The UConn athletic department unveiled its new version of the Husky dog logo Thursday.

"We are proud to share with everyone the new visual identity of UConn athletics, which includes a new Husky dog logo," athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement released by the school. "Our student-athletes and coaches strongly believe that the new logo boldly reflects values such as pride, loyalty, strength, determination and athleticism. They are all very excited to wear it into competition and to see it displayed prominently in our facilities."

The UConn athletic deparment worked with Nike to evaluate all parts of its brand, including word marks, logos and uniforms, for the past 14 months. The new Husky dog logo will be featured on uniforms for every one of UConn's 24 athletic programs in 2013-14 and each of those uniforms will also prominently display the block UCONN word mark outlined in red.

UConn will be part of the new American Athletic Conference beginning this fall.

"This logo is everything that a Husky is supposed to be - powerful, aggressive, determined. It is looking right through you and saying, 'Do not mess with me,'" said Geno Auriemma, who guided the women's basketball team to its eighth national championship Tuesday night. "This is a streamlined, fighting dog and I cannot wait for it to be on our uniforms and court."

- Day Staff Reports