UC Santa Barbara unveiled a new logo August 20 when the women’s soccer team took the field. The new primary logo features the “gaucho” peering over “UCSB” in a forward-moving font. Officials said the new mark maintains “the mystery of the Argentine cowboy and his extreme focus on winning.”

Highlighted in the main logo – and present in all four new marks – is the gaucho’s hat. The hat will accompany the new “Gauchos” and secondary UCSB word mark, along with a “Santa Barbara” logo.

School officials say the hat is theoretically spinning before it settles to the ground and left behind as the Gauchos’ calling card. The hat is intended to be much like Zorro’s “Z,” left behind by the Mexican hero with his familiar burnt initial.

The marks were created by Phoenix Design.

“Being at UC and having the same colors as the other nine schools is unique, but we needed to separate ourselves,” said Athletics Director Mark Massari. “We accomplished that with Pacific blue and Gaucho gold. We now have standards in fonts, logos and color schemes, plus we are playing to our strengths in use of UCSB and Santa Barbara names and Gaucho mascot and his hat.”

Apparel and merchandise with the new logos were made available this week. A wider variety of gear will be available online beginning September 1.