NC State’s official spirit marks and athletic logos include the modern “Block S,” “Wolf Head”, “Strutting Wolf” and “Slobbering Wolf” logos. These are vital and beloved symbols of our university — and especially its athletics programs — that have been in use for decades.

These logos and marks remain the exclusive property of NC State and are not permitted to be used without express written permission from the university’s Office of Strategic Brand Management.

Usage and Brand Rules for Spirit Marks

• No alterations: Do not stretch, distort, change official colors, or remove the embedded white outlines or strokes for any of the marks below.
• No additions: Do not add any items to the marks, such as hats, clothing or flags.
• Standalone use: Never combine two separate marks or overlay them onto distracting textures or patterns.
• Approval requirements: All uses of NC State spirit marks require approval from the Office of Strategic Brand Management via [email protected] or NC State’s trademark licensing agent, the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC).

“Wolf Head” Logo

The Wolf Head logo is the primary Athletics logo for NC State University. There have been several iterations of the wolf head mark over the years, but this general version has been the consistent model since the 1960s. It was updated to its current form in 2005. Derivatives or alterations of this mark are not allowed.

“Block S” Logo

Today’s standard Block S logo is composed of the colors red (Pantone PMS 186), white, and black. For applications where the standard logo isn’t practical, such as engraving, etching, stamping and other production techniques, the single-color Block S can be used. The embroidered Block S is for embroidery only and should not be used in printing or silk-screening applications.

“Strutting Wolf” Logo

In the early 1960s, Tuffy the Strutting Wolf first appeared, and this basic graphic became the standard. In 2005, Tuffy was updated to allow more consistent reproduction and a more modern appearance. Tuffy always struts with his left foot forward, and he always wears a red sweater with the Block S and a round hat with the university’s name, NC State, in all caps.

“Slobbering Wolf” Logo

A longtime fan favorite, the Slobbering Wolf logo is an alternative version of the Wolf Head logo, both of which have been in use since at least the 1960s. The Slobbering Wolf was updated to its current form in 2026. Derivatives or alterations of this mark are not allowed, though a vintage version is included in the NC State College Vault Collection.