Celebrating the start of another academic year in ‘Big Blue Country’

SUNY Fredonia increasing community spirit with new signs, memorabilia in local stores, restaurants 

SUNY Fredonia is so excited about the start of the 2021-22 academic year, and the return of most on-campus activities, that it wants the greater Fredonia/Dunkirk community to know about it.

So, administrators are taking SUNY Fredonia spirit directly to local businesses.

“There has always been a strong partnership between SUNY Fredonia and the communities of Fredonia and Dunkirk,” said Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “We want to increase the visibility of SUNY Fredonia in the places where our students and employees eat and shop.”

“The Northern Chautauqua education and business communities have been avid supporters of the campus for many years,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Cedric Howard. “This new marketing initiative will focus on increasing exposure for the campus throughout Chautauqua County and Western New York, as well as the SUNY Fredonia alumni populations.”

SUNY Fredonia is delivering brand new displays in the form of framed athletic jerseys and colorful window signs. The athletic jerseys represent most of SUNY Fredonia’s intercollegiate athletic programs. All have number 26, which symbolizes the university’s upcoming bicentennial in 2026. The window signs say “Welcome to Big Blue Country” with Fredonia branding which includes its iconic blue color.

While they will place a select number of framed jerseys in businesses throughout the two communities, window display signs will be offered to 100+ businesses so they can show their pride for their local university. 

Dr. Howard and SUNY Fredonia Director of Athletics and Recreation Jerry Fisk delivered the first jersey to Pucci Carpet One Furniture and Bedding on West Main Street in Fredonia on Aug. 12. 

"The Pucci family is proud to have three generations of students graduated from SUNY Fredonia and 50 years of service to our local community as a Woman Owned Business,” said Katie Pucci-Schaeffer, owner of Pucci Carpet One Furniture and Bedding and SUNY Fredonia Class of 1993. “It is a great honor to be part of Big Blue Country!”

SUNY Fredonia is also making plans to turn the window signs into yard signs and make them available to the public for purchase, with proceeds benefiting scholarships at the university. Local business owners who would like to put their Big Blue spirit on display can contact the Division of Enrollment and Student Services via email to reserve a “Welcome to Big Blue Country” sign.