When did we earn our Tiger stripes? Exploring USN branding
Ever wonder how USN got its colors and branding? Celeste Green ’27 and Abigail Manoukian ’27 visited the school Archive to find out. This article originally appeared in The Peabody Press, the High School student-run newspaper.
By Celeste Green ’27 and Abigail Manoukian ’27
Every University School of Nashville student recognizes Columbia blue, garnet, and Tigers as the colors and mascot symbols of our school, but was it always this way? And where did this branding come from?
Back
Every University School of Nashville student recognizes Columbia blue, garnet, and Tigers as the colors and mascot symbols of our school, but was it always this way? And where did this branding come from?
These questions are surprisingly difficult to answer due to the fact that, unlike some of our peer schools, USN does not have a formal uniform besides sports jerseys. Thankfully, USN vintage sports uniforms and yearbooks can reveal some information.
In 1888, long before USN even existed, there was a school called the Winthrop Model School. This school was run by George Peabody College, which may not have had athletic jerseys, merchandise, or color photos to leave for posterity.
However, it did have a yearbook. USN’s official archivist, Kat Trammell ‘99, traced our current school colors from a 1908 yearbook titled: “The Garnet & Blue.” This yearbook is the first documented mention of USN’s iconic colors in history, meaning they have been part of our history for 116 years.
Read the full article in The Peabody Press here.
Read the full article in The Peabody Press here.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Get ready to roar during Homecoming 2026
Read MoreK-12 Tigers and their families can share their school spirit by dressing up on themed day and returning to campus Friday, January 16 for the HS Habitat for Humanity Club's Spaghetti Supper and basketball games. -
Start 2026 right with Evening Classes' Inspire & Thrive series
This specialty series consists of three incredible courses designed to help you start the new year feeling strong, healthy, and inspired. Our full catalog will be announced in January, so stay tuned for updates on our other incredible offerings. Proceeds benefit USN's K-12 need-based scholarship endowment.Read More -
End the year with impact, generosity
Read MoreMaximize your 2025 tax benefit while supporting University School of Nashville by Wednesday, December 31. Mark these important dates on your calendar:- Tuesday, December 23 is the deadline for stock gifts.- Wednesday, December 31 is the deadline for postmarked check, and midnight Central time is the deadline for online gifts.
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.