A Strong Red

Santa Clara’s signature red has been around since the late 1800s. Before it was made official, though, we were almost the blue Broncos.

Lauren Loftus
18 Oct 2023

The origins of Santa Clara University’s signature color are hazy.

University Archives materials show student athletes chose to sport red and white uniforms as early as the 1880s. Not long after, one alum claimed, a group of students proposed making the color combo official in honor of the sacred heart. Meanwhile, a faculty member claimed that the red came from the California state flag.

Whatever its roots, SCU red is ready to play.

Red Times Two

Red Times Two

Officially, according to the SCU branding and marketing team, the SCU red is 201 on the standardized Pantone Color System. But somewhere along the way, a deeper, more maroon red—202—was introduced into University print materials. Which do you prefer?

Go, Fight, Win

Go, Fight, Win

Not long after Santa Clara adopted its colors, it got a fight song. Written and arranged by Winnie Cutter 1905, the lyrics swell: “Remember the right and might of red and white when Santa Clara warriors fight.”

Blue Broncos?

Blue Broncos?

In a November 1932 issue of The Santa Clara, Tommy O’Connell, S.J. 1891 recounted his experience with pals pushing the school president to declare official colors for the University. O’Connell said two proposals were made: “Red and White in honor of the Sacred Heart, and Blue and White in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin.”

A California Red

A California Red

In a follow- up 1932 Santa Clara article, former faculty moderator of athletics Patrick Foote, S.J. recalled that athletes chose red and white uniforms “because of their pleasing appearance.” When students later petitioned to make that combination official, Foote agreed that it was a nice homage to the California bear flag.

Popularity Contest

Popularity Contest

According to the NCAA, the most popular colors among U.S. colleges are quite patriotic: white, blue, red, black, and gold.

Research by Trisha Aquino ’21. Photos courtesy Santa Clara University Archives, stock, and Santa Clara University book store.

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