When the Copperheads board of directors needed someone to create the mascot and logo for the new team, the decision was an easy one to make and they didn't have to go very far. Local artist Tad Gallaugher works in the University Publications department at Ohio University and has been known as one of the area's best artists since he came to the area in 1979.
Gallaugher has worked for a number of major companies in the area, and his work has been used by many community and civic organizations. Gallaugher, who is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art, also worked with many of the colleges in southern Ohio. He has worked with Copperheads board members Dave Palmer and Dr. Andy Kreutzer. Local sports fans may remember his artwork from "Friday Night Fights," an event that used to be hosted by the OU sports administration program.
Once "Copperheads" was chosen as the team's name, Gallaugher could get to work. From the starthe thought Copperheads was a good nickname for the team. "I liked that the idea for the mascot wasn't necessarily ferocious, but it was still a dominant mascot," said Gallaugher. "With a dominant mascot, you can hype it up a bit which makes it exciting and is attractive to younger fans."
Hype it up he did. The resulting logo is one part baseball, one part snake and one part attitude. The Copperhead is coiled in the middle of the diamond ready to strike visiting opponents. The green, orange and gold logo took about two weeks to design, create and finalize.
The mascot and logo will be stitched and printed onto numerous shirts, jerseys, caps and other merchandise supporting the team. In short, Gallaugher's creation will be all over the squad and a large part of the team's identity in its freshman campaign.
Gallaugher, who is a sports fan and whose children participate in athletics locally, will be excited when the team takes the field wearing his artwork. "It's a special charge seeing your work in action. It's unique, not just for personal reasons, but in putting something out there for the community to appreciate," Gallaugher said.
As the season moves through the summer and the Copperhead logo becomes a regular on the heads and chests of southern Ohio baseball fans, he will continue to feel that charge.
"It's great being able to contribute to the community, with everyone enjoying the team, the game and logo. It'll be great seeing the community enjoy the logo and display it, whether on a t shirt, cap, Frisbee or foam finger in the stands."