A new Blue: Charger Blue evolves as UAH expands mascot’s role across campus and community

A new way to show Charger Blue: UAH’s latest branding evolution introduces a collection of new Charger Blue illustrations, giving the beloved mascot more ways to represent UAH across campus, events, communications and the community.

Courtesy UAH

Charger Blue has been a familiar face at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) for nearly four decades, cheering on Charger Athletics, entertaining students and making appearances at events across campus. Now, as UAH continues to evolve its branding architecture, Charger Blue is stepping into an expanded role as a more visible goodwill ambassador for the university. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.

As the next phase of UAH’s recent branding initiative, the university is introducing a new collection of Charger Blue mascot illustrations that will give the character a more versatile presence across university communications, events, merchandise and campus experiences.

Charger Blue has a wardrobe for every occasion: The new illustration collection gives UAH the flexibility to show Charger Blue in a variety of looks and outfits, bringing his personality and UAH spirit to different campus events and experiences.

Courtesy UAH

“This is the next step in bringing our brand to life in more ways and in more places,” said Kristina Hendrix, vice president for strategic communications at UAH. “Charger Blue is one of the most recognizable and beloved parts of the UAH experience, and giving him a more versatile visual identity allows us to bring that personality into more of our campus and community interactions.”

The mascot evolution also includes a refreshed Charger Blue costume, which recently made its debut during UAH’s Week of Welcome activities. While the updated costume maintains the familiar look students, alumni and fans recognize, Charger Blue has been more visible than ever during WOW, appearing at events across campus and sporting an expanded wardrobe.

“The evolution of Charger Blue builds on the work we started with our new athletic logo,” says Hendrix, noting the suite of “spirit marks” introduced alongside the new UAH Athletics branding. “Together, they give us a more modern, consistent look and help keep the focus where it belongs — on UAH.”

Throughout the fall semester, Charger Blue will be visible across campus and in the community, making appearances at university events and connecting with students, alumni, fans and friends of UAH. He will have a particularly big presence during Family & Friends Weekend, Sept. 24-27. Students and their families can look for opportunities to meet Charger Blue, snap a photo together and take home giveaways featuring the new illustrations.

“Our campus community has grown, and our brand identity is evolving with it to reflect where UAH is today and where we’re headed,” says Hendrix. “Charger Blue is an important part of that identity, and this next step gives us more opportunities to bring him to life across campus and in our community.”

Charger Blue through the years

For generations of Chargers, Charger Blue has been part of the UAH experience: from the stands and sidelines at athletic events to campus celebrations and special events. His look may have changed over the years, but his role as a source of school spirit has remained.