Creating a powerful and immersive environment for athletes is a critical part of any sports program’s success. Saint Mary’s College recognized the importance of branding and visual storytelling in fostering school spirit and inspiring their student-athletes. Through a partnership with Sequoia Signs, the college transformed a key athletic space, ensuring that history, achievements, and future aspirations were seamlessly integrated into the basketball environment.
A Growing Partnership
The relationship between Saint Mary’s College and Sequoia Signs started with facility banners and ADA signs but quickly expanded into major branding projects. Over the years, owner Megan Schnurr, and the team at Sequoia Signs, have worked on sign projects for multiple sports, including baseball, tennis, and basketball, as well as the recreation center and the prominent lawn in front of the pavilion.
Most recently, the athletics department, led by Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations Ryan Reggiani and basketball Head Coach, Randy Bennett, sought high-impact signage solutions that would elevate the college’s basketball presence. This project involved the internal branding of the hallway that serves as a transition from the men’s locker room to University Credit Union Pavilion courtside, the home of Saint Mary’s basketball program.
The Vision for the Hallway Project
As Head Coach for his 24th season, Coach Bennett had a vision for the basketball hallway — an visually attractive and inspiring passage that conveyed storytelling through photography, timelines, and achievements. The goal was to create a “rally hallway” that celebrated the team’s rich history, successful players, and significant milestones to inspire and motivate players as they enter the court.
Challenges and Design Considerations
Initially, a contractor provided some signage as part of a larger facility update, but the team wanted more. Saint Mary’s basketball needed something more dynamic and cohesive the incorporated their recent athletics branding update. Sequoia Signs was brought in to bridge the gap, combining the college’s new branding with historical elements to create a compelling visual journey for players.
A key design challenge was ensuring the signage was visually striking, complemented the existing signage and was adaptable for future updates. To achieve this, Sequoia Signs used acrylic letters and panels overlaid on vinyl wall wraps. This approach allowed for easy updates to statistics and achievements without disrupting the overall design. The use of dimensional lettering added depth, making the signage feel like true artwork rather than posters.
“It’s such a pleasure working with SMC to bring their space to life. They had several categories that they wanted to highlight in one space so it was critical that we organized it and transformed it into readable and motivating information utilizing custom signage options.”
– Megan Schnurr
Material and Fabrication Choices
To maximize visual impact while ensuring longevity, Sequoia Signs carefully selected materials and finishes:
- Luster vinyl was chosen over gloss for the wall vinyl to prevent excessive reflection while maintaining depth and color vibrancy.
- P99/P95 panels, typically used for ADA signage, offered a balance between a matte and glossy finish to enhance contrast while allowing the background content to remain visible.
- Acrylic panels with vinyl lettering features the team milestones and allows for flexibility, ensuring that the signage could grow alongside the program.
Project Execution and Reception
The project was a collaborative effort between the coaching staff, athletic department and Sequoia’s design team. After gathering historical photography and fact checking the statistics, Sequoia Signs converted these assets into a powerful storytelling vehicle that evoked emotion and pride. Some simple color enhancements on black and white photos highlight the school’s bold red and blue colors; while the muted overlay on the achievement panels showcased the stats. Through teamwork and creative collaboration, the final installation transformed the hallway into an inspiring space that resonated with both players and coaching staff. The coaching team and athletic department expressed great satisfaction, with additional projects already in discussion.
Takeaways for Athletic Programs
This project is a testament to the power of intentional branding in athletic programs. It highlights Sequoia Signs’ expertise in interior branding and their commitment to working closely with clients to bring visions to life.
For organizations and schools looking to elevate their athletic facilities, this project offers valuable insights:
- Establishing a strong partnership with an experienced design team ensures clarity in vision and execution.
- Branding does not have to be expensive—simple enhancements can make a significant impact.
- Using adaptable materials allows for ongoing updates, keeping signage relevant for years to come.
With Saint Mary’s College Men’s Basketball program now equipped with a visually engaging and historically rich athletic space, the focus shifts to future branding projects. Sequoia Signs remains a key partner in helping institutions tell their stories through thoughtful, high-quality signage that stands the test of time.