ROCHESTER, Mich. -- The Oakland men's and women's soccer programs will feature a new look in addition to the University's bear head logo this fall. Senior Emma Voelker, midfielder for the Golden Grizzlies, designed three shields to be used by the men's program, women's program and interchangeably between the two teams.

"There is probably nothing more visually recognizable in our sport than a shield or crest," said Juan Pablo Favero, who is entering his second season as the Golden Grizzlies' head women's soccer coach. "From club teams in every league in the world, to the National teams who will be representing their countries at this summer's world cup, every soccer team has a shield. While this is true to the MLS and most soccer clubs in the US, the college game has been slow to adopt this unique to soccer feature and we are so excited to be able to add this to our programs."

The creation of the shields exemplifies Oakland University Athletics innovation, becoming one of the first programs in the country to display a team-issued shield for its program.

"Shields, badges and crests are a tradition of soccer clubs throughout the world for hundreds of years and are symbolic of tradition, history, and prestige of the club," said men's soccer head coach Eric Pogue. "The Oakland soccer badge is important in continuing to symbolize our tradition and history of excellence and successes that dates back to our first year in 1973 and fast forward now going into our 45th season of Oakland men's soccer this fall."

Fans will begin to see the shield on team related materials such as schedule cards, posters, social media graphics and even uniforms.

Voelker, a graphic design major that reigns from Commerce, Mich. worked with both programs to form a vision to create the three shields.

"This has been such a great opportunity to give back to our program that has done so much for me and my teammates," Voelker said. "I've had a great time combining two of my biggest passions through this exciting process. We wanted this crest to not only represent our current program but also pay tribute to the programs from the past. I am looking forward to seeing the future success of our programs and adding to the legacy that is Oakland University soccer.

"We are really proud of Emma and the quality of the design she came up with for our shields," Favero said. She was able to capture exactly what we were after in creating a new look for our soccer programs while still allowing us to #WEARtheBEAR."