CHICAGO – The University of Chicago's Department of Physical Education & Athletics announced a renaming to the Department of Athletics & Recreation while revealing its new departmental identity and signature logos online Friday morning. The announcement was made in conjunction with the launch of the redesigned Athletics & Recreation website (http://athletics.uchicago.edu/).

"This new name accurately reflects the work that we engage in and the activity that we support," said Erin McDermott, Director of Athletics & Recreation. "We take great pride in sponsoring 19 varsity athletic teams for scholar-athletes and being a member of the University Athletic Association (UAA); facilitating over 40 sport clubs; organizing nearly 900 intramural teams and offering a variety of fitness services including classes and personal training. With this name change, we have also updated our graphic identity across the Department for consistency in our logos."

UChicago Creative – which operates within University Communications – developed new logo marks for the various entities within the Department, including varsity sports, intramurals and sport clubs. The traditional maroon wishbone "C" received a black outline around the perimeter, with a white outline "C" variant for different colored backgrounds. The wishbone Chicago "C" emblem was adopted by the University in 1898 and is worn to the present day.

Usage requests for the updated signature logos can be directed to Nathan Lindquist, Director of Sports Information and Promotions (nlindquist@uchicago.edu).