Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Logo PNG
The abbreviation of the name, forming an original and recognizable sign, the logo of Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, distinguishes the athletes of Bethune-Cookman University’s athletic department. The brand colors and graphics reference the history of visual design, concealing the outline of a wild cat’s head within the monogram.
Bethune-Cookman University began in 1904, when Mary McLeod Bethune opened a school in Daytona Beach with $1.50. In 1923, it merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, forming Bethune-Cookman College and expanding its athletics program. The “Wildcats” name appeared during this period.
Teams spent decades in the NAIA before moving to the NCAA. In 1979, football joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and by 1980, most MEAC programs had entered Division I.
Football shaped the program’s identity. Larry Little, who played from 1964 to 1967, later won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As head coach, he led the team to a MEAC title in 1984.
Rashean Mathis set FCS records for interceptions and won the Buck Buchanan Award in 2002. Nick Collins became a Super Bowl XLV champion with the Green Bay Packers. More than 30 players reached the NFL.
Under Brian Jenkins, the team won four MEAC titles between 2010 and 2014 and made several FCS playoff appearances.
Baseball under Mervyl Melendez won multiple MEAC titles from 2000 to 2011. In 2005, softball reached the NCAA Super Regional after earning an at-large bid.
The university status was granted in 2007. In 2021, the program moved to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, continuing rivalry with Florida A&M University in the Florida Classic.
Meaning and History
The 2000 logo of this sports division features a wildcat, the mascot of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. It reflects an aggressive emotion, expressed through a threateningly open mouth, warily flattened ears, and four sharp fangs. The beast is extremely determined and ready to pounce on the enemy at any moment. The colors of this version are white and light brown, with a gradient transition to yellow. The logo’s style is interesting: the brand name resembles a stencil on a light background.
The emblem presented in 2016 is more elegant. It is a monogram consisting of intertwined letters “C” and “B,” taken from the name of Bethune-Cookman University. The designers tried to maintain recognizability from the previous version, so in the stylized abbreviation, the outline of a wild cat’s head with an open mouth is discernible. The color combination is burgundy and gold.
What is Bethune-Cookman Wildcats?
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats is the sports division of Bethune-Cookman University. It is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and includes 15 student teams participating in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. They are members of the NCAA Division I FCS. The most successful athletes are the football, basketball, and baseball players.
2000 – 2015
2016 – today
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Football
The university’s football team was formed in 1925. It competes in the first division of the Football Championship Subdivision, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The athletes host home matches at Daytona Stadium, and the head coach is Terry Sims.