Seeing the light
For centuries, beacons have guided ships in the most perilous
waters to safety. Quite often, a beacon was the only light sailors
could see in the black of night. The light was reassuring. Hopeful.
Sustaining. It helped ships stay the course. A beacon of light has
since become synonymous with any source of guidance and
inspiration. The word "beacon" became part of the heritage of the
City of Boston in the 1780s, when a beacon stood on what is now
called Beacon Hill. Today, Beacon Hill, the most historic and
elegant neighborhood in the city, is recognized as the essence of
Old Boston.
Lighting the way
Paul Finnegan, one of the first administrators of athletics at
the University of Massachusetts Boston, recognized the symbolic
importance of the beacon. In fact, he became a beacon in his own
right. In the early 1970s, Finnegan established intramural and
recreational athletics for UMass Boston students at the
university's first campus in Park Square, with programs on the
Boston Common and at the Greater Boston YMCA. Knowing that the
campus would be built on Boston Harbor, where beacons guide ships
from all over the world, Finnegan believed a beacon would be the
ideal symbol to represent UMass Boston and its athletic teams.
Shine on
With good reason. The beacon is a symbol of hope and guidance.
As a light that is never extinguished, it represents a constant. A
promise that, if you persevere, you will reach your destination. As
the city's only public university, UMass Boston guides students to
a better future. It offers promise to those associated with the
university that they can shine. Rise above. Realize their hopes and
dreams. It reflects UMass Boston Athletics. UMass Boston athletic
teams have been known as the Beacons since 1974. In 1982, an
official logo was rendered. It remained for almost 20 years, but
this friendly cartoon character failed to capture the drive and
determination of UMass Boston's athletics. However, the new Beacon
logo does exactly that and more.
Our logo, like our program, conveys light, strength, and
endurance. We have an intensity of focus, a relentless pursuit to
achieve. We endure in the darkest of outlooks. With a substantial
international student-athlete population, we are a beacon for
diversity. In fact, we are the only college or university in the
country with a Beacon as its mascot. Appropriately, this is UMass
Boston, a university like no other.
