Savannah State Tigers Logo PNG
The Savannah State Tigers logo depicts a tiger positioned above the abbreviation. The tiger symbolizes strength, assertiveness, and the drive for victory, underscoring the athletes’ determination.
Savannah State University’s athletic tradition began soon after its founding as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth in 1890. The institution adopted the “Tigers” mascot to symbolize strength and resilience and formed its first official football team in 1915.
The 1920s saw the addition of basketball and track and field programs. In 1928, the university constructed its first Gymnasium, which facilitated the expansion of its athletics program. By 1947, Savannah State joined the Southeastern Athletic Conference (SEAC), marking the start of organized competitive play.
Athletics continued to grow after the team joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in the 1960s, earning multiple football championships. Women’s sports officially debuted in 1971, expanding athletic opportunities for students.
The basketball program rose to prominence in the 1980s, regularly contending for SIAC championships. The university transitioned to NCAA Division I in the late 1990s, officially joining in 2002, making it Georgia’s first historically Black public institution to reach that level.
In 2010, Savannah State joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where the men’s basketball team won the regular-season title in 2012. Facility improvements followed, with significant renovations to Tiger Arena in 2015 and Theodore A. Wright Stadium between 2020 and 2022.
In 2019, financial considerations prompted a return to Division II and SIAC, restoring traditional rivalries and stabilizing athletics operations. As of 2023, Savannah State continues its historic athletic legacy within the SIAC framework.
Meaning and History
What is Savannah State Tiger?
Savannah State University is a historically Black university in the picturesque coastal city of Georgia, where athletic teams perform well. With blue and orange colors shining brightly at Theodore A. Wright Stadium and Tiger Arena, teams compete in various sports, including football, basketball, and track and field, as members of the NCAA Division II.
2001 – 2011
The Savannah State Tigers logo, introduced in 2001, features a stylized tiger’s head in a rich blue shade (Reflex Blue). Instead of a detailed portrait of the animal, the designers used abstract stripes and decorative elements to create a recognizable, modern tiger image through the interplay of lines and shapes.
The tiger’s head is set against a large red brushstroke in the shape of an arc, applied as if with a wide brush. The red color adds aggression and emotional intensity, contrasting with the cool blue shade of the tiger figure. The official university colors, Reflex Blue and Burnt Orange, are used in the logo and on athletic uniforms and other official materials.
2012 – today
The next version of the Savannah State Tigers logo, introduced in 2012, features a full-body tiger. It is depicted in an attacking stance. The animal’s image is energetic and aggressive. The tiger is shown leaning on the SSU abbreviation, with outstretched paws, fangs, and claws that emphasize its fighting spirit.
The university abbreviation “SSU” is rendered in large, slanted, diagonal letters, visually supporting the tiger’s pose and enhancing the sense of motion. The emblem’s color palette combines orange (Burnt Orange), blue (Reflex Blue), and white.
At the bottom is a two-level inscription, “Savannah State University,” in bold, italic blue with an orange outline. The font complements the emblem’s athletic style and visually unifies its elements. Altogether, the logo’s elements convey the university’s spirit and athletic traditions.