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Miami University of Ohio to force Bozeman High to change logo

Posted at 3:21 PM, Sep 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-29 18:20:06-04

BOZEMAN — Back in March, Miami University of Ohio sent Bozeman High a letter asking it to change its logo given the fact it has a copyright on a similar-looking logo. Now, the Bozeman school will make the change.

“We’re only changing the logo, we’re still going to be the Bozeman Hawks," said Bozeman activities director Mark Ator. "Back around 2000, Miami of Ohio changed their name at the same time we were going through a logo change here, so I think they both ended up on the internet and Miami trademarked it and we didn’t, so that’s where we’re at right now.”

Miami of Ohio requested that Bozeman stop using the logo last March and it followed up with the school as recently as August.

“We’re still working with Miami of Ohio and we’ve never had any concerns and we’ve never heard anything about our logo for 15 years," Ator said. "We’re going to take our time if we’re going to make the change.”

By taking its time, Bozeman High would like a few years to make the change.

“Superintendent (Bob) Connors sent them a letter asking them for a three-year window so we could work on the rebranding, work with our vendors, the student council," said Ator. "Mr. (Dan) Mills our Bozeman High School principal will work on the project so we can make a change.”

There could be some financial impacts with changing the logo, too, mostly within the school.

“There is some Hawk logos in Bozeman High School, so we have to figure out how we’re going to handle that," Ator said. "That’s something that’s also been brought up. If we have to change thing within the school, there might be financial issue with that.”

When the school does officially make a change in its logo, Ator said students will be a big part of the process on what the next Hawks logo will look like.