Rebranded UT San Antonio affirms Rowdy the Roadrunner will remain part of school’s identity

The recently rebranded University of Texas at San Antonio calmed the nerves of Roadrunner fans Monday by affirming that school mascot Rowdy will remain even as it ushers in new branding.

Last week, the UT Board of Regents approved UTSA’s rebranding to UT San Antonio, which includes a fresh logo and modified colors. Online reviews of they school’s new logo were mixed, with some social media users comparing it to Whataburger’s emblem.

“I’m good with the name … the logo is rough,” one observer quipped.

Others were concerned the updated brand package presented to the UT Board of Regents last week included no mention of Rowdy the Roadrunner.

“So, no more Roadrunners?” @BexarCountySocialApparel questioned in a tweet?

Rest easy, Rowdy fans, UT San Antonio Senior Executive Director of Communications Christi Fish told the Current the rambunctious roadrunner will continue to be part of the school’s brand, even if he doesn’t appear on the academic letterhead.

“To be clear, beloved traditions — like our Roadrunner spirit and mascot, Rowdy — remain part of our story,” Fish said in an emailed statement. “Rowdy is still with us, proudly representing a university poised to become nationally preeminent.”

UT San Antonio’s rebranding resulted from its merger with UT Health San Antonio last year. Fish said she expects the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to recognize the merged institution as a single accredited body by September.

However, the rebrand is far more than a visual refresh, according to Fish.

“It is a strategic development of a new brand narrative that reflects a bold, unified vision for who we are becoming together: the third-largest research university in the state of Texas,” she added.

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.