Stanford Cardinal Logo PNG
The Stanford Cardinal logo has been based on a large red (cardinal) letter “S” since at least 1997. It has not looked the same throughout the years, though.
Meaning and history
The inception of Stanford Cardinal is intertwined with the establishment of Stanford University itself, conceived by Leland and Jane Stanford in 1885 as a memorial to their son, Leland Stanford Jr., who passed away from typhoid fever. The university’s athletic identity, adopting the cardinal red color as its emblem, evolved concurrently with the institution’s academic development. This name and color choice symbolize the university’s spirit rather than representing a specific mascot.
Stanford Cardinal’s journey in collegiate sports is marked by a series of illustrious achievements, setting it apart as a powerhouse in the realm of American college athletics. It boasts a rich history of NCAA championship victories across diverse sports, including notable triumphs in tennis, golf, soccer, and volleyball. Beyond collegiate competitions, Stanford has been a significant contributor to the Olympic Games, with its athletes consistently excelling and adding to the United States’ medal count.
In the contemporary sporting landscape, Stanford Cardinal upholds its prestigious stature. It is distinguished not only for its athletic prowess but also for its commitment to academic and athletic excellence, fostering well-rounded development in its student-athletes. This dual emphasis continues to reinforce Stanford’s legacy as a preeminent institution in both educational and sports circles.
What is Stanford Cardinal?
Stanford Cardinal represents the vibrant athletic dimension of Stanford University, fielding teams in multiple sports within the NCAA Division I framework. Its storied legacy is characterized by a blend of academic and athletic distinction, consistently producing Olympians and notable athletes. This prestigious program stands as a beacon of holistic excellence, symbolizing the unity of intellectual and physical pursuits.
1966 – 1979
They used a big red ‘S’ as an emblem in the beginning. The font was a basic college serif style many other teams use.
1979 – 1989
The serifs were cut down in this version, while the letter in general was stretched vertically. The coloring became a darker red shade with two outline layers of white and red. A green pine tree was placed in front.
1989 – 2002
The oldest logo on this list featured only the “S.” Its cardinal body was broken down into two parts by a thinner white “S” placed inside it.
2002 – 2015
On the 2002 logo, the letter had a more generic style – it was solid with thin white and cardinal trim. A green tree was placed on the forefront. The tree is a member of the Stanford Band. It symbolizes El Palo Alto, the Redwood tree that is the emblem of the city of Palo Alto.
2015 – Today
In 2015, the logo was slightly updated. The shades of red and green were altered in a very subtle way. The white gaps below the tree and behind its top part disappeared.
Stanford University athletic program
The athletic program comprises 36 varsity teams, including 18 women’s teams and 14 men’s teams, as well as teams in such co-ed sports as fencing and sailing. The list of varsity sports includes beach volleyball, football, baseball, gymnastics, lacrosse, and basketball, to name just a few. The teams share the same emblem, so the Stanford Cardinal football logo does not differ in any way from the school’s primary athletic logo.
Stanford Cardinal Colors
CARDINAL RED
PANTONE: 201 C
CMYK: (0,100,65,34);
HEX: #8C1515;
RGB: (140, 21, 21)
COOL GRAY
PANTONE: COOL GRAY 11
CMYK: (48,36,24,66)
HEX: #4D4F53;
RGB: (77, 79, 83)
BLACK
PANTONE: PROCESS BLACK
CMYK: (0,0,0,100)
HEX: #2E2D29;
RGB: (46,45,41)
WHITE
HEX COLOR: #FFFFFF;
RGB: (255,255,255)
CMYK: (0,0,0,0)
