From Red Deer College

RDC will engage community in Athletics rebrand

RDC has a proud Athletics legacy and, as it transitions to Red Deer University, the College has decided to take the opportunity to rebrand and rename the Kings and Queens teams.

“As RDC undertakes the exciting process of rebranding to become Red Deer University, we began to look at the names of our Kings and Queens Athletic teams. While these names have served us well, this is the ideal time for us to evolve and adopt names that are not gender based,” says Dr. Peter Nunoda, RDC President. “Red Deer University Athletics needs a new team name that is common for men’s teams, women’s teams and mixed teams. This forward- thinking approach will reflect the values of the institution and RDU Athletics.”

The rebranding and renaming will involve several steps. As with the rebranding process that occurred for RDC’s university transition, there will be an opportunity for community members, along with those from the College, to provide feedback at two focus group sessions that will be held on February 11.

“Community members have always been huge supporters of RDC and RDC Athletics teams,” says Nunoda. “During this time of transformational change within our organization, we are excited to engage with the community and those from across the College to help us bring a refreshed identity for Athletics to life.”

RDU Athletics rebranding focus groups

February 11, 2020 | 11 am to 1 pm OR 5 to 7 pm
Cenovus Energy Learning Common | RDC main campus  

Register at rdc.ab.ca/communitysession

Participation is limited, so people who are interested are encouraged to register for a session soon.

Those who are unable to attend one of the sessions will still have the opportunity to provide feedback by completing an online survey, which will be available atrdc.ab.ca/athleticsurvey from January 8 to February 14.

Once all of the feedback has been collected, then work will begin to determine the new brand and name that is a best fit for the future RDU Athletics. A common team name will be used beginning in the 2021/2022 season.

“While we’re looking to the future as RDU Athletics, the history of the RDC Kings and Queens will still be remembered and celebrated,” says Nunoda. “For 56 years our student-athletes, coaches and teams have been successful at all levels of competition, and they’ve also been recognized for their academic excellence, fundraising and volunteering. All of these qualities will carry into the new RDU Athletics brand, which will be an important part of Red Deer University moving forward.”

The History of RDC Athletics: Red Deer College has an impressive athletics tradition, as the Kings and Queens teams were established in 1964 when Red Deer Junior College first opened in its temporary location in Lindsay Thurber Composite High School. Since then, RDC Athletic teams and individual student-athletes have won 25 National Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, 171 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team and individual titles. Our student-athletes and coaches have received countless individual honours both for academic and sporting achievement. This year, the College has more than 180 student-athletes competing in seven sports on 15 teams.

For more information on RDC Athletics, please visit: rdcathletics.ca | twitter | facebook | instagram