A Classic Look - MSU’s Dunker Logo Highlights 2022 Homecoming
10/27/2022 2:28:00 PM | Football, General
Created by Marshall Garland in the early 1970’s, the logo served Murray State for more than two decades
Among the many endearing traditions uniquely Murray State is the classic Dunker logo that started as a simple sketch to become the official logo of the Racers from the early 1970s through 1
998.
In the anticipation of Murray State's 100th homecoming, Murray State Athletics rolled out the classic Dunker logo to be used as a helmet decal for Saturday's 2 p.m. game against Tennessee State at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.
Lifelong Murray State fan, Gregg Garland, was 13 years old in 1973 when his father, Marshall, was honored for creating the logo. It's not known exactly when Marshall Garland first sketched the Dunker logo, but we do know the classic logo is making a comeback.
"It's something that is very special to me and my family," Gregg Garland said of his father's artwork. Marshall Garland passed away March 19, 2021 at age 86. "My dad wasn't looking to make the logo as important as it turned out to be. It started as an idea from Dr. Dick Stout to promote the M-Club. My dad simply drew it with pen and paper, long before technology made this type of thing easier to do."
Dunker and the Dunker Logo, that is one part of Murray State history up for debate. When exactly did the university begin using the Dunker mascot that fans see at games today and when did it officially adopt Garland's vision as the official logo? Did the Dunker logo come first, or did the Dunker mascot? Either way, both MSU traditions have been enjoyed for decades.
"I don't know which one came first," Gregg Garland recalled. "But I do know the university began using it extensively in the early 70's and you began to see it everywhere. My dad didn't think it was all that great, but he showed an early sketch to my mother, Beverly, and she thought it was fantastic and encouraged him to keep going with it. He donated it to Murray State and was happy that it was something that everyone liked."
The evolution of the Murray State Athletics logo began in the late 1940's when a simple block "M" was used. Marshall Garland's Dunker logo was utilized for approximately 25 years until 1998. Another MSU alumnus, Richard McClintock, created the first MSU logo that featured the "M" with a horse and jockey and it carried the Racers for another 16 years. An updated version of the McClintock's logo was released in 2014 and has remained one of the top brands in college athletics honoring Murray State's horse racing roots from the early days when they were known as Thoroughbreds. Somewhere in the late 1950's, the nickname became Racers.
998.In the anticipation of Murray State's 100th homecoming, Murray State Athletics rolled out the classic Dunker logo to be used as a helmet decal for Saturday's 2 p.m. game against Tennessee State at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky.
Lifelong Murray State fan, Gregg Garland, was 13 years old in 1973 when his father, Marshall, was honored for creating the logo. It's not known exactly when Marshall Garland first sketched the Dunker logo, but we do know the classic logo is making a comeback.
"It's something that is very special to me and my family," Gregg Garland said of his father's artwork. Marshall Garland passed away March 19, 2021 at age 86. "My dad wasn't looking to make the logo as important as it turned out to be. It started as an idea from Dr. Dick Stout to promote the M-Club. My dad simply drew it with pen and paper, long before technology made this type of thing easier to do."
Dunker and the Dunker Logo, that is one part of Murray State history up for debate. When exactly did the university begin using the Dunker mascot that fans see at games today and when did it officially adopt Garland's vision as the official logo? Did the Dunker logo come first, or did the Dunker mascot? Either way, both MSU traditions have been enjoyed for decades."I don't know which one came first," Gregg Garland recalled. "But I do know the university began using it extensively in the early 70's and you began to see it everywhere. My dad didn't think it was all that great, but he showed an early sketch to my mother, Beverly, and she thought it was fantastic and encouraged him to keep going with it. He donated it to Murray State and was happy that it was something that everyone liked."
The evolution of the Murray State Athletics logo began in the late 1940's when a simple block "M" was used. Marshall Garland's Dunker logo was utilized for approximately 25 years until 1998. Another MSU alumnus, Richard McClintock, created the first MSU logo that featured the "M" with a horse and jockey and it carried the Racers for another 16 years. An updated version of the McClintock's logo was released in 2014 and has remained one of the top brands in college athletics honoring Murray State's horse racing roots from the early days when they were known as Thoroughbreds. Somewhere in the late 1950's, the nickname became Racers.
Coach Jody Wright | Racer Football Postgame Comments 9/06/2025
Sunday, September 07
Cam Bulluck | Racer Football Postgame Comments 9/06/2025
Sunday, September 07
Conlee Crossno | Racer Football Postgame Comments 9/06/2025
Sunday, September 07
Coach Jody Wright | Racer Football Press Conference 9/02/2025
Tuesday, September 02
