Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds Logo PNG
The Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds logo is concise and strong. The emblem conveys a message of unity and care, which are the foundations of Jesuit universities. Student-athletes stand together as a unified front in support of spiritual values, dedication, and honest, fair play.
The Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds trace their history to 1852, when Jesuits founded Loyola College in Baltimore. Athletics began as informal student competition, and the Greyhounds nickname appeared in the 1910s. Men’s lacrosse was established in 1938, with nearby Johns Hopkins becoming the program’s main rival.
Men’s soccer brought the university its first Division I national title in 1976 and remained a frequent postseason contender. Basketball entered sports history on February 12, 1952, when Loyola defeated Morgan State 65-63 in the first interracial college game played south of the Mason-Dixon Line. After moving to Division I in 1981, Loyola joined the MAAC in 1989 and won its basketball tournament in 1994 and 2012.
Lacrosse reached the Division II final in 1981 and the Division I title game in 1990, after postseason appearances in 1988 and 1989. Under Charlie Toomey, the Greyhounds produced their leading season in 2012. They won 12 straight games, lost only in overtime to Johns Hopkins, then beat Maryland 9-3 in the NCAA final for the university’s first Division I lacrosse championship. Eric Lusby scored a tournament-record 17 goals and received MVP honors.
On July 1, 2013, Loyola transferred varsity teams to the Patriot League. Women’s lacrosse built a long postseason record with seven Final Four appearances, a place in the 1997 championship game, and more than 20 consecutive national tournament berths beginning in the late 2000s and continuing for over two decades.
Meaning and History
What is Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds?
These Baltimore-based university sports teams compete in NCAA Division I as part of the Patriot League. They wear green and gray colors and participate in various sports, including lacrosse, basketball, swimming, soccer, and tennis. Home games are played at the Ridley Athletic Complex, while basketball games are played at the Reitz Arena. The mascot, “Iggy Greyhound,” accompanies their performances. The teams are especially distinguished by their achievements in men’s and women’s lacrosse.
2004 – 2009
The sports team’s emblem emphasizes speed and movement. The image depicts a greyhound racing forward, with gray streaks trailing behind to enhance the sense of dynamism. This evokes associations with swiftness and energy.
The university name is rendered in bold green letters, symbolizing growth and progress. The font is slightly tilted upward, signifying determination. A black outline forms a unified silhouette, reflecting the cohesion of team members. A white border around the letters adds a sense of integrity and fair principles.
The university is named after the Catholic Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (also known as the Jesuit Order), highlighting its connection to tradition.
The greyhound was chosen as the mascot in 1921 due to its elegance and speed. At the bottom, the team nickname is displayed in small black text, framed by thin lines that complement the logo’s elongated shape and the animal’s form.
The emblem commemorates a historic 9-0 victory and the team’s MAAC championship, marking a significant milestone in the team’s history.
2009 – 2014
The logo update, associated with transitioning from college to university, emphasized the institution’s new status. The primary change was to align and render the “Loyola” lettering design in equal size. This decision highlights the significance of the achieved level.
A gradient transition separates the symbols, creating the illusion of a curtain being drawn back to reveal the letters. The image of a greyhound enhances the sense of dynamism: the dog, with its mouth slightly open and in motion, symbolizes speed and energy.
The team nickname is styled similarly, with the enlarged font harmoniously integrated into the overall concept. The logo’s elements convey confidence, the joy of achievements, and a commitment to maintaining high standards.
2014 – 2019
Following the 2013 rebranding, when the team transitioned from the Northeast Conference to the Patriot League, the logo retained its main elements but was updated in detail. The greyhound appeared more expressive, with enlarged eyes that enhanced the impression of activity and dynamism. The letters in the name were cleared of gradient effects, adding clarity and simplicity to the perception.
The team’s name was enlarged and made more prominent to emphasize its significance. The players’ nicknames were scaled up to visually balance the composition. Removing side stripes strengthened the unity, symbolizing the team’s confidence in its new status and determination to maintain its position.
2019 – today
The updated logo focuses on the letter “L,” which remains the sole visual element. The double outline adds stability and reliability to the symbol, emphasizing the team’s collective spirit and shared interests. The design’s simplicity and conciseness reflect the athletes’ unity.
The redesign process became part of a global initiative to unify Jesuit educational institutions under a single visual style. The update began after Arturo Sosa Abascal was appointed order leader in 2016. The initiative focused on creating a universal and modern image that reflected shared goals and educational principles, including the symbolism of sports teams.