The History and Evolution of Mississippi State University Colors and Logos

Mississippi State University (MSU), chartered as Mississippi Agricultural & Mechanical College on February 28, 1878, has a rich history and a strong athletic tradition. From its early days as a land-grant college to its current status as a comprehensive university with over 180 degree programs, Mississippi State has evolved significantly. A key part of its identity has always been its colors and athletic logos, which have undergone several transformations over the years. This article explores the history and evolution of Mississippi State University's colors, logos, and athletic traditions.

The Early Years: Maroon and White

On November 15, 1895, the first Mississippi A&M football team was preparing for a game. The A&M student body requested that the school's team select a suitable combination of colors, as every college was supposed to have its own uniform colors. Considering the selection an honor, the inaugural State team gave the privilege to team captain W. M. Matthews. The decision was to use Maroon and White in some sort of combination. These colors have been the foundation of Mississippi State's visual identity ever since.

Nicknames and Mascots

State teams have answered to different nicknames throughout the years. Previous nicknames included the Aggies and the Maroons. In 1961, Bulldogs became the official title for State teams. The use of an official mascot began in 1935 when Coach Major Ralph Sasse, on orders from his team, went to Memphis, Tennessee to select a bulldog.

The Cowbell Tradition

State fans celebrate Bulldog victories loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound of ringing cowbells. Though there's no definitive answer to its origin, the most popular legend is that during a home football game between State and arch-rival Ole Miss, a cow wandered onto the playing field. Mississippi State soundly whipped the Rebels that Saturday and State college students immediately adopted the cow as a good luck charm. The cowbell remains a special symbol of Mississippi State. In the 1960s, two professors, Earl W. Terrell and Ralph L., rung with much more convenience and authority. bulk and the Industrial Education Club agreed to weld on handles.

Football Helmet Evolution

Since switching to plastic helmets in 1949, Mississippi State has worn 54 different football helmet designs. Less than half (20) of those were worn over a 60-year span from 1949-2008. The other 34 come from the last 17 seasons (2009-2025).

From 1949 through 1962, Mississippi State wore white helmets; in 1958 and 59 those white helmets had numbers on them. In 1963, Mississippi State wore plastic maroon helmets for the first time, wearing the Bulldog logo as a decal for the three years from 1963-1965. In 1966, the "Flying M" logo was worn on maroon helmets. In 1967, the Bulldogs switched back to white helmets, wearing numbers in 67, 68, and 72, and the "Flying M" from 69-71.

In 1973, the switch was made back to maroon helmets. An "MS" logo was worn until 1978, with the facemasks switching to white that year. In 1979, the logo was changed to an interlocking "MSU". Stripes were added and the "MSU" logo was altered in 1986. The stripes were removed in 1989 and the logo was altered again in 1996.

Starting in 2000, Mississippi State began wearing white helmets as alternates. In 2004, white helmets became full-time for the first time since 1972, this time featuring the "M-State" logo.

In 2009, maroon helmets became the primaries once again, featuring the updated "M-State" logo. Starting in 2011, the Bulldogs began wearing multiple alternate helmets each season, with base colors such as matte maroon, white, silver, black, and even chrome gold. The "M-State" logo remains the primary, although it has been tweaked countless times over the past decade.

In 2018, the Bulldogs wore a special "Statesman" design featuring a "Mississippi" script on a silver helmet. In 2020, they wore the Flying M logo on the helmets for the first time since 1971. Also in 2020, black helmets were worn for the first time in program history. In 2021, to commemorate the Mississippi State baseball team winning the National Championship, the M over S logo was worn on the football helmets for the first time ever.

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In 2022, a "fauxback" design featuring an "MS" logo on a white helmet was worn along with uniforms honoring Frank Dowsing and Robert Bell. Also in 2022, the script "State" logo was worn on the football helmets for the first time, appearing on both white and maroon helmets. Finally, to honor the late Coach Mike Leach, the Bulldogs wore a pirate flag decal on the left side of the maroon helmets in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl.

The Script "State" helmets became the Bulldogs' primary look in 2023; a version of the white helmet with a perforation pattern was worn in 2024. The maroon "Interlocking MSU" helmet returned as part of a throwback game in 2023. In 2025, a black Script "State" helmet was introduced.

Logo Evolution

The Mississippi State Bulldogs' visual identity has undergone several changes over the years.

1967 - 1986

The original version of the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ visual identity, designed at the end of the 1960s, featured a cool and memorable drawing of a bulldog, confidently walking On a plain white background. The Dog was wearing a burgundy long-sleeved jersey with a white “MSU” abbreviation diagonally written on it in white, and white sports pants. There was no additional lettering or framing on the composition, which stayed in use by the athletic program for almost twenty years.

1986 - 1995

When in 1986 the new Mississippi State Bulldogs logo was unveiled, it became obvious that the design team decided not to make any reference to the Bulldogs nickname in it. Instead, they decided to stick to a typographic logo. The same has been true for each of the athletic crests introduced by the university ever since.

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1995 - 2009

The redesign of 1995 has created a Mississippi State Bulldogs logo, which will stay with the program for decades, with just slight modifications made to it throughout the years. It was a solid burgundy capital letter “M” in an extra-bold geometric serif font, overlapped by an arched white ribbon with folded ends and an uppercase “State” wordmark written across it in a distinctive type, in the same burgundy hue as the “M”.

2009 - 2019

Eventually, in 2009, the current version was introduced. Although it looked very similar to the previous Mississippi State Bulldogs logo, you could see a couple of notable alterations and a light color change.

2019 - 2024

In 2019 the shade of burgundy, used for the body of the “M”-emblem and the lettering on the ribbon, got slightly lighter. The change was barely noticed, since it was a very delicate thing, yet in the new hue the whole badge gained a more lively appearance with an energetic and powerful touch. The logo stayed active for about five years.

2024 - Today

The redesign of 2024 decided to use a dark and pretty dramatic shade of burgundy instead of a light and vivid one. And with this palette, the badge became stronger and more professional, the contrast between burgundy and silver - more visible, and the overall mood of the logo was enhanced. The simple and stable image started looking chic and expensive, representing the teams of the program as serious competitors.

University Logos and Marks

The official academic university logo consists of two elements: the wordmark, which is the words Mississippi State set in a custom typeface called Bulldog, and University set in Futura ND Bold typeface, along with the M-State symbol. The logo is a mark designed to be used as ONE UNIT and shall be identified with a TM until the Federal Trademark Registration is finalized, at which time the identifier will be changed to a ®. The official university logo should be used with all communications produced by the university.

The logo must be surrounded on all sides by the specified clear space to separate it distinctly from any other graphic elements. This clear space and separation from other elements provide graphic impact and preserve the integrity of the mark. Clear space is equal to the height of the letters of the word "UNIVERSITY" from the logo. The clear space varies with the size of the mark.

Do not reproduce the official university logo or university unit logos less than 2 inches in width for the vertical version and 3 inches in width for the horizontal logo in printed material or as specified below for the web. It is expected that the full vertical or horizontal orientations be used. However, where space limitations occur, the Mississippi State University wordmark can be applied. When resizing the logo, it is critical that it be resized proportionately.

Never alter or redraw the logo elements. Do not place the logo elements inside any other shape or combine them with any other symbol or graphic.

The logo can appear in one color: Pantone 505, gray, or black. The white version of the logo (both horizontal and vertical options) can also be used on dark backgrounds such as black or Pantone 505, this option allows for contrast and readability. When possible, the maroon or black versions of the logo should also have the banner displayed in white when printing in full color is an option. Other color combinations that provide sufficient contrast may be allowable in certain situations.

University units include colleges, departments, institutes, centers, labs, and offices. The official university logo represents all Mississippi State University departments and offices; however, an individual unit may wish to identify itself by using the unit name through the use of a university unit logo.

Academic units are not permitted to stack the Script State with their unit name. However, when space or clarity constraints make the full unit logo impractical, units may stack the primary spirit mark (M-State) with their unit name for merchandise or apparel graphics only.

Graphics for programs, campus organizations, clubs, and events cannot be used as a standalone artwork on promotional materials - the piece must include the MSU primary academic logo or sponsoring unit’s logo. Program and event graphics are not limited to using only spirit marks. Developed graphics not using the standard university unit logo look must be approved by the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) prior to use.

Sponsored student organizations may have logos that use the university unit set-up, or use spirit marks with typography including the words “Mississippi State University” and/or “MSU” in combination with the organization’s name. Registered student organizations may have logos that use spirit marks and can use the name of the organization along with “at Mississippi State University” or “at MSU.” They are not allowed to use the university unit set-up as their organization’s logo. Neither sponsored nor registered student organizations may use alternate graphics similar to MSU’s official spirit marks (alternate bulldogs, variations of paw prints, or other illustrations of cowbells) in their organization’s logo.

Along with the official MSU maroon being Pantone 505, below is a sample of approved primary and accent colors that can be used in promoting the academic side of the university in print and on the web. Accent colors may be used to highlight an area in a color that works with maroon. You cannot use the accent colors without using maroon. Note: PMS 202 is an acceptable alternative to use ONLY when producing maroon on an uncoated sheet or material.

The university seal is the formal identifier of Mississippi State University. The seal was adopted by the institution in 1932 and has been modified several times since then. Elements in use since the 1890s include a sword, symbolizing the military character of the early institution, and a key, representing the "key to knowledge." The shield, symbolizing the federal role in a land-grant institution, has been part of the design since its inception. No alterations or overlapping graphics are permitted with the seal. Use of the seal should be restricted to business cards and official university documents, such as diplomas, high-level certificates, awards, annual reports, and letterhead from the Office of the President.

Traditions and Spirit Marks

Marks used by alumni chapters can be downloaded. The athletic and spirit marks are used to communicate school spirit. Spirit marks may not be used in departmental secondary logos; however, the Athletics Department, officially recognized student groups, and alumni organizations may use athletic and spirit marks in their logos with prior approval by the Office of Public Affairs. These marks should be used only when a bolder, more informal look is desired, and never should compete graphically or be used as a substitute for the university's official academic logo. Academic units are encouraged to utilize the institutional wordmark and not the spirit wordmarks ones. While the M-State logo is the most recognizable of MSU’s informal spirit marks, others strongly represent the institution. These are the paw print, outline of Mississippi and star, the bulldog silhouette, and the cowbell.

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