The year of 2014 brought us many great moments in University of Illinois Springfield Athletics. To close out the year, the Prairie Stars will count down the top 14 moments of 2014. Events will range from academic successes, winning games and highlighting individual accomplishments. Countdown will be in chronological order beginning back in the start of 2014.

#5 UIS Announces New Brand Identity
Six months after the decision for UIS to keep the Prairie Stars nickname, the University of Illinois Springfield Department of Athletics debuted its new look on August 1.

In an official announcement at the home of Prairie Star Athletics – UIS unveiled its new brand identity and gave those in attendance water bottles, buttons, t-shirts and more.

Director of Athletics Kim Pate gave background into how the identity came to be and what went into the process. She wanted to give our students, alumni, the campus and community will have a greater sense of affinity and pride with the Prairie Star Athletics name.

Studio Simon, based in Louisville, Ky., designed the logo with the input of a focus group. The initial four concepts were narrowed down to one in early March. Studio Simon then continued to tweak and add marks to get the athletics department a full brand identity – something it has not had before.

The new logos include 11 main marks that are a combination of navy, Vegas gold and white, while also providing clean-looking one-color marks. In addition, sport-specific logos and word marks were developed to continue the brand throughout many formats. UIS also has two stars to use as a symbol of the Prairie Stars nickname in addition to a standalone Prairie Stars word mark.

At the announcement, UIS athletics also announced a new athletics tagline, Rise Here – Rise Now, to provide a focused message that celebrates the student-athlete experience at UIS. The tagline resonates with a growing and developing athletic program and the upwards trajectory that it is moving while providing tremendous personal development opportunities for Prairie Star student-athletes to acquire leadership and other essential life skills to prepare them for life after college.


#5 - Debuting the NEW Prairie Star logos
#6 - SAAC Raises Highest Amount for Make-A-Wish
#7 - UIS sets academic records
#8 - STARS Club reaches new heights
#9 - Baseball Earns First GLVC Tournament Berth
#10 - Main Sets Division II Singles Win Record
#11 - Golf Thrives in 2014
#12 - Smith Sets Single-Season Strikeout Record
#13 - Men's Basketball finishes strong; earns best start
#14 - Women's Basketball 1,000 Point Scorers