Horizon League Logo PNG
The Horizon League logo warms everyone who finds themselves under its wing. The emblem paints a picture of a bright future and points to the opportunities the alliance provides for access to the highest levels of collegiate sports. The league stands out for its belief in individuals’ strengths and abilities.
Horizon League: Brand overview
The history of the Horizon League began in 1979 under the name Midwestern City Conference. The initial members were Butler University, the University of Evansville, Loyola University Chicago, Oklahoma City University, Oral Roberts University, and Xavier University. The primary goal was the development of collegiate basketball in the Midwestern United States.
The first basketball championship was held in 1980. In 1985, the league secured an automatic NCAA March Madness tournament bid. 1989 the conference changed to the Midwestern Collegiate, highlighting geographical and sports expansion.
In 2001, the association officially became known as the Horizon League, and in the same year, Youngstown State University joined. Butler University left the league in 2012 to join the Atlantic 10 Conference, and in 2013, Oakland University joined.
Since 2015, the association has launched a digital broadcasting network for matches. 2017 IUPUI joined the league, followed by Robert Morris University and Purdue Fort Wayne between 2020 and 2022.
Today, the Horizon League is part of NCAA Division I, actively developing collegiate sports. Representatives of the league regularly compete against opponents from major conferences such as the Big Ten and Big 12.
Meaning and History
What is the Horizon League?
Known for strong basketball programs and participation in Olympic sports, the NCAA Division I league brings together universities from the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The conference includes city universities and teams that successfully perform in national tournaments. Competitions cover many sports, including swimming and football.
1985 – 2001
The emblem introduced by the Horizon League in the mid-eighties bore its former name, the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Its primary visual symbol was the abbreviation MCC, written in a solid typeface. These letters occupied the central part of the entire composition, forming a prominent graphic block. The contrasting combination of bright blue and neutral gray colors emphasized the confident attitude of the athletic association, making the emblem noticeable.
The conference’s full name was placed in a separate line at the bottom and executed in a simple sans-serif typeface with white letters on a blue background. This provided the logo with a strict shape typical of sports organizations. The lettering was clear, without additional embellishments, focusing on readability.
Blue and gray were traditional colors for many teams in the region and simultaneously emphasized the athletic nature of the organization. The entire composition appeared reserved, conveying the atmosphere of classic collegiate sports leagues in the USA. This graphic style was maintained until the league changed to the Horizon League, after which its corporate identity was completely updated.
2001 – 2014
The league’s logo stands out for its lightness and dynamism. The design lines resemble sharp arrows aimed at a target, symbolizing movement and the drive for achievement. The emblem was created in 2001 when the Midwestern City Conference was renamed.
The central element is a schematic depiction of a person transformed into a star. One of the figure’s “arms-rays” traces the horizon line over which the Sun rises. The design references the geography of the Great Lakes region, known for its landscapes where water expanses meet the skyline. The union’s name is tied to these natural features.
The conference headquarters are located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Adorned with a star, the state flag inspired the logo’s creators. The star’s transformation into a human figure symbolizes personal growth and achievements made possible through effort and development. The horizon’s tracing emphasizes the idea of shaping one’s destiny.
The emblem’s image resembles a running athlete with a torch, evoking associations with the Olympic Games and emphasizing the conference’s athletic focus. The league unites motivated, confident, and goal-oriented individuals ready to overcome obstacles. The orange stripe representing the sunrise symbolizes success and new opportunities. This element conveys the warmth and support inherent in team sports.
The conference name is at the bottom. The letters vary in thickness, and the word “Horizon” is highlighted to emphasize the key idea of unity.
2014 – 2023
A large-scale reorganization affecting numerous conferences, including the Horizon League, led to the renewal of its logo. The new symbol eliminated the star image and focused instead on the rising Sun emerging over the horizon, reflecting ideas of growth, renewal, and new opportunities.
The organization’s name is positioned at the bottom and displayed on two levels. The design emphasizes the union’s significance, making its name more prominent and structured.
The primary focus is on the line connecting the earth and sky, conveying the idea of opportunities opened through conference membership. The horizon line reminds participants of their achievements and goals.
2023 – today
The new version of the Horizon League logo was introduced in 2023, maintaining continuity with the previous design but refreshing it with a bright shade of orange. The central symbol, a curved line depicting the horizon, is now rendered vibrant, adding athletic energy to the logo.
The main inscription, “HORIZON LEAGUE,” remained unchanged.
2023 – today
The second version of the Horizon League logo, introduced in 2023, presented a fresh approach to the conference’s symbolism. Designers decided to use a three-dimensional letter “H” in a vibrant orange color. This letter took on an unusual shape due to a curved line through its center, resembling a horizon line. Designers directly highlighted the league’s name and forward-looking approach.
The color palette became brighter, combining two different shades of orange. The main letter and horizontal line have a slight volumetric effect, creating a sporty and energetic image suitable for a competitive atmosphere. Below the emblem is the inscription “Horizon League,” in a strict black color. The font for the name remained unchanged, strict, minimalist, uppercase, and sans-serif.
A strict font and bright emblem enhance the league’s recognizability, emphasizing its ambition and competitive character. The visual contrast between calm black and vivid orange allows the logo to easily stand out among other sports organizations.