‘It’s like Christmas Day’: Team announces name for first pro soccer club in Madison
Forward Madison FC becomes name by community vote
MADISON, Wis. — Forward Madison FC unveiled its team name Sunday at an event at the Wisconsin State Historical Society.
The name was chosen through an online crowdsourcing effort while Planet Propaganda created the logo, Managing Director Peter Wilt said in a release.
“Kudos to Madison soccer fans for submitting the name Forward and voting for it above all the other submissions. This was the most popular name submitted in the crowdsourcing efforts and received the most votes throughout the process. Incorporating the state motto ‘Forward’ is appropriate as it reflects the team’s continuous drive to be a national leader,” Wilt said.
The logo features the pink flamingo made iconic 40 years ago when University of Wisconsin-Madison covered Bascom Hill with plastic flamingos.
Flamingos are a big part of the new team. The bird is part of the crest because it’s the city’s official bird. Yep. A plastic pink flamingo. #news3 pic.twitter.com/x7x5hd4myI
— Amy Reid (@amyreidreports) November 18, 2018
“We thought, ‘That would be fun,'” Wilt said. “It’s filled with a little bit of whimsy and irreverence, and sports shouldn’t be too serious.”
People at the event Sunday were able to buy merchandise to support the team.
Merch is already available for Madison’s new pro team. The name, logo and colors were just announced today. #news3 pic.twitter.com/uOcTLdkQ9j
— Amy Reid (@amyreidreports) November 18, 2018
Brandon Tracy watched the name unveiling wishing it had been around when he was still playing soccer.
“This is something that many of us have been looking for for 20, 30 years,” Tracy said. “We didn’t necessarily have the support built up through the youth of the community, so seeing this means the strength of our soccer community is quite… strong.”
Open tryouts for the team were held on Saturday while team managers have also been scouting for talent outside of the state and country.
The team will begin play in 2019.
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