Loyola Marymount Lions Logo PNG
The Loyola Marymount Lions logo emphasizes the core values of the athletes: professionalism, integrity, and a passionate heart. The emblem lines reflect the players’ unity and cohesion, as they honor and uphold the university’s traditions.
The Loyola Marymount Lions trace their roots to 1911, when Jesuits opened St. Vincent’s College in Los Angeles. The school became Loyola College of Los Angeles in 1918 and merged with Marymount College, founded in 1923. The combined institution adopted the name Loyola Marymount University, and its athletic teams became known as the Lions.
LMU joined the West Coast Conference in 1955, competing with Pepperdine, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Saint Mary’s. A new basketball era began in 1985 under Paul Westhead, the former Los Angeles Lakers coach. His rapid offensive system produced historic totals, including a 181-150 victory over United States International University in 1989.
Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, both transfers from USC, led the rise. In 1988-89, Gathers topped Division I in scoring and rebounding. The 1989-90 team averaged 122.4 points per game, while Kimble led the nation with 35.3. On March 4, 1990, Gathers collapsed during a conference tournament game against Portland and died at age 23.
Loyola Marymount entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed, then defeated New Mexico State, Michigan, and Alabama. The 149-115 win over defending champion Michigan set a tournament scoring record, while Jeff Fryer made 11 three-pointers. Kimble honored Gathers by shooting his first free throw left-handed. LMU became the first WCC team in 33 years to reach the Elite Eight. The run ended against eventual champion UNLV, and ESPN later told the team’s story in Guru of Go.
Meaning and History
What is Loyola Marymount Lions?
These teams compete in NCAA Division I, representing the Los Angeles campus as members of the West Coast Conference. They play football at Sullivan Field, baseball at Page Stadium, and basketball at Gersten Pavilion. Crimson and navy blue colors characterize their performances, and Iggy’s lion mascot reflects the competitive spirit.
2001 – 2007
The sports team’s logo features a silver lion with a fiery mane, representing the mascot Iggy the Lion. The predator is depicted in motion with sharp claws and a fierce expression, emphasizing strength and determination. The lion’s figure emerges from the football image, highlighting the emblem’s sports theme.
Above the illustration is the abbreviation for Loyola Marymount University, rendered in a Gothic style, underscoring the university’s role in the team’s identity. The lion’s mane, stylized as sun rays, reflects the symbolism of the Jesuit order, which has influenced the university. The lion’s silver color conveys purity, dignity, and a striving for high ideals.
There are several versions of how the lion became the mascot. One suggests that in 1919, a fan proposed this symbol to represent the players’ competitiveness and qualities. Another connects the choice to the mountain lions inhabiting the Westchester area, where the university was relocated.
2008 – 2018
In 2008, the logo was updated, retaining only three letters of the abbreviation in a curved shape resembling an arch. This design evokes associations with the university’s traditions and its protective role. The new letter design is perceived as an echo of previous symbols, maintaining a connection to the institution’s history.
These changes occurred after the president, the university’s last spiritual leader, left. The emblem adopted a minimalist appearance, shedding many elements to emphasize a shift in direction and a departure from some traditional features.
2019 – today
The modern emblem commemorates the first championship victory in beach volleyball. It centers on a maroon abbreviation surrounded by a double border of white and light blue. This design emphasizes reliability and symbolizes unity and team spirit.
The letters are slightly tilted, forming a semicircle that evokes a sports arena. The serif font highlights respect for the team’s traditions and historical heritage. This approach visually reinforces the connection to past achievements and highlights their impact on current development.