The Nashua Silver Knights have unveiled a new logo to further celebrate the history of Holman Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Nashua Silver Knights)

NASHUA — The Nashua Silver Knights are getting a new look, as part of the ongoing celebration of Holman Stadium’s place in history.

After twelve years, the local Future Collegiate League’s entry is introducing new team branding as the team enters their thirteenth season in 2023. The new branding embraces the City of Nashua and pays homage to the deep history of baseball at Historic Holman Stadium.

The newly unveiled cap logo features a metallic silver “N” flanked by open, black wrought iron gates.

“The iron gates are a distinct symbol for Nashua being nicknamed the ‘Gate City’ and we modeled them after Holman Stadium’s actual gates and design,” explained team General Manager Cam Cook. Cook continued, “The logo is representative of Nashua’s Holman

Stadium being southern New Hampshire’s destination for elite baseball players, generations of families, and countless fans for over 85 years since 1937.”

There’s another reason for the design as wel.

“As we prepare this May to celebrate Holman Stadium’s status along the

Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, it is fitting that our design’s open gates are also welcoming and inclusive in a nod to our home’s iconic heritage as the site of the first racially integrated team in American baseball, ” Cook said. “We are so proud of the fact that Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella courageously broke baseball’s color barrier on these hallowed and beloved grounds as members of the Nashua Dodgers in 1946.”

The other concept that the team revealed is a corporate logo that will be featured on newly designed player jersey sleeves this summer.

The top of the logo is an arched wrought iron gate in the same style as the concourse tunnels of Holman Stadium that lead into the seating bowl and out to the ballfield. Centered in the wrought iron gate is a baseball. Below the stylized team wordmark is a night sky in a playful acknowledgement of the team’s name.

The six stars in the sky represent each of the team’s six league championships in its history.

“You’ll see that there is plenty of space for more stars in that night sky,” Cook said with a grin.

Beneath the starry night sky is a familiar backdrop of towering pine trees similar to the tree line viewable beyond Holman Stadium’s outfield fence. Anchoring the concept is the team’s fierce eyes logo that they have used since 2011.

Since the organization’s inception, the Silver Knights used a helmeted knight logo with variations including crossed bats, fierce eyes, and the team’s wordmark overlaid.

For the latest updates to the organization’s visual identity, the team turned to designer, Brian Bednarski.

“Brian Bednarski is a superbly talented designer who specializes in baseball concept generation and organizational branding,” GM Cook said. “Brian has been a designer for Futures League teams for over a decade and we were lucky to engage him for this project.”

“I was thrilled when Cam Cook and John Creedon asked me to collaborate with them to update Nashua’s branding. Their passion to celebrate Nashua’s baseball history and historic Holman Stadium while evolving the club’s existing team branding is exactly the type of design project I love to put my energy towards,” Bednarski said. “The Creedons have been a great family to

work with over the years. Their drive to build a community around a baseball organization, both in Worcester and Nashua, is inspiring. They do things right.”

Nashua Silver Knights players will be wearing new caps/logos, and new game jerseys will be unveiled soon. (Photo courtesy of Nashua Silver Knights)

As the sole remaining franchise from the Futures League’s original four teams in 2011, the Silver Knights have enjoyed a successful history — most notably, their six FCBL championships, including last year’s.

There is also a litany of individual player success throughout the team’s history including three Commissioner’s Award-winners, over 30 MLB Draft picks, and several All-Futures League stars. Furthermore, Silver Knights players hold six single-season records and 12 Futures League individual career records.

In addition to the success the Silver Knights have enjoyed in the Futures League, they are now the longest running franchise/tenant in Holman Stadium history as the team enters its 13th season in May.

Cook said the fans and the city are a huge reason for that.

“Nashua is a very special baseball community,” GM Cook said. “To be a part of such a rich history is truly a privilege that we do not take for granted. We want our new logos to represent our appreciation for this City, our fabulous fans, and the entire community.

“Without the love and support from everyone who enters the stadium, the Silver Knights would never be where we are now.”

Mayor Jim Donchess echoed that sentiment, adding that “Few landmarks epitomize Nashua as much as historic Holman Stadium. Having a superlative team like the Silver Knights playing here further entices locals and visitors alike to experience the excitement, nostalgia and family entertainment of a baseball game at Holman.

“Nashua is proud to play a pivotal role in black history and

baseball history. We continue to honor Campanella and Newcombe, and remind everyone that the Gate City will always be an open and welcoming place.”

With the unveiling of these logos, the Silver Knights also launched a limited-time, virtual merchandise shop accessible through the team’s website where fans can purchase fan gear with the new logos. In the coming weeks, the team will also unveil the newly designed 2023 player jerseys.