Native American Motifs

Syracuse Chiefs

Current Logo:

Cap Logo:

Alternative Logo:

 Logo 1997-2006:

Logo 1987-1996:

Logo 1961-1979:

The current logo contains the text 'chiefs', and incorporates train symbology in a very stylised manner. Colours silver, blue, white and black merge to give a metallic stylized look.

The logo is trying to play on the theme of the railway chiefs such as the Super Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles, and Amtrak's Southwest Chief. This is despite the fact that neither went anywhere near New York's city of Syracuse. The baseball club is trying to tap into that tradition of railway chiefs, despite having not exactly earned it.

The Syracuse Chiefs didn't have the train theme in its initial years. Initially the Montreal Royals, they moved to Syracuse in 1961 and had the rename. Their logo became an illustrated representation of a native American's head, complete with feathered headdress. It became very stylized in 1987. Ten years later they were re-branded as the Syracuse SkyChiefs in an attempt to respect native Americans. However they have reverted back the the 'Chiefs' and now have the new train logo.

While changing the 'chiefs' meaning to 'railway chiefs' tries to respect native Americans, even the 'railway chiefs' themselves had their name and theme derived from Indians. Also of note on the Syracuse Chief's website was the 50th season anniversary logo: it has a traditional native feather headdress draped over it. If this is a show of respect, it seems to be a very shallow one.

Sources:
http://www.csrmf.org/
http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Haben/Life/4-18-38.htm
http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=936
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t552