Cowboys Primary Logo

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to the McNeese Cowboys. The school has a proud history of athletic success, and its primary logo has been integral to that tradition for many years. This blog post examines the history behind the McNeese Cowboys' primary logo and its evolution.

The original McNeese Cowboys logo was created in 1964 by graphic designer Jim Farrar Jr., who also designed logos for other schools such as LSU and Tulane University. This original design featured a cowboy hat with crossed lassos on either side; beneath it was two stars representing Texas (where most of the team's players originated from). The colors used were navy blue, white, and red – all still present today – although some minor details have changed throughout its lifetime.

In 1991 another designer updated this classic design slightly by adding more detail to both stars; they now feature five points instead of three each, which gives them a more significant visual impact when viewed together with other elements on uniforms or merchandise items bearing the mark. Additionally, he removed one lasso from either side so only one remains in front view while keeping their placement symmetrical across both sides of the hat brim line. Finally, he added "MCNEESE" lettering underneath the main illustration to ensure everyone knew who was represented!

As time passed, minor changes continued to be made. Still, the overall essence stayed the same until 2016, when a new version was rolled out, featuring a bolder outline around star shapes and thicker lines between the letters “M” & “C,” giving it an even more substantial presence. Other updates included a brighter color palette and additional shading inside the central image area, making the whole thing pop off the page!

Today, forty-six years after the first introduction - the iconic MCNEESE COWBOYS LOGO still stands proudly amongst college sports fans everywhere, signifying the strength & pride associated not just university itself but the entire region surrounding Lake Charles, LA community too! So next time you see someone wearing gear sporting these famous graphics, remember how long the journey went into creating the perfect combination of style + substance that makes up what we know today!