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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Hounds reveal new crest, kits, TV deal and stadium expansion

Considered one of U.S. soccer’s lower division’s historical franchises — the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, founded in 1999, unveiled a striking new crest on Friday that gives tribute a variety of things, forging a new identity for our city’s pro soccer franchise.

At a season ticket holder event in a packed Highmark Stadium suites, the crest was revealed — as the soccer club swapped out the long-time “Hounds head” logo – the trademark of the club since 1999 – for a traditional badge look to coincide with an off season of growth and change.

The first look at the crest shows a slightly busy emblem that is pretty determined to pay homage to a bunch of different things from the City of Pittsburgh’s official black and gold crest, to bridges, the rivers, to a paw print as an ode to the Hounds, a soccer ball, because, well, they’re a soccer team — and of course the name Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC connected by the bridge artwork.

But hey — that’s just one reporter’s initial assessment.

Here’s some of the initial reaction:

https://twitter.com/JohnCraiHammond/status/964667943111069701

Indeed, there’s been a a bunch of build-up and excitement for the Hounds this off season, and on Friday, we saw the kickoff of a symbolic ‘new era’.

In addition to the new crest, with local TV reporter Bob Pompeani hosting the festivities, the team also provided some more details of Highmark Stadium’s expansion to 5,000 seats, announced that all 17 road games will be broadcast on Pittsburgh’s CW — and head coach Bob Lilley introduced each of the players already on the team’s roster with one exception (Kenardo Forbes). The final three players came in wearing the Hounds new kits for the season.

The stadium expansion details were shared by Highmark Stadium general manager Kevin Johnson, who said that it will come in two sections: with a significant expansion to East end of the stadium where the Steel Army / Paul Child Stand is located and VIP seating along the field, with two rows of fold down seats.

Johnson also announced that WQED will be involved as a sponsor in a new Family Zone section. More details about the family zone will be provided as we get closer to the season.

Defender Joe Greenspan was sporting the team’s gold kit, Kevin Kerr away black kit and Romeo Parkes in the team’s alternate white kit.

Joe Greenspan, Kevin Kerr and Romeo Parkes showing off the Hounds new kits

“Big fan, especially of the black one, it was a nice variation of kits,” Kerr said, as he and his teammates came out to packed room of more than 250 people in the Highmark Stadium suites. “It’s crazy, you can see how much work was put in behind the scenes, and they’ve got things going in the right direction. When I saw the layout, and I had that feeling it was very professional, like an organization that’s headed in the right direction. It’s night and day from when I got here over five years ago.”

The Hounds are now a member of the burgeoning USL, which confirmed its place as the second division of professional soccer in the states and will be complimented by the planned expansion of Highmark Stadium to 5,000 seats.

“Tonight was meant to be a celebration of the excitement for not only the upcoming season, but also our fans and their support of this club over the past couple years,” Riverhounds SC owner Tuffy Shallenberger said. “This logo, this new era, has been something I’ve wanted to give the fans for a long time and I couldn’t be happier to see it all finally become a reality. We hope everyone can see the passion and dedication that went into this entire process, as we look to continue to build on and off the field and become part of this city’s rich sports culture.”

Both Kerr and Shallenberger have been with the team through a lot of the ups and downs in the past five years — and on a night that they’re celebrating moving forward with a newer sense of excitement and hope, the franchise’s most tenured player is very glad the team’s owner has remained steadfast and committed to the franchise.

“It’s been a rough ride the past five years, and he has enough stress in his life and he could have walked at any point,” Kerr explained. “But when he came in he made a couple of vows — and you know — he’s kept his word. Now, we have to go out and do our part — and produce some results on the field.”

Here’s the official explanation from the Hounds on the meaning of the new crest, which Shallenberger also said came together quickly during the course of the off season:

The new badge is rooted in the sporting culture of Pittsburgh. First and foremost, it is adorned primarily in Black and Gold to further solidify the club’s standing alongside the three major professional teams in the city. Traditional colors of the Steel City itself (most notably in the city’s official crest), Black and Gold signifies a considerable shift for the club’s identity from its original “brick and mud” scheme in its inaugural season to the blue used through the opening of Highmark Stadium.

Paying homage to the 446 bridges that grace the landscape of the city, a literal bridge links the words Pittsburgh and Riverhounds SC in the outer band of the badge. The architectural elements are a direct inspiration of Fort Pitt Bridge, which has provided a formidable presence in the West Side backdrop of Highmark Stadium since the club began play at that location in 2013. Furthermore, a checkered pattern anchors both sides of the city name, drawing from the city’s crest as well.

A uniquely shaped shield centered within the badge provides striking character, inspired directly from capstone elements within the entryway of the Allegheny County Courthouse located downtown. Split diagonally in Black and Gold, the crest holds the defining qualities of the club and is bookended by “1999,” the inaugural year of play for the Hounds. Within the shield is a soccer ball, as well as a “Hounds” paw to forever link the club with the Riverhounds name.

The shield is buoyed in the element of water, as the three levels of waves represent the three rivers of Pittsburgh – the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio.

Finally, the typography is custom, in direct inspiration of a wealth of unique examples found throughout the city defined primarily by a flare serif quality.

The new brand identity was developed by Portland, Oregon-based graphic designer, Brian Gundell – briangundell.com. Gundell specializes in graphic design for athletics organizations, having worked with major brands such as Adidas, Nike, Under Armour and numerous professional teams, such as the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, LA Galaxy and D.C. United.
The Riverhounds began play in 1999 as a member of the USL-A League. The club has kept the Riverhounds name almost primarily throughout its existence, adding “FC” for a short spell during 2005-06. The addition of SC (short for ‘Soccer Club’) to the club name provides little doubt to what Riverhounds SC represents as a brand moving forward and its place in the soccer world both nationally and globally.

Here’s a look the Hounds crests/logos through the years:



John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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