victory over Missouri S&T. Senior Kaylie Meyer, accompanied by members of the University's dance and cheer teams, led the crowd in cheers before Rock E. Hawk emerged, alongside student-athletes, waving a flag emblazoned with the new Hawk logo, depicted wings spread in mid-flight.
Designed by Johnny Lightning Strikes Again, a Kansas City based firm, the logo and its associated designs incorporate elements of University Hawk logos from the past with classic collegiate athletic design elements and a contemporary sensibility for a reinterpretation of the University's athletic visual identity designed to inspire pride in both alumni and current and future student-athletes.
"From on-field performance to academic accolades, I truly believe Rockhurst University's student-athletes are the class of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and all of Division II," said Kristy Bayer, director of athletics. "This new visual identity for our athletic programs reflects that stature. Unveiling it is a moment that a lot of our student-athletes and coaches have been anticipating for a while now, and to be able to share that moment with our friends, alumni and family members made it that much more special."
With the reveal in person and on social media, Rockhurst University Athletics announced a popup store for a limited time with apparel featuring the new logo. The Rockhurst University Bookstore is also offering apparel featuring the new logo.
