Two weeks after change, OU reverts to old logo

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The University of Oklahoma is going back to its traditional interlocking ``OU'' logo less than two weeks after introducing a shorter, blockier version. <br><br>Alumni did not

Wednesday, September 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The University of Oklahoma is going back to its traditional interlocking ``OU'' logo less than two weeks after introducing a shorter, blockier version.

Alumni did not take kindly to the new version of the logo which was unveiled Aug. 25, so OU President David Boren made the change back to the original logo, university spokeswoman Catherine Bishop said.

``Our alums prefer the straight, lean and mean version. We're all reverting back to the traditional logo,'' Bishop said.

The rejected logo was the brainchild of brand enhancement company SME, which specializes in re-branding collegiate and professional sports teams.

Rick Hart, director of marketing and licensing for the OU athletic department, said the makeover was done for free as part of the school's contract with its licensing partner.

The school had tried the failed logo on things like computer mouse pads, but it was not mass-produced. Hart said he did not know to what extent the logo had been produced on licensed OU products, but said the attempted redesign at least gave the logo true crimson and cream colors.

The traditional long-lettered, interlocking logo was reintroduced by OU officials last year to eliminate a number of interlocking logos on OU products, specifically a slanted version.

The logo was meant to unify the OU look and was meant to be phased out in favor of the fatter version.

But the school will now stick with the traditional version.

Going back to the traditional logo will mean a little work for the grounds crew at Owen Field, which will repaint the middle of the field with the leaner logo, said Kenny Gajewski, who is in charge of grounds maintenance for the athletic department.

He said the stocky logo was not painted on the new soccer field across from L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park.