Evansville Purple Aces Logo PNG
The Evansville Purple Aces logo is easily placed on uniforms. Since 1977, the University of Evansville’s department has been represented by a letter monogram. Ensuring ease of reading and recognition, it is succinctly executed in corporate colors.
The nickname Purple Aces emerged in 1925 after a win over the University of Louisville, when an opposing coach described the team as playing with “five aces.” In 1926, the name was adopted with reference to the school’s purple color.
The University of Evansville built its program after relocating in 1919. Basketball began early, with the first win in 1923 against Bethel College. The team competed in NAIA and reached national tournaments before moving to the NCAA College Division in 1955–56.
Under coach Arad McCutchan from 1947 to 1977, the program entered its defining era. Evansville won NCAA Division II titles in 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, and 1971. The 1965 team finished 29–0. Players included Jerry Sloan, later with the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, and Don Buse, who reached the NBA and ABA All-Star level.
On December 13, 1977, a plane crash killed the entire team and staff on the way to face Middle Tennessee. The program was rebuilt the following season with community support.
At the Division I level, Evansville reached the NCAA Tournament in 1982, 1989, 1992, 1993, and 1999. In 1999, the team won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season.
In 2019, Evansville defeated Kentucky on the road, one of the season’s notable upsets. Women’s soccer became one of the most successful programs in the conference, with multiple titles and NCAA appearances.
Meaning and History
For 33 years, sports teams have used a logo featuring a man in a purple jacket and a wide-brimmed hat. In the cartoon, the character’s left hand is a cane, and the right hand holds a flag with the inscription “UE.” This abbreviation is formed from the phrase “University of Evansville.”
In 2001, designers developed a new logo that lasted the next 17 years. In the center appeared the large word “Aces,” above it “Purple,” and at the very bottom, “Evansville.” The only graphic element was a five-pointed star connected by a long tapering stripe to the first “A.”
The current logo was introduced in 2019. It consists of a monogram formed by the university’s name in uppercase letters. “U” is in the top left corner, and “E” is in the bottom right. They touch in the center, with “U” partially overlapping “E.”
What is Evansville Purple Aces?
Evansville Purple Aces is an intercollegiate sports program comprising 18 teams representing students of the University of Evansville. Located in Indiana, the team is part of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes in NCAA Division I. The most significant achievements have been made by players in baseball, basketball, and soccer.
1977 – 2000
2001 – 2018
2019 – today
Evansville Purple Aces Basketball
The women’s basketball team participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in 1999 and 2009. The men’s team was much more active: basketball players participated in five NCAA tournaments and won five Division II championships until 1977.
Evansville Purple Aces Baseball
The Evansville Purple Aces baseball team competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. It is known that five of its former players have made it to Major League Baseball.