(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

modern and fierce

RDP unveils ‘bold’ new logo for Kings and Queens athletics

Jun 23, 2022 | 1:27 PM

Bold, modern and fierce were words used to describe the new logo, unveiled Thursday, for Red Deer Polytechnic’s 15 athletics teams.

The change comes as the institution recently became a polytechnic, transitioning from a college to one with more degrees, and a new vision for the future.

Officials with RDP say the crown — as well as those descriptors — was identified most often during consultations, which included two virtual sessions and an online survey.

“Our student-athletes, coaches, donors, sponsors, alumni, Athletics stakeholders, and central Albertans expressed their affinity for the Kings and Queens to continue wearing the crown as a way of honouring the legacy of excellence within Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President, Red Deer Polytechnic.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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“With a history of 25 national titles and 182 ACAC gold medals from individual student-athletes and teams, Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics has cemented itself as a premier program in the ACAC and across the nation, and the Crown has become an identifiable symbol of that success.”

RDP has been competing in athletics since Red Deer Junior College, as it was, opened in 1964. Since, approximately 5,000 student-athletes have donned the name Kings or Queens on their jersey.

Previous iterations of RDP jerseys and logos. (RDP)

The polytechnic currently has 15 teams competing in seven sports, with numerous national championships won along the way.

“The new Red Deer Polytechnic brand was unveiled on October 1, 2021, and this included a new logo,” says Kristine Plastow, Dean of Students. “As a result of the changes, the brands of the Polytechnic and Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics were not aligned, so we engaged with stakeholders to better connect the two. With the bold and modern features of the updated crown, along with the single green colour, the relationship between the two brands is now strongly correlated.”

Allan Ferchuk, in his circa 1978 Red Deer College Kings jacket. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Allan Ferchuk, who came to Red Deer College from the University of Lethbridge in 1973, and served as Kings hockey coach as well as athletic director and academic chair for nearly 20 years up to 2010, gave his stamp of approval.

“I like the new logo a lot,” said Ferchuk, who attended the unveiling in a bright yellow Red Deer College Kings jacket from 1978. “Red Deer Polytechnic is a new education delivery model and I think it’s a great model for central Alberta. I see this as a real opportunity for students to receive university-level training and high-quality trades training which can lead to jobs.”

“Within that theme of going forward,” Ferchuk elaborated, “I think they’ve respected the legacy of the crown and the names tremendously. I’m quite impressed.”

More information is at rdpolytechathletics.ca.

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