'W': New and approved

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 23, 2008 by Barbara Hollingsworth

By Barbara Hollingsworth

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Washburn University on Monday shared a new look for the letter "W."

It is thick, blue, tilted slightly and sporting the word "Washburn" across its middle -- a move that helps the university comply with a settlement reached recently with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Badgers had sued saying that Washburn's old "W" looked too much like their well-protected "Motion W."

Washburn will spend the next 61/2 years deleting any reference to the old "W" on uniforms, helmets, the football field, basketball courts and almost anywhere else it is used -- work that is to be completed in phases though Jan. 1, 2015.

If you like the offending "W" better, you can still purchase items featuring it. Washburn's bookstore has six months to sell its remaining old "W" inventory.

The new "W" was released with little fanfare Monday in an e-mail from Washburn's sports information director. Also included on the corner of the new image is a small "TM" for "trademark."

Barbara Hollingsworth can be reached at (785) 295-1285

or barbara.hollingsworth

@cjonline.com.