Florida Atlantic coach Charlie Partridge stood behind a dark brown podium Monday morning, five days before his third season atop FAU's football program. His red shirt shouted against a navy backdrop, the Owls' crest perched on his left chest.
The simple logo adorning Partridge's shirt had come to represent more than a cartoon of wings, talons, eyes and a beak. To Partridge, it was a source of pride and a demonstration of progress, a depiction of hope and a stamp of a transition.
"This means something to us — a lot," Partridge said while pointing to FAU's logo.