Macomb Community College unveils athletics logo

New logo first to represent “Monarchs” since name coined for the college’s athletic teams in 1967

Macomb Community College unveiled today its first-ever logo to represent the Monarchs, the college’s nine athletic teams and more than 100 student-athletes. The new logo features a lion’s head topped by a royal crown, symbolizing Macomb’s athletic prowess.

“When I first heard we were the Monarchs, I didn’t really know what that meant, because there was nothing associated with it,” says freshman women’s basketball player Carissa Hankins. “We’re the Monarchs, but we’re not a butterfly. So, what are we? Nothing came to mind.”

Monarchies have long used the lion as a prominent symbol in their heraldry to signal strength, power and courage. Other key traits frequently ascribed to the lion include protection, family and resilience.

“Our new Monarchs logo provides an identity for our student-athletes to rally around,” said Bryan Rizzo, director, Athletics, Macomb Community College.  “The traits the lion symbol embodies reflect the strength and resilience we work to foster within each Macomb student as an athlete, as well as attributes that will help support them as they pursue education, career, family and community life.”

The new logo creates a strong brand for the Monarchs and an identity from which to connect with the community. Macomb baseball coach Taylor Grzelakowski is excited about what the new logo offers Macomb student-athletes and the community at large.

“It brings another dimension to the athletics department as a whole,” he said. “It’s just something that’s going to pique the interest of our players, parents, audience – everyone involved.”

“The traits of a lion would be tough, fierce, defending their territory and also family,” said Matt Fecht, Macomb cross country coach and former student-athlete. “I think that describes the program we’re trying to build with the cross country program. We’re making a family atmosphere. We’re going to go out there and we’re going to be tough.”

For some student-athletes, playing at Macomb is a chance to play at the collegiate level for two years while they pursue their educational goals. For others, it provides the opportunity for four-year programs to see how they continue to develop after high school.

Ensuring Macomb’s student-athletes are successful students is a key focus of Macomb Athletics, with resources provided to assist them academically. Macomb’s teams have had a cumulative 3.1 GPA for the past two seasons. Grzelakowski, who also serves as the student athletics success coach, works to ensure the athletes are earning their associate degrees.

“We’re not only going to make sure we hammer grades,” said Grzelakowski. “We’re making sure everyone moves on and makes going to Macomb worthwhile.”

Macomb’s teams include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, softball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s track and field.  The Monarchs compete in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) as members of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA). They have won six NJCAA championships, 57 regional titles and 61 MCCAA regular season championships, with 241 student-athletes named NJCAA All-Americans.

From more information about the Monarchs, follow the teams on social media or make plans to attend a game, visit MacombMonarchs.com.

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is about transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development. Macomb grants the largest number of associate degrees in Michigan and is the largest community college in the state. The college provides programming for youth through seniors, including early college for high school students, university transfer and career preparation programs, workforce education, continuing education and certification, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities encompassing arts, culture and lifelong learning.

Contact: Sean M. Patrick, 586.445.7271, patricks28@macomb.edu