Appropriate Uses of Athletics and School Spirit Marks

Athletics marks (“Mountain Lions" and the athletics "Mountain Lions" logo) are exclusive to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. They may be used in limited school-spirit uses, as approved by the Brand Manager and Intercollegiate Athletics.

What qualifies as school-spirit use of the athletics “Mountain Lions” logo?

The following scenarios define the accepted school-spirit uses of the “Mountain Lions” logo. All uses of the “Mountain Lions” logo will be reviewed/approved by the Brand Manager.

Note: As with all university logos, the “Mountain Lions” logo may not be modified or redesigned in any way.

1. School spirit entails use of the “Mountain Lions” logo specifically meant to represent the competitive or emotional connection we feel for the UCCS Mountain Lions.
2. In circumstances that require a sense of school spirit and the identification of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the “Mountain Lions” logo can be used in conjunction with the UCCS logo.
3. Any instance related to the university’s overarching teaching, research, and service mission that does not involve school spirit as defined above (e.g., academic events, research posters, name badges, commencement robes, etc.) requires the use of the UCCS logo as the primary identifier and not the “Mountain Lions” logo.

Scenario 1: “Mountain Lions” Logo Only

Intercollegiate Athletics

• Club sports apparel (game day equipment) / intramural sports awards (first place t-shirts, etc.)
• Student projects for competitions (e.g., experimental vehicles and other inventions)
• Bookstore merchandise and store visual identity
• Events related to athletics programming (e.g., pregame celebrations, etc.)
• Recreation Center athletic venues (e.g., logos on athletics courts, etc.)
• Personal use by family, etc. (cakes, blankets, etc.)
• Licensee requests (current approved list at brand.uccs.edu/trademarks
• Select awards, by request

The “Mountain Lions” logo may not be used in conjunction with a unit-specific identifier other than athletics. However, UCCS units may use the “Mountain Lions” logo on merchandise to express a connection to the Mountain Lions. The “Mountain Lions” logo may not be used in conjunction with a corporate logo, except as allowed by specific sponsorship/licensing agreements managed via the department of athletics.

Scenario 2: “Mountain Lions” Logo & UCCS Logo

Select university/staff apparel (e.g., incoming student t-shirts, some Division of Student Affairs shirts, alumni/donor-related apparel, etc.). Each request will be reviewed by the Brand Manager and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Communication uses and signage that express a sense of school spirit/“Mountain Lion” community (eg., buses) within a university context.

“Mountain Lions” logo as the dominant visual element, with UCCS logo as university ID (e.g., bookstore planner covers). The Mountain Lions logo may not be used in conjunction with any campus identifier other than the UCCS logo.

Scenario 3: UCCS Logo Only

• College/school/unit-specific identity or communications
• Academic/research-related events (e.g., commencement, Fall Convocation, symposia, etc.)
• Permanent signage (except athletic facilities)
• University marketing/advertising as identity uses
• Business communications (letterhead, etc.)

Whenever the university name is used, the official UCCS logo should serve as the identifier. The “Mountain Lions” logo should not be directly associated with the words “University of Colorado Colorado Springs” at any time to identify the university in place of the UCCS logo in non-athletic uses.

How do I request approval to use the “Mountain Lions” logo?

All uses of the “Mountain Lions” logo are reviewed by the Brand and Design Office. You may submit your request for “Mountain Lions” logo usage by emailing brand@uccs.edu. Requests will be reviewed within three to five business days.

Licensing Program

The university’s licensing program, implemented by the Brand and Design office in partnership with CU System and CU Boulder Athletics, provides oversight of the “Mountain Lions” logo and other valuable university trademarks.

It helps the university generate revenue from the sale of licensed merchandise and extend its public visibility by ensuring quality and consistency in how its marks are used.

Licensed Vendors

While internal campus entities do not require a license to use the “Mountain Lions” logo (for approved uses), a licensed vendor must be used for all apparel production that includes the logo. For a list of licensed vendors approved to reproduce the “Mountain Lions” logo or to obtain a license, visit the Trademark Licensing page.