Big Eight Conference Logo PNG
The Big Eight Conference logo represents a strong and reliable foundation for the athletic programs of the Missouri Valley universities. It highlights the schools’ unity, experience, and mutual support. The emblem reflects a commitment to football and basketball as the primary supported sports.
Big Eight Conference: Brand overview
The history of the Big Eight Conference began in 1907 when five U.S. universities founded the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The initial members were the University of Kansas, the University of Missouri, the University of Nebraska, Washington University (St. Louis), and the University of Iowa. In 1928, the association split, and six universities formed a conference named the Big Six, the foundation for the future Big Eight Conference.
In 1947, the entry of the University of Colorado led to the renaming of the conference as the Big Seven. Ten years later, Oklahoma State University joined, establishing the definitive name, the Big Eight Conference.
In the 1960s, the association’s teams dominated college football, and the rivalry between Nebraska and Oklahoma became famous across the U.S. In the 1970s, success continued with national championships. In the 1980s, the association strengthened its position in basketball, with teams regularly reaching NCAA March Madness and the Final Four, while media contracts boosted the league’s popularity.
In February 1994, a merger of the Big Eight with four universities from the Southwest Conference, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor, was announced, forming the new Big 12 Conference. The Big Eight Conference officially ceased to exist on June 30, 1996, transferring its legacy to the new league, alongside strong competitors such as the Big Ten and other major NCAA conferences.
Meaning and History
What is the Big Eight Conference?
The Midwestern University Athletic Conference is an association of Midwestern universities known for athletic competitions. The conference has produced many national champions and professional athletes and is distinguished by strong football programs and basketball rivalries. Its traditions have influenced the development of student sports, especially football.
1996
The conference succeeded several notable organizations, including the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA), the Big Six, the Missouri Valley (MVC), and the Big Seven. Its current name was officially adopted in 1964.
The logo became the last in the union’s history before its dissolution following expansion and the transition to the Big 12. The design centers around a football field, framed by a bold black border emphasizing football’s importance to the conference’s participants. The teams competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision and Division I-A, showcasing their high status.
Against the field background, the union’s name is prominently displayed in large white letters, while the giant number “8” references a basketball court marking, highlighting the participants’ basketball achievements.
The black frame and the word “Conference” convey unity and the collective progress of teams acting as a single entity. The use of bold lines conveys a sense of solidity and underscores the organization’s significant experience, founded in 1907.