Ark Valley News - College strict in stance on logo

College strict in stance on logo
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 08, 2015

It's not exactly a bee they have in their bonnet. But officials with Georgia Tech University continue to insist that the Hornet logo be scrubbed from the Valley Center school district.

The university's attorneys said the district does not have permission to use the logo, which closely resembles the university's own Yellow Jacket image.

District officials have requested more time to accommodate the university's request, suggesting a transition plan.

"We asked them 15 days ago," Valley Center Superintendent Cory Gibson said Jan. 5. "We haven't heard back. Our hope is they work with us."

The district has already directed its staff to refrain from using the logo on paper and digital correspondence as well as school uniforms and merchandise. Retailers have been told not to use the logo as well.

However, Georgia Tech officials told the district they found the logo on social media sites and other online platforms.

Georgia Tech wanted all logos removed immediately, Gibson said.

That included removing them from district structures, such as gym floors.

Gibson said that would be a costly endeavor.

"That's not our desire," he said. "It seems to be theirs at this point. … Our goal, for financial reasons, is we want to phase it out as time goes along."

District athletic officials are discussing the creation of a new logo that can be trademarked for Valley Center.

"Our goal is to bring back options and get feedback from the community because this is a community logo," Gibson said.

Officials hope to unveil options this spring.

Meanwhile, the district is poised to move forward on a contract with Academy Sports to sell apparel with the Valley Center Hornets name and colors, but without the Hornet logo. The school board is expected to vote on the contract Jan. 12.

If approved, it would be the first contract of its kind for Valley Center.

"We have no agreements with big box stores," Gibson said, adding that Academy Sports approached the district with the proposed contract.

The superintendent said Academy Sports is OK without a logo.

"They just want the colors and the name," Gibson said.

The contract would give the district 8 percent of the Valley Center apparel it sells.

Gibson said Walmart also approached the district, but the store wanted to use the Hornet logo.