Sports Roundup

A new look for Bronco logo

The Department of Athletics and Recreation this summer unveiled new Bronco logos and word marks designed to represent the University’s rich athletic history while appealing to a variety of demographics. The new family of logos is expected to enhance revenues through licensing royalties and extend the University’s brand into retail outlets. The primary mark introduces a new Bronco logo that has been absent from the athletic department for several years, while the block SC has received an update that provides more dimension and definition. In addition, the department will continue to use cardinal red and white as its official colors, while utilizing gray and black as accent colors in many of the new logos and marks. “We have a great deal of respect for the history and tradition of Santa Clara and we worked to retain that,” says Richard Kilwien, associate athletic director. “However, the lack of a marketable mascot logo the past several years has inhibited our ability to extend the Santa Clara brand. Together, with the help of Collegiate Licensing Company, we should be able to expand our apparel selection and place products bearing our logo into more retail outlets.” SCU’s athletic teams have been known as the Broncos since November 1923. Hubert Flynn, S.J., professor of philosophy at Santa Clara, is credited with creating the mascot. After attending a rodeo, he wrote: “The Bronco is a native westerner, a chunk of living dynamite, not very big but game to the core. He can kick and oh boy how he can buck. If you turn him loose in an open field his speed outstrips the wind. The real Bronco is closely identified with the old Santa Clara Mission days of the Padres, when large herds of cattle roamed their lands and annual roundups were held. The Bronco’s distinctive traits typify all we could wish for in an athletic organization.” Afterward, the student newspaper endorsed the mascot and from that point forward, athletic teams at SCU have been known as the Broncos.

Cheryl Levick resigns as athletics director

Cheryl L. Levick resigned her post as director of athletics and recreation in mid-June to accept a similar position at Saint Louis University in Missouri. Levick, a St. Louis native, has spent the last four years guiding the 17-sport Bronco program. “Cheryl Levick has done a wonderful job in leading our intercollegiate, recreational, and club sports programs,” said SCU President Paul Locatelli, S.J. “Cheryl has added momentum to the athletics program and I expect the next person in that position to continue the progress that she has made,” he added. “Saint Louis University is a distinguished Jesuit institution. This is a personal and unique opportunity for Cheryl to return home to be near her family, and we wish her the very best.” Levick was the first female athletic director at SCU and the first female athletic director in the West Coast Conference. During her tenure, she spearheaded a major renovation of SCU’s basketball arena and received a $42.75 million commitment from the University’s capital campaign.

Softball coach to pursue other opportunities

Softball head coach Marcy Crouch announced her resignation after five seasons to pursue other opportunities. Her teams won two league championships, including the 2004 Pacific Coast Softball Conference crown in May. Crouch had been named the PCSC Coach of the Year the past two seasons. While coaching, Crouch took classes at Santa Clara’s Leavey School of Business and graduated in June with an MBA.

Bronco student-athletes have a great year in the classroom

Ten Bronco student-athletes earned spring All-Academic honors from the West Coast Conference. Men’s tennis led the way with three honorees. Baseball and women’s tennis each had two representatives. Members of the men’s golf, women’s crew, and women’s golf teams also earned recognition. During the fall season, the Broncos had seven student-athletes selected to All-Academic teams.