Amanda Knapp
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers' basketball team colours are red, black, white and silver. The team's jerseys are red, black and white, and fans wave red towels at games. The colours are part of the team's logo and visual identity, which were updated in 2017 by Rickabaugh Graphics to include a red towel wrapped around an outline of the state of Kentucky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Hilltoppers |
| Team Nickname | Big Red |
| Colors | Red, White, Gray, Black |
| Logo | Red Towel with the letters "WKU" |
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What You'll Learn
The primary colours are red, black, white and silver
The official colours of Western Kentucky University are red and white. The athletics teams of the school, the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers, have a mascot named Big Red, a huge, furry, lovable creature designed by WKU student Ralph Carey. The colour red is synonymous with the university's athletic heritage, with fans waving red towels at sporting events.
In 2017, Western Kentucky University unveiled new athletic logos and marks, adding two new secondary colours to the existing palette: black and grey. The red and white palette has been a long-standing combination for WKU, with red towels becoming a symbol of the university's rich athletic tradition. The new colours were chosen after 18 months of research, including interviews and meetings with students, coaches, and athletes. The addition of black and grey brings a modern twist to the university's visual identity, with black, in particular, being an essential trim colour in modern graphics.
The WKU grey can be substituted with Pantone 877 Silver, according to the university's official brand guidelines. This provides a more premium and polished alternative to the standard grey shade. The introduction of silver adds a touch of elegance and versatility to the colour palette, allowing for more design possibilities.
The primary colours of red, black, white, and silver represent the spirit and energy of Western Kentucky University's athletic programmes. The colours are used across various applications, from uniforms to promotional materials, fostering a sense of unity and pride among the WKU community. The university's commitment to maintaining a strong visual identity ensures that its athletic teams are instantly recognisable.
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The 'Red Towel' is a symbol of WKU's athletic heritage
The Red Towel is a symbol of Western Kentucky University's athletic heritage and has been described as an "essential staple" of the university. The Red Towel tradition began in the 1940s after World War II when athletes at WKU started taking towels, prompting Coach E.A. Diddle to request that the towels be dyed red to ensure athletes had clean towels to use. Diddle, who had previously waved a white towel at basketball games, began to wave the red towel, chew it, twist it, throw it in the air, and even cry on it during games. The red towel became an icon and a symbol of WKU's athletic department.
The Red Towel athletics logo was developed in 1971 by former Hilltopper student-athlete, coach, and athletic director John Oldham, who made a sketch of the logo in a memo to Dr. Chuck Crume, a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education and Recreation. Oldham asked Crume for "a drawing that looks like Coach (E.A.) Diddle waving a red towel," and Crume responded with the formalized logo. The Red Towel logo has since become a symbol of WKU's athletic heritage and is recognized nationwide.
The tradition of the Red Towel has been kept alive by the university's presidents, coaches, and students, and it has become a point of pride and unity for the WKU community. The Red Towel is often waved by fans and students at sporting events, and it has been featured on apparel and merchandise. In 2021, WKU Athletics celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Red Towel logo with a commemorative, retro red towel given to fans at a basketball game.
The colors red and white are the official colors of Western Kentucky University's athletics team, the Hilltoppers. The Red Towel has become an iconic symbol of WKU's athletic heritage and is deeply rooted in the university's history and identity.
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Secondary colours are grey and black
The official colours of Western Kentucky University are red and white. The school's athletic teams, the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers, have a mascot named Big Red, and their primary athletics logo is a red towel with the letters "WKU". In 2017, WKU introduced two new secondary colours: grey and black. Grey had been part of the Hilltoppers' colour palette until the 1950s, and black is an essential trim colour in modern graphics. The new colour scheme was unveiled alongside a new family of athletic marks and icons, including a red towel wrapped around an outline of the state of Kentucky. The university's brand guidelines specify that the WKU grey colour can be substituted with Pantone 877 Silver.
The red and white colour scheme has been a longstanding tradition at WKU. The "Big Red" mascot, a huge, furry, lovable creature, was born in 1979 and made its debut during the 1979-80 basketball season. The red towel has become synonymous with WKU athletics and the outstanding athletic heritage of the university. The late coach E.A. Diddle, one of the most successful coaches in history, was often seen with a red towel during Hilltopper basketball games. He would chew on it, throw it, cry on it, wave it at fans, and use it to signal his players. Today, fans at Hilltopper sporting events wave red towels as they cheer for their team.
The introduction of grey and black as secondary colours adds a modern twist to the traditional WKU colour scheme. Grey has a historical connection to the university, having been used in the past, while black provides a sleek and versatile trim option for graphics and apparel. The updated colour palette allows for more variety and creativity in the design of uniforms, logos, and promotional materials.
The new colour scheme and athletic marks were carefully designed to maintain the history and tradition of WKU athletics while bringing a fresh and modern look. The project was a collaborative effort between the university and a renowned graphic design firm, involving extensive research and input from various stakeholders. The result is a vibrant and expressive visual identity that enhances the appeal and recognition of WKU athletics on a national scale.
With the addition of grey and black as secondary colours, WKU athletics has gained a new dimension of visual appeal and versatility. The colours provide a neutral backdrop that complements the vibrant red and white primary colours. This allows for a wide range of design possibilities, from uniforms to marketing materials, ensuring that the WKU brand stands out and resonates with fans and the wider community.
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The colours are used for all sports uniforms
The official colours of Western Kentucky University are red and white, and these colours are used for all sports uniforms. The athletics teams of the school are nicknamed the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers, and their mascot is Big Red. The red and white colour scheme has been long-standing and is often accompanied by a red towel, which has been a primary athletics logo since 1971. The red towel is synonymous with the university's successful coach, E.A. Diddle, who used to clutch a red towel during games.
In 2017, Western Kentucky University unveiled new athletics logos and marks, including two new secondary colours: grey and black. Grey was actually part of the Hilltoppers' colour palette until the mid-1950s, and black is an essential trim colour in modern graphics. The new logos and marks were designed by Rickabaugh Graphics of Gahanna, Ohio, and were the result of 18 months of research, including interviews and meetings with students, coaches, athletes, and more.
The new designs carefully maintain the history and tradition of the university's colours and mascots while adding new icons and energy to enhance their appeal and recognition. The red and white colours are used across all sports uniforms, including basketball and football. For example, the football team's helmets are red, with seven position-specific Big Red decals, and the basketball team also has a red and white uniform.
The university's brand guidelines specify that the WKU Grey colour can be substituted with Pantone 877 Silver. The colours red and white are also reflected in the SVG logo on the Hilltoppers' website.
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The colours are available in a variety of clothing items
The official colours of Western Kentucky University's basketball team, the Hilltoppers, are red and white. These colours are available in a variety of clothing items, allowing fans to show their support and represent the team.
The WKU Store offers a range of apparel and merchandise featuring the team's colours. Fans can purchase items such as t-shirts, polo shirts, caps, sweatshirts, hoodies, and jackets. These items are perfect for everyday wear and allow fans to showcase their team spirit wherever they go. The store also offers a range of wholesale clothing items, providing fans with the opportunity to purchase items in bulk and at discounted rates.
In addition to the WKU Store, there are other retailers that offer clothing items in the Hilltoppers' colours. These retailers may include specialty stores, promotional product sellers, and online marketplaces. Fans can find items such as dresses, vests, sweaters, cardigans, and bottoms that incorporate the team's colours. Some retailers may also offer accessories like bags, towels, and headwear, providing fans with a range of options to showcase their support for the basketball team.
The colour red in the Hilltoppers' palette is often associated with their mascot, Big Red, a furry, lovable creature that represents the spirit of Western Kentucky University. Apparel featuring this vibrant red colour is sure to catch attention and showcase the wearer's affiliation with the university and its basketball team.
Fans can also expect to find clothing items that utilise both red and white colours together, creating a bold and striking combination. This may include items like striped t-shirts, two-tone hoodies, or jackets with coloured accents. By incorporating both colours, fans can clearly display their support for the Hilltoppers and create a visually appealing look that stands out in a crowd.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary colours of the WKU Hilltoppers basketball team are red, black, white and silver.
The colour red is synonymous with the WKU Hilltoppers' outstanding athletic heritage. The team's former coach, E.A. Diddle, who led the team to 759 wins, was often seen with a red towel during games—waving it, chewing on it, and even crying on it.
Yes, grey and black were added as secondary colours to the WKU Hilltoppers' colour scheme in 2017, with grey being a part of the original colour palette until the mid-1950s.
