HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University unveiled its new athletics logo on Wednesday at the campus faculty/staff picnic.

The new logo incorporates the Norse Viking helmet with two crossed swords in the background with the words “NKU Norse” resting just above the helmet. The new graphic replaces the Norse warship, which had been NKU’s athletics logo since 1992.

The process of deciding on the new logo took more than a year and involved input from many groups, including athletics staff, student-athletes, boosters and NKU administrators.

“We were looking to modernize our athletics logo and make it more appealing than the previous static logo,” said NKU Associate Athletic Director for Development Kurt Moeller. “Hopefully we have created a couple of new marks that will help develop additional revenue streams for the University.”

When used in full color, the logo will features the school colors of gold, black and white. Moeller also noted that the new logo will have a rejuvenating and lasting effect on the student-athletes, students, fans and alumni of NKU.

Moeller said the change in logos will create “a powerful, professionally-done athletic identity” for NKU.

The logo was designed by Dan Simon of Studio Simon in Louisville, Ky.