The Manhattan Jaspers logo is designed in an Irish style to honor the university’s founders. The emblem reflects simplicity and ease. Continuous growth and development are embedded in every identity line, enabling the team to achieve long-term prosperity.
The Manhattan Jaspers trace their history to 1853, when the Brothers of the Christian Schools founded Manhattan College in New York. The college moved from Manhattan to Riverdale in the Bronx in 1922. Its teams were named for Brother Jasper, a former athletic director traditionally linked to the seventh-inning stretch after he asked spectators to stand and stretch during an 1882 baseball game against the New York Metropolitans.
Basketball developed in the early 20th century and gained recognition through appearances in the NIT during the 1940s, when the event held major status in college basketball. Manhattan competed in a crowded New York sports market alongside St. John’s, Fordham, and NYU. In 1982, the college joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, establishing regular rivalries with Iona, Fairfield, Rider, and Siena.
The men’s team won the MAAC championship in 1995 and earned a national tournament berth. Draddy Gymnasium was renovated in 2004, providing an updated home for basketball and other sports. Manhattan returned to the national field in 2014 after winning another MAAC title and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
Baseball has remained another established part of the program, regularly challenging for conference titles and making several national tournament appearances throughout the region. Manhattan has also supported track and field, tennis, lacrosse, and other varsity sports while competing with the smaller resources typical of MAAC institutions.
Meaning and History
What is Manhattan Jaspers?
These are Manhattan College teams based in the Bronx, New York, competing in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Conference. They play baseball in green-and-white uniforms at Van Cortlandt Park and basketball at Druddy Hall. The Jasper mascot and traditions in track and field, basketball, and baseball reflect their competitive spirit.
1981 – 2011
The emblem features a large “M,” symbolizing the team and the university’s names. A ribbon wrapping around the letter contains the name “Jaspers,” derived from Brother Jasper of Mary, a Catholic brother known as a prominent baseball coach and an active organizer of sports at the university.
The letter “M” design is transformed into a graphic representation of the Chapel of De La Salle and its brother’s clock tower in the Squeri Hall building on campus. This combination of elements creates a unique image that reflects the university’s identity and historical roots.
The emblem’s primary color is green, associated with the De La Salle Brothers, also known as the Irish Christian Brothers. This color has become a key element, reflecting the community’s traditions and heritage while highlighting the university’s distinctive visual identity.
2012 – today
The logo has been simplified to match the university’s modern image. The chapel has been removed from the design because campus expansion has diminished its symbolic significance. The main element is the letter “M,” complemented by a ribbon. These elements are presented in a rich green color, reflecting the institution’s traditions and historical roots.
White is used for the font and outlines, adding clarity to the text. The ribbon’s edging evokes associations with supporter scarves, conveying solidarity and unity with the university’s teams. This design enhances the perception of the symbol and emphasizes the institution’s identity.



