Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Logo PNG
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks logo conveys the atmosphere of the northern plateaus, where the team is used to working under tough conditions. Their core values are endurance and precision, and sports are seen as a test of will. The symbol reminds us that success is born of consistency.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks: Brand overview
Northern Arizona University, originally founded as Northern Arizona Normal School in Flagstaff in 1899, began developing its athletic programs in the early 20th century. The football team debuted in 1915, adopting the nickname “Lumberjacks” to reflect the region’s timber industry. Basketball and track followed in the 1920s, establishing NAU’s early presence in Arizona athletics.
By the 1950s, facility improvements accelerated, highlighted by the opening of a dedicated sports complex in 1955. A crucial moment came in 1963 when NAU joined the Big Sky Conference, solidifying regular regional competition. Athletics saw notable growth during the 1970s, particularly with success in distance running, earning the university national recognition.
In 1977, football and basketball moved into the Walkup Skydome, significantly enhancing competitive conditions. The 1980s and 1990s brought consistent conference championships in track and field, alongside expanded opportunities in women’s sports.
Recent decades saw continued strength in cross-country and track. Between 2010 and 2015, women’s teams notably contended in Big Sky championships. Facility improvements from 2016 to 2019, including Skydome renovations, further supported program development. Flagstaff’s elevation at roughly 7,000 feet remains a distinctive asset, consistently benefiting NAU’s training conditions and athletic reputation.
Meaning and History
What is Northern Arizona Lumberjacks?
These athletic teams represent Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff and compete in NCAA Division I competitions as members of the Big Sky Conference. The campus’s high-altitude location at 7,000 feet gives athletes a natural advantage in training, especially in endurance running, where they have won national awards. Teams dressed in blue and gold colors participate in sports such as basketball, football, and athletics. Their mascot, Louis the Woodcutter, brings the crowd to life at the unique indoor Walkup Skydome, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, reflecting the team’s close connection to the region’s logging history.
1956 – 1968
The appearance of the yellow letter marked a new stage for the university in Flagstaff. The period of renaming coincided with a time of growth and a desire to assert itself in education and athletics. The emblem looked confident, its geometry reflecting the spirit of change and the era’s ambitions.
The form is simple and precise. It features straight lines and large proportions. The bright yellow color is outlined with a thin stripe of deep blue.
1968 – 1987
A smiling lumberjack with an axe and a plaid shirt became the new symbol of the team. The character’s appearance marked a shift toward a more open, friendly image associated with the name. On the axe blade, the letters “NAU” are written in large type, and at the lumberjack’s feet lies a tree stump on which he leans.
The image is based on simple forms and the contrast of two colors. Dark blue and white shades are used. The lines are soft and rounded, the facial features large, the gaze directed forward, and the slight smile conveys calmness and approachability.
The plaid shirt and pom-pom hat emphasize the connection to the forest culture of northern Arizona. The pose with one foot on the stump symbolizes readiness for action and confidence in one’s strength. The image combines tradition, the region’s spirit, and athletic origins.
1987 – 2005
A new, stronger lumberjack was introduced, resting on a stump with a large yellow “NAU” inscription. He holds an axe, his gaze is straight, and his smile is open and energetic. He looks ready for work while remaining composed. The appearance conveys strength and endurance, reflecting the spirit of northern Arizona lumberjacks.
Blue forms the base of the figure, white highlights the face, hands, and clothing details, and yellow emphasizes the hat and the “NAU” letters. The lines became more defined, the musculature clearer, and the expression livelier. The character matured and gained power while retaining the recognizable features of the previous image.
The plaid shirt, suspenders, work boots, and knitted pom-pom hat create a complete look. The stump with the inscription is perceived as a foundation and a symbol of reliability. The new lumberjack represents hard work, strength, and dedication to the land of northern Arizona.
2005 – 2014
The 2005 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks logo marked a turning point for the program. The lumberjack mascot disappeared, replaced by a symbol of the craft itself, an axe with a yellow handle and a steel blade. The entire design is built around the tool, which cuts through the inscriptions and unites them into a single line.
The upper part features the name “Northern Arizona.” The font, with its slight slant and serifs, conveys strength and direction. Shadows and outlines add depth, giving the design volume and scale. Below, on a blue background, is the word “Lumberjacks.” The white uppercase letters with wide spacing create a steady rhythm and emphasize compositional balance.
The axe became the focal point of the design. The metallic blade gleams in the light, and the yellow handle cuts through the composition like an axis connecting past and present. The lines are precise, the proportions are accurate, and the colors are balanced and contrasting.
The typeface is based on a classic italic serif and has been modified to suit the emblem’s character. The logo was developed in collaboration with Phoenix Design Works. This was the first official version in which the character was replaced by the profession’s symbol, a simple form with strong meaning.
2014 – 2020
In the new logo, the abbreviation “NAU” is centered and serves as the foundation of the design. The letters are large and dark blue. Inside the letter “A” is a yellow triangle resembling a mountain peak. It references the landscape of northern Arizona and the city of Flagstaff, where the university is located.
The entire composition is enclosed in a rich yellow curved frame. Its shape echoes the outline of an axe, the symbol of the lumberjacks. The frame surrounds the space, connecting modern minimalism with team tradition. The lines are smooth and precise, the outline forming a closed structure that supports compositional balance.
Blue and yellow create emotional contrast. Blue conveys seriousness, while yellow adds energy and light.
The logo was introduced in June 2014. The design was developed in collaboration with the New York agency SME Branding. The use of the “NAU” abbreviation emphasized the institutional foundation, and the minimalist form marked a new stage in the brand’s visual language.
The font was custom-designed. It is a strict geometric sans-serif with clean cuts that highlight its straightforward structure. Each letter is refined and balanced, forming a dynamic rhythm in the composition.
2020 – today
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks logo, introduced in 2020, is an update of the 2014 version, maintaining continuity in form and symbolism. The “NAU” abbreviation remains centered, enclosed in a yellow outline resembling an axe blade or a shield. Inside the letter “A,” the yellow triangle remains, symbolizing the mountain landscape of northern Arizona and the city of Flagstaff.
The yellow is now flat, without highlights, and the dark blue has deepened, almost black. The contrast has been intensified, and the image appears more cohesive and precise. The font remains unchanged.
The update was technical, focusing on refining details rather than changing the concept.