Vikings Alternate Logo

Cleveland State University is known for its proud history of athletics, and the Vikings have become a beloved symbol of CSU pride. As part of that rich tradition, the school has unveiled several alternate logos to represent different eras in Viking history over the years. From classic designs to modern interpretations, each logo tells a unique story about Cleveland State Athletics and celebrates our commitment to excellence on and off the field.

The first iteration of an alternate logo was introduced in 1987 when CSU joined Division I-A (now FBS). The design featured two “V”s intersecting at their tips with a crossbar underneath them – representing unity within athletic teams and strength against opponents. This design was an iconic representation for nearly two decades until it was replaced by another version featuring three interlocking V's in 2006. It also included elements from previous versions, such as stars above each letter, indicating excellence on all levels.

In 2009, Cleveland State released yet another alternate logo - this time featuring four distinct colors: blue, green, yellow, gold & white-to reflect not only traditional Viking colors but also those used by other schools around Ohio, including rival Akron University & Bowling Green University. This more contemporary look helped bring new life into Cleveland State Athletics while still paying homage to our past successes through familiar imagery like crosses, swords, shields, etc. Finally, last year saw yet another change when we adopted what may be considered one final tribute before moving forward with something completely original; this version features five stripes instead of four, along with some subtle changes made throughout so that it better reflects current trends without sacrificing any historical significance or meaning behind these symbols we hold dear here at CSU!