Connor Mantelli Creates Special Logo for Bemidji State's 100th Football Season

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State football team is gearing up for a momentous milestone as it approaches its 100th season, and a former player has taken on the task of crafting a commemorative logo. Kicker Connor Mantelli, who played for the Beavers during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, was chosen to design the anniversary emblem during the offseason.

With a background in business administration and a knack for design, Mantelli has previously explored artistic endeavors, including running a small custom cleat business in Colorado. When the football team sought a logo to mark the century mark, they turned to him for his artistic insight. “I've always just been interested in art,” he shared, noting that he considered pursuing a career in design after completing his studies and football commitments.

In preparing the logo, Mantelli researched how other teams have celebrated their centennial seasons, taking inspiration from similar milestones achieved by rivals like Augustana and Minnesota State Moorhead. Striving for a clean and straightforward design, he focused on elements that would translate well onto merchandise, stating, “I came to the conclusion, something simple would be better — didn't want a bunch of crazy things going on.” His final design features a football, yardlines, the Beaver logo, and the phrase "100 seasons of Beaver football."

It's important to note that Bemidji State is celebrating its 100th season, not its 100th year, as a missed season in 2020 due to COVID-19 shifts the timeline. Mantelli wanted to incorporate a local touch to the design, ultimately adding pine trees to evoke the spirit of Bemidji. The finished logo was shared on social media in February, where it received enthusiastic feedback from former teammates and fans alike.

Even though Mantelli graduated this spring and won’t have the chance to don the logo on the field, he expressed pride in his creation. The experience has reignited his passion for graphic design, a potential career path he may explore in the future. The Beavers are set to kick off their 100th season against Michigan Tech on August 27 at Chet Anderson Stadium, marking the program's first home night game since 2024. Special festivities to honor this landmark season will be announced soon.