HHS Soccer Logo

As student-athlete Devin Harris entered the soccer complex, you could see the morning heat waves radiating off the turf. He walked over to his coach, Chad Niedert (the revered boys' soccer coach who led the team to region titles in 2018 and 2019 and made it to state runner-up in 2018). The two stared out onto the field, taking in the scenic view. This is when Coach Niedert initiated the idea of a soccer logo with Devin.

“I passively mentioned my idea about creating a soccer logo to Devin at a morning training session,” Niedert said. “Wanting to elevate the sport's visibility and the team’s accomplishments.”

“Coach thought it would be cool. I believe Coach Niedert came to me with the idea in my junior year (because) I was invested in doing graphic design work. So, he kind of hinted at me maybe making a logo for the soccer team. I worked very closely with him to

create it,” said Harris.

The design of a soccer logo is more than just a logo; it embodies the values of the team it represents. This essay explores the creation of our HHS soccer logo and how its colors and symbols communicate information about our team. We uncover the deeper meanings behind its design choices to understand how it resonates with fans and the community to establish a brand in the competitive world of high school sports.

“I thought it’d be nice to have something specific for the soccer programs aside from the “H” or the Bluebird. We wanted it to be true to Highlands, but specific to the boys' soccer team,” Niedert stated.  Since the soccer team’s home field is in Tower Park, the final logo was a perfect fit!  

“As Devin walked into the evening training session that same day, he told me he emailed me some options and wanted to see what I thought,” Niedert said. “It was 6-7 options with slight differences. The logo was largely complete at this point. The only suggestion I had was to incorporate the soccer ball to make the logo distinctly soccer-specific.”

Niedert remembers another cool thing happening around the program at the time, the sense of unity among the boys' and girls' teams. The two teams were very close and often hung out. Soon coaches and parents ordered spirit wear bearing the new logo, so they were also dressed for success while cheering on their athletes.

“I can’t say enough about these guys,” said Niedert. “2018 was a special season, a special group of guys.”

The creation of the new soccer logo wasn’t the only exciting thing that happened to HHS soccer that season.  Another thing that made 2018 even more special and impressive, is that both the boys and girls soccer team made it to the state championships. The boys soccer team lost  in the final game to Louisville, St. X by a small margin of 1-0.  Even though both the boys and girls came in second, barely falling short of the state titles, it was a remarkable year for the HHS soccer program.

Right after the completion of the boys' state championship soccer game, James Weber Journalist for Cincinnati Enquirer interviewed coach Niedert who was quoted as saying, “...The only thing I could have wanted more is for this trophy to be gold, but I’m super proud of these guys and I love every one of them.”

“Highlands’ state runner-up all-tournament picks were junior, Porter Hedenberg, senior Luke Schweitzer and senior Devin Harris,” journalist James Weber stated.

When asked to reflect on 2018 today, Niedert still remembers that time as being one of unity and the start of something new. 

It has been fun to revisit the rich tradition and stories surrounding this logo. The soccer logo people see today is the same one that brought a new face to Bluebird soccer and elevated the tradition of excellence for Highlands High School Soccer and the community that supports them. Current and future HHS soccer teams should wear the logo with pride and live its values, including playing excellent soccer, showing superior sportsmanship and extending unity in supporting both the boys’ and girls' programs.