The Skyhawk Has Wings As Stonehill's New Athletics Logo Is Unveiled

August 2, 2005

Stonehill College today unveiled its new athletic logo as part of the school’s new athletic identity of Skyhawks. The logo, which depicts a mythical bird of flight dressed in classic attire of pilots of early aircraft, was completed after a three-month process by Phoenix Design Works, Inc. of New York City.

The newly unveiled Skyhawk embodies the school colors of purple and white, as the hawk itself sports a scarf and goggles that were worn by “Skyhawk” pilots. The “S” in the word Stonehill is depicted in an “aviators” font, while the “O” in the name is in the shape of a propeller. The word mark of “Stonehill Skyhawks” will also be used in various forms in addition to word mark representations for all 20 varsity athletic programs.

“Today’s introduction of the Skyhawk signals a new chapter in the history of athletics at the College,” Rev. Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C., President of Stonehill College, says of the new logo. “The Skyhawk will undoubtedly create excitement on our campus, and I invite all members of the Stonehill community to welcome our new mascot, which represents how our student-athletes strive to soar to new heights of success.”

The nickname of Skyhawks was selected following a year-long review and assessment which involved Stonehill alumni, fans, friends, parents and administrators and officially became the athletic identity for the College’s 20 varsity programs on July 1st. The Skyhawk nickname refers to an airfield built on the Ames estate on which property the College currently sits upon. The airfield, built by Frederic Lothrop Ames Jr., the great-great grandson of Oliver Ames, included two runways for use by aircraft of that era, and remnants of the airfield are located near Stonehill’s current athletic fields.

In the late 1920’s, Frederick Lothrop Ames, Jr. (Freddy) acquired a passion for aviation and had an airfield built on their property. The Ames Flying Field was one of three fields in Easton and recognized by the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA). The flying field included two runways, an office and a hangar building. The two runways were located on the land next to the present day Holy Cross Center, and remnants of the tie-downs can still be found in the ground today.

The first plane to land on the Ames Flying Field was the Curtiss JN-4, “Jenny,” used during World War I. Freddy used the field for flying to and from Boston. On November 6, 1932, he was killed when his plane lost control in Randolph, Mass. Both the Navy, which during that time employed the aircraft A4D Skyhawk that played an integral role during World War II, and private companies continued to have access to the Ames Flying Field until 1955 when it was closed and became property of the current Stonehill College.

“The hard work of so many has been realized today with our new Skyhawk,” Stonehill Director of Athletics Paula J. Sullivan says of the new logo. “I look forward to the entire Stonehill community helping to build spirit and tradition around our new identity as we link our past with a very bright future.”

The first Skyhawks are set to take flight on Saturday, August 27th when the Stonehill field hockey team begins the 2005-2006 year with a non-league match at Mansfield (Pa.). The formal dedication of the Skyhawk is set for Saturday, September 10th in conjunction with the dedication of W.B. Mason Stadium prior to kickoff of the Stonehill-Pace football game that is set for 1:00 p.m. EDT.