New Mexico State Aggies Logo PNG
An example of a conservative approach to logo design, striving to be as close as possible to the history of the emblem’s creation, is the identity of the New Mexico State University teams. The modern logo of the New Mexico State Aggies is a return to the university’s agricultural roots, insisted upon by the fans.
The New Mexico State Aggies trace their roots to 1888, when Las Cruces College opened in New Mexico. The agricultural focus shaped the Aggies’ name, while the mascot Pistol Pete was modeled on lawman Frank Eaton, a figure also used by Oklahoma State. The current logo with dual pistols was finalized in 2007, with crimson and white as team colors.
Football began on January 1, 1894, against the University of New Mexico, marking the start of the Rio Grande Rivalry. The result of that first game remains disputed, with each side reporting a different score. In the 1930s, coach Jerry Hines led both football and basketball, posting a 31–10–6 football record and reaching the first Sun Bowl in 1936 against Hardin-Simmons, ending in a 14:14 tie.
Basketball reached its peak in 1970 under Lou Henson with a Final Four appearance. Players Sam Lacey and John Williamson later entered the NBA. The program recorded 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, though a 1992 Sweet Sixteen run was later vacated after violations confirmed by NCAA investigations in 1996 and 2000.
Recovery began in 2005 with Reggie Theus, leading to a 2007 Western Athletic Conference title and NCAA return before his move to the Sacramento Kings. In 2022, under Chris Jans, the team secured its first NCAA Tournament win in 25 years.
A key rivalry is the Battle of I-10 against the UTEP Miners, first played in 1914, with the Silver Spade trophy introduced in 1955. The football conference alignment shifted repeatedly, including an independent status and a return to Conference USA in 2023, ending a long period of instability.
Meaning and History
For a long time, the NMSU emblem featured Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton. This version was revised several times to reflect the status of the educational institution’s emblem. Initially, the caricature was replaced by a block logo with text; then a lasso replaced the pistol, and the name was shortened to Pete. However, the public resisted, and the management returned to the original version.
What is New Mexico State Aggies?
New Mexico State Aggies is the athletic department of New Mexico State University, comprising 16 student teams. It is a member of the Western Athletic Conference and participates in the NCAA. The exception is the football team: since 2018, it has been independent. All athletes are based in Las Cruces.
1983 – 1995
1995 – 2005
The logo from that period features text with a monogram, an abbreviation of the athletic department’s extended name. At the top are overlapping letters “N” and “M,” and at the bottom is the single word “State.” The lowercase letters are black with a white outline. The emblem is almost square, with a slight protrusion at the bottom-left corner; the color is brick-brown.
2005 – 2006
That year, the administration returned to the old emblem with the gunsmith, removing the pistol from it. The cowboy is depicted in a dark maroon long-sleeve shirt and a matching hat. He is twirling a lasso overhead, ready to stop anyone. Below, in two tiers, is the sports organization’s full name.
2006 – 2016
After hostile public statements and persistent student demands, the university administration returned the firearm to the emblem. The character’s dress code was also changed to match the cowboy image as closely as possible.
2016 – today
Font and Colors
The modern version is a caricature of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton. He is dressed in a white shirt, a light neck scarf, a dark maroon vest, and a black hat with a brim. He holds a pistol in each hand, though in the original version, he had only one weapon.
The cowboy’s gaze is focused, menacing. The mouth is twisted in a malevolent grimace. On the right side of the jacket is the inscription “NM State,” arranged in two lines. Below is the expanded name of the university sports association: New Mexico State Aggies. The original logo colors are dark maroon, grey, and black.