In 2011, the world witnessed one of the greatest March Madness runs, not just in UConn history, but of all time. Kemba Walker put the Huskies on his back and had such an iconic performance that the term “Cardiac Kemba” is still thrown around in my household when unbelievable things happen. When the final buzzer rang out and UConn successfully beat Butler 53-41 to win their third national title, the Husky logo appeared on everyone’s screen: a big, white, fluffy dog with a silly red tongue sticking out to its chin. Three years later, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams would go on to win the NCAA tournament, but when the time hit zero on both games, a different logo was plastered on the championship hats and shirts. It was a more geometric, aggressive looking husky — still blue, white and red, but more intimidating and sleek. This is the logo UConn uses today, and seven-year-old Alex hated this pup. It was a deviation from the more charismatic-looking dog that UConn had been using since 1981; alongside many others, I didn’t enjoy the “scary” new logo made solely for athletic marketing reasons.
Today, I don’t mind the contemporary logo as much. In fact, I think it’s a clean redesign that encapsulates a strong and sporty “UConn Nation.” Still, however, ask anyone on campus what their “top dog” is, and I guarantee you a fair sum will answer with the nostalgic Jonathan husky that was present when the UConn basketball dynasty began. Some might even say they prefer the “sad husky” from 1959 for its “derpy” nature. Alumni, employees, Connecticut residents and even current students who may not have even known what UConn was yearn for the old dog, and UConn’s general lack of branding it more often is simply tragic.
On campus, the only way to see the nostalgic logo is by either going into the bookstore and purchasing some overpriced vintage-looking piece of cotton or strolling through the Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center, which is almost completely exclusive to basketball players. The only clothing and paraphernalia I own that has the fluffy white dog on it is either from the era, thrifted or from a third-party vendor not affiliated with UConn.
People don’t just want the old logo because it looks better, but because it evokes the sense of community that the University of Connecticut has brought them. “UConn Nation” is more than just a slogan to put on a T-shirt; it’s a way of life for so many people. For my father, the old logo represents a small school in Connecticut’s middle of nowhere that, through hard work and dedication, was able to get on the basketball map. To thousands of students, it is a community that allows for education, spontaneous fun and opportunity. The logo makes the university feel more like a community, not some corporate entity, and at the end of the day the new logo is a product of corporatism. In 2013, the logo was switched at the request of Nike so the athletics program could look more like a powerhouse school.
Furthermore, the logo represents a simpler time — an era where things perhaps didn’t need to feel so serious and so aggressive all the time. I look at the happy dog that isn’t even modeled after a real husky and remember a day in which our biggest struggles didn’t feel so full of doom, but simply if Maya Moore could hit a shot. It’s a representation of the ethos of the time, or at least the ethos we have conjured up in our minds. Why UConn doesn’t hark back to the old logo baffles me.
No one is saying to get rid of the new dog, simply do more with the old. Return to those older days of juvenilia that we miss. An emblem on the chest pocket of a shirt or the sleeve of a jacket goes a long way. It would be a reminder that UConn cares, that it remembers its past and lives with it today.
A few years ago, my wife and I were boarding a plane in Myrtle Beach to fly home to CT. I was wearing a UConn polo with the “Happy Husky” logo. While passing through the First Class section, I and others noted Coach Calhoun seated in an aisle seat and chatted a bit with him. He pointed at my shirt and said “That’s the logo that I like!” I agreed, but as time has passed, I have come to like the “Angry Husky”.
I love the happy husky! I only were that logo. I’m an alum and say bring back the happy husky
Easily the best of the UConn logos. I had this logo on my wedding cake. Please bring it back!
Most actual huskies look like the new logo! In fact, the current live Jonathan looks almost identical! The original happy husky was not even a husky dog!
I completely agree. I’m class of ‘98, and when the new logo was unveiled, I was honestly confused. Why fix what isn’t broken? You write, “No one is saying to get rid of the new dog.” I am. Get rid of the new dog. It’s terrible.
The fur of the old husky is more of a Samoyed…although there are white huskies…we currently have 2 Samoyeds..son has 1…Burton is the 10th Sammy in our family.The original Jonathan was authentic looking….Brother Dec’72. Sister ’78 and me ’97 MPH UCHC
The current logo is indeed too aggressive-looking, and they even chose the current actual dog to have to dark coloring around his eyes to match the angry logo. I don’t like it. Furthermore, Nike’s opinion or requests should not be any part of the University’s decisions. What a shame.
Not sure who “we” is, but i think the current logo is much better.
The older “happy” husky reminds me of my cuddly golden retriever. I like it, but to me it doesn’t exude the intensity and tenacity of the newer “angry” husky, which looks wolf-like in its fierceness. As a mascot representing UConn’s sports teams, I prefer the newer version husky. In fact, I think it’s one of the best logos in all of sports, including professional.
Yeah I was bewildered when they came out with angry husky. It almost looks like something generic in a create-your-team mode from a video game. I still don’t think it fits with or represents UConn. The happy husky, to me, is incredibly aesthetically pleasing. There’s a classicism to it that we lost. Look at logos like Iowa, Duke, UNC, Kansas, NC State, U Miami…the list goes on; all classics, unchanged, iconic. Ours? Soulless, corporate, digital design blah. Signed, season ticket holder, family of bachelor’s 80’s, md 2010s, Glastonbury, Conn.
Anyone remembers when some angry feminist got triggered because she associated the new logo with s. assault? It’s simply a matter of personal opinion, everyone has one. To me, I like the older fluffy husky without the red tongue the most, but only because it was around when I attended UCONN. I accept the fact that logos and branding are in a state of constant change, and in order to thrive in the market, appeal to the general public and create a brand you need to modernize up to current standards. Some well established brands do not need to do so, but UCONN being a relative newcomer to the top of the college basketball world is not there yet.
Ughhh what, I remember going to Uconn and seeing that cute happy husky. I loved him. Bring back the old one, the new one looks so aggressive and mean. I don’t like it. 😞 ♥️ Yes get rid of the new one, old cute happy Jonathan The Husky for life. Why must our state university appeal to “Nike,” maybe they should learn to appeal to people more. I haven’t worn nikes since I was a kid; gross.
Why didn’t you show the image of the current Husky Dog so people could see your point and/or make their own comparison? It’s a personal preference and completely subjective. People can make their own decision accordingly. At first, I didn’t want the logo to be changed, but soon afterwards it actually appealed to me as being modern, cool and hip. I like it.
Class of ‘83 here. Just bought a t-shirt with the old husky at Hartford Prints on Pratt St in Hartford yesterday. So excited!