Madison College 

When Madison College Athletics began expanding the visual identity of its athletics facilities, the goal was not simply to add signage or decoration to the building. The department wanted the facilities to better reflect the pride, energy, and tradition behind its WolfPack athletics programs—creating spaces that celebrated student-athletes while also inspiring the next generation of competitors.

Like many facility branding initiatives, the project evolved over time. Thysse experiential designers originally developed concepts for Madison College’s athletics graphics several years before the project moved forward. When the department was ready to proceed, Madison College Athletics reengaged Thysse to bring the work to life. The design team refined the original concepts into production-ready artwork, expanding them into a phased program that ultimately touched multiple spaces throughout the athletics facilities.

Senior Experiential Designer Angie Biermeier stepped in to guide the first phase of installations throughout the athletics facilities. As additional spaces were added and new opportunities emerged, Experiential Designer Kristyn Hodel joined the effort, helping expand the program into new areas of the building.

What began as a focused set of graphics gradually evolved into a broader environmental graphic design undertaking touching multiple parts of the facility—from concessions and athletic corridors to fitness spaces and the college’s esports program. The Phase I materials alone identified a wide range of branded environments, including Big Dog Concessions, the Hall of Fame, the “Stronger Together” wall, fitness graphics, ticketing and vestibule graphics, and an upper fitness center wolf wall.

As the project evolved, each phase presented new opportunities to refine the graphics and introduce installations that balanced bold visual impact with practical functionality. Large-scale wolf graphics, dimensional lettering, and feature walls created striking focal points throughout the facility, while other elements were designed with flexibility in mind so the college could update content as programs and achievements continue to grow.

Throughout the athletics facilities, the WolfPack identity serves as the unifying thread tying these spaces together. In some areas, the graphics provide immediate visual energy—large logos, bold typography, and dimensional elements reinforcing the competitive spirit of the programs housed within the building. In others, the design leans more toward storytelling, using the environment to celebrate individuals, honor achievements, and reinforce the culture behind Madison College athletics.

The result is an environment where the WolfPack identity is visible throughout the building—not just through logos and colors, but through meaningful installations that reflect the college’s pride, history, and momentum.

One of the most personal installations in the athletics facilities appears in a place where students and fans naturally gather—the concession stand.

Known as Big Dog Concessions, the space honors Gary “Big Dog” Breneman, a longtime Madison College manager and supporter within the athletics program. Rather than simply placing a plaque on the wall, the college wanted the area to serve as a visible tribute woven into the everyday experience of games and events.

The dimensional lettering and layered acrylic display connect the wall above the concession window to the story behind its name. A halo-lit acrylic wolf disc, large painted acrylic “Big Dog” letters, and a layered storytelling panel with printed text and graphics bring Gary Breneman's legacy into view.

That layered approach helped give the installation visual depth while still allowing it to function within a busy concession environment. It also reflects one of the strengths of facility branding in athletic settings: the ability to turn even practical, high-traffic spaces into opportunities for storytelling.

In a project filled with school spirit and bold athletics graphics, installations like this add something more personal. They remind students, visitors, and fans that the culture of a program is built over time by people who leave a lasting mark.

That same idea carries into one of the project’s other important themes: recognition.

Madison College wanted certain areas of the facility to celebrate accomplishments in ways that could continue evolving. The Hall of Fame is a strong example. Rather than creating a static display that would quickly become outdated, the installation was designed with updateable panels so future honorees could be added over time. Sandwich acrylic panels enable the client to print and update inserts themselves using templates provided by Thysse.

That flexibility became a recurring strategy throughout the project, and illustrates how client-centric experiential design solutions can both address future needs and reduce cost.   

That same philosophy carried into later phases as well. In 2025, the project expanded to include a major “Leaders of the Pack” Accolades Wall, a large recognition environment organized around academic honors, individual season honors, championships, and other achievements. The Phase 2 concepts show a long, layered wall system combining dimensional lettering, large-format graphics, SEG frames, and updateable honors panels.

What makes these installations particularly effective is that they do more than document success. They make achievement visible. They tell current students that the program has a past worth honoring and a future still being written.

Not every installation in the project was designed as a major recognition moment. Many of the graphics instead focus on shaping the atmosphere of the building—bringing energy, pride, and a stronger sense of identity into the spaces students use every day.

Across the athletics facilities, fitness areas, entry points, and transitional corridors were enhanced with branded graphics. Installations such as the fitness welcome and mission wall, the “Move Train Play” feature wall, ticket window and vestibule graphics, and additional wolf-themed glass vinyl help reinforce the WolfPack identity throughout the facility.

These environmental graphics help set the tone for the spaces students are entering. Whether moving into a training area, gathering near the ticket window, or passing through a corridor on the way to a game, the visuals reinforce the values that define the athletics program—discipline, teamwork, competition, and school pride.

In projects like this, those quieter installations are just as important as the headline features. Together they create continuity across the building, connecting each space into a unified environment that feels intentional.

One of the most visually distinctive parts of the project was the Madison College Esports space.

While the broader athletics environment emphasizes school pride and program recognition, the esports room provided an opportunity to express the WolfPack identity in a more contemporary, immersive way—creating a branded gaming environment that still connects visually to the rest of Madison College Athletics.

To support that shift, the Thysse experiential design team developed a refined version of the WolfPack esports mark. The updated logo moves away from a literal wolf illustration toward a more iconic, graphic interpretation—one that feels sharper, more modern, and better suited for gaming environments where logos often appear as digital icons, avatars, and screen graphics.

Several installations anchor the space. One wall features dimensional acrylic “Madison College Esports” lettering paired with a large stud-mounted acrylic wolf head. Another feature wall layers blue halo-lit acrylic circuit graphics with illuminated “GAME ON” lettering across the main gaming station area.

Additional graphics extend that identity through etched and second-surface navy vinyl on the glass entry, creating a strong branded threshold as players and visitors enter the room.

The space also reflects a key theme seen throughout the project: flexibility. A dedicated lineup wall uses acrylic lettering and interchangeable sandwich panels so Madison College can update the games offered as programs evolve—without rebuilding the installation.

That combination of visual energy and adaptability gives the esports environment its own personality while supporting the practical reality that competitive programs change quickly.

One of the clearest takeaways from the Madison College Athletics project is that successful facility branding programs are rarely one-and-done efforts—they grow over time.

That was true here in several ways. The project itself unfolded in phases as the department refined its priorities and expanded the scope of installations. Just as importantly, many of the graphics were designed to support future updates—from concession menus and recognition panels to esports lineup displays and larger accolades walls.

That long-view thinking is visible throughout the facility. Rather than capturing a single moment in the program’s history, the installations create a framework that can evolve alongside Madison College athletics.

Athletics environments are never static. Teams change, students graduate, records are broken, and traditions continue to grow. Thoughtful facility branding acknowledges that reality—designing spaces that celebrate the present while leaving room for the stories still to come.

At Madison College, the final result is more than a collection of branded walls.

Taken together, the installations transform the athletics facilities into a fuller expression of the WolfPack identity—one that celebrates legacy, energizes competition, and creates visible pride throughout the facility. From tribute walls honoring influential figures, to recognition displays designed to grow with the program, to everyday graphics that bring energy to fitness and gathering spaces, the project reinforces the culture behind Madison College Athletics. The Esports environment extends that identity into a modern competitive arena, demonstrating how the WolfPack brand can adapt to new programs while still feeling connected to the college’s broader story.