New graphics celebrate band, football team

Heidi Sarver, director of the UD Marching Band: "I love it. It is extremely colorful and presents the UD Marching Band very positively."

5:11 p.m., April 14, 2005--A new series of photographic images and collages that celebrate UD’s rich traditions of athletic excellence and spirited student performance are helping to spread the Fightin' Blue Hen True Blue school spirit both at home and on the road.

Designed by Keith Heckert, an art director in UD's Office of Public Relations, the larger-than-life murals can be found in the football offices and team locker rooms in the Bob Carpenter Center, as well as on the back and sides of the new UD Marching Band truck.

"Several photographers were assigned to get specific shots of the Marching Band," Heckert said. "We wanted to represent all the different parts of the band. Eventually, we had about 150 images to choose from."

Heidi Sarver, director of the UD Marching Band, said that the colorful wrap, which measures 8-by-24 on each side and 8-by-8 across the back, was made possible by a $5,000 gift from the UD Alumni Association.

"I love it. It is extremely colorful and presents the UD Marching Band very positively," Sarver said. "My favorite panel is the back door. It was President Roselle's idea to put a photo of the interlocking UD formation from our pregame performance on the back door. It turned out great."

"The best reaction [to the truck] so far, has been from people driving down the highway," Sarver said. "Recently, our color guard performed in the Philadelphia area, and people at the show where asking if we were going to be there. Suddenly, the truck pulled into the parking lot, and there were no more questions after that. They knew we were there!"

New murals greet football prospects

A series of images highlighting the achievements of UD's football program, including winning the 2003 NCAA I-AA national championship, greets Fightin' Blue Hen football prospects and players UD’s state-of-the-art athletic training facilities.

Among the photos affixed directly to the walls are images of the Fightin' Blue Hen football team in action, including one of former offensive lineman Jason Nerys and Rick Lavelle holding up the NCAA I-AA national championship trophy after the 40-0 victory over Colgate University in Chattanooga in December 2003.

Among the photos printed on 3M vinyl materials and affixed directly to the walls are images of the Fightin' Blue Hen football team in action, including one of former offensive lineman Jason Nerys and Rick Lavelle holding up the NCAA I-AA national championship trophy after the 40-0 victory over Colgate University in Chattanooga in December 2003.

"The first thing that the new recruits see when they step into the hallway in The Bob near the football locker room and offices is a bigger-than-life shot of Jason Nerys, who is a big guy to start with," Heckert said. "Coach [K.C.] Keeler wanted these potential players to get a firsthand look at these images that reflect the winning tradition of Blue Hen football."

Keeler wanted to enhance the football locker rooms while also showing the strong student support of the team, Heckert said. Each football position also is represented on panels installed in the team's locker room.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

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