Baseball Wu is history

If you’ve been around Wichita State athletics for more than a year you might have noticed a few key changes from last year, especially when it comes to team logos.

WSU has opted to move toward a more uniform look and has gotten rid of the fan favorite Baseball Wu.

John Brewer, associate athletic director for Marketing and Strategic Communications for WSU, said the decision was made with the baseball staff.

“The goal is to unify all sport programs under one brand,” Brewer said.

Baseball Wu has been a staple among diehard fans that have followed the baseball team through their historic season. WSU baseball has made it to seven College World Series appearances and won the National Championship in 1989.

“It’s a bummer, but I understand why they wanted to change,” said Ron Unruh, a longtime Shocker baseball fan. “It comes with the school’s growing fame. Baseball Wu was a classic and was almost as iconic as the black and yellow ‘W’ hats.”

Fans can still get apparel with Baseball Wu on it, a decision made by the marketing team for WSU.

“The response has been mostly positive considering merchandise with that mark is still available,” Brewer said.

With the new era of WSU baseball underway with head coach Todd Butler, students like senior Shawn Thomas are excited about the team and less focused on the logo.

“I care about a winning team, not a logo,” Thomas said. “We’ve seen a lot of poor baseball lately, and I’m ready to turn it around under Coach Butler. I think making all athletics have the same logo makes Shocker athletics become one family.”