For the first time in almost a half a century, the Bulldog head has found a home on University of Minnesota Duluth football helmets. The current UMD logo, which has adorned the team's headgear since the 1999 season, is being replaced this fall by the athletic department's other primary logo, the gold Bulldog.

"We thought it was time for change -- especially with the new uniforms we'll be wearing this year," said Bulldog head coach Curt Wiese. "We also wanted to bring back the gold into UMD football."

During its 81 previous seasons of intercollegiate football, UMD has sported the Bulldog (a much different one than the one used today) only twice and that was in 1967 and 1968. The Bulldogs went with a logo-less helmet for 18 seasons before adding an interlocking UMD graphic in 1988 (the change was prompted when interior lineman Dave Viaene was selected to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and UMD athletic officials wanted to make sure UMD got some exposure at that nationally-televised college all-star event).  The interlocking UMD remained on the helmets until Bob Nielson took over as the Bulldog head coach in 1999 and switched to the current UMD logo. One year later, the white helmet gave way to a maroon version, but the logo stayed intact and that combination was a Bulldog staple for the next 13 seasons.

UMD opens preseason camp this Saturday (Aug. 16).