The Drury Mirror

Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: News

Puma logo

Drury's athletic logo

It's official. The leaping panther is no more.

Despite numerous attempts to alter the Drury Athletics logo to satisfy a trademark challenge by Puma, university officials have started to phase out the leaping panther logo.

Pete Radecki, vice president of institutional advancement, says the university has been in contact with Puma officials since January after theshoe manufacturer first claimed the two logos were too similar.

Puma became aware of logo after Drury attempted to trademark the logo, a process that includes publishing the logo for public review. No lawsuit was issued but Puma did ask for Drury to justify use of the image.

In response to Puma's challenge, Drury submitted a defense document that dated the university's use of the black panther to 1930, although the current leaping panther has only been in use since 2004. Prior to that, a number of panther variations had been used for each of the athletic teams.

Despite a long tradition of use, Puma stands firm.

"We prepared several different concepts for alternative logos that were slight variations on the one that we have now," said Radecki. "Puma did notexpress willingness to support any of those."

Because no mutual agreement could be made, Drury has withdrawn the trademark application, removed the logo from the Drury web site and will discontinue its use on publications. Vendors of Drury merchandise, including Steve and Barry's in the Battlefield Mall, have also been instructed to not print the logo. Signage around campus, road-side signs that display the logo, and even the floor of Weiser Gym will have to be amended.

"We may not like it, we may not agree, but confusion of brands is something that costs companies money," said Radecki.

But this doesn't mean Drury has given up on an athletics logo altogether.

"The baseball caps with the bold 'D' are popular," said Radecki."Hopefully, we'll get through the redesign process over the course of the summer and be ready to launch something in the fall."

Radecki says no design firm has been appointed to facilitate the new design.

Topping the list is Ozark-based The Team who worked to create the current leaping panther logo in 2004.

Those fond of the leaping panther or interested in a potential collector's item may still have a chance to snatch up some remaining goods.

"There's merchandise with the logo that is still for sale," said Radecki. "But when that's all gone, it's gone for good."

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