District, store agree on use of lumberjack logo

After much discussion on Facebook pages and in local coffee shops over the past two weeks, the Lumberjack logo debate has been settled, at least as far as the Cloquet School District is concerned.

During Monday’s School Board meeting, Cloquet Superintendent Michael Cary pointed to the the Pine Knot News story about the history of the Lumberjack mascot logo, and said he and others had talked to many of the same people quoted in the story.

“Everything we can find points to the fact that the Lumberjack was created with the intention that it be for and by use of the school,” Cary said.

That means the district could go ahead and seek to trademark the image, if it is affordable and the board decides it wants to pursue that action.

It seems the district’s concerns regarding the new Cloquet Sporting Goods store — due to open April 1— and its use of the Lumberjack logo are settled.

Cary met with store owner Paul Morton Friday to discuss several concerns raised by the board and the district, including the following:

• The proposed use of the logo as part of the storefront;

• Royalties for sale of apparel with the Lumberjack logo;

• A way to review and approve the sale of any clothing or other items that would use the Lumberjack image to make sure the use is appropriate.

Morton talked with board members and Cary Monday, and said he’d be willing to match or exceed the 10 percent royalties the district will now get from the Cotton Gallery (which supplies the local Walmart store) on any Lumberjack apparel.

“We want to offset any potential loss of revenue, but, in my opinion, we also don’t want to undermine his ability to run a successful business,” Cary said, adding that Morton had been very good to work with and was well regarded.

Morton said their new store at 1111 Cloquet Avenue will carry both new and gently used sports equipment.

“If there’s a sport played within our area, I want to offer equipment for it. We’ve been purchasing a lot of used gear for hockey, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, football,” he said, adding that they will also sell various accessories, new equipment, apparel and more. They are driven, he said, by the desire to make playing sports affordable.

“My kids play hockey. I know how expensive registration and equipment are,” Morton said. “Growing up, my parents couldn’t afford it. So the biggest thing for me is I don’t want equipment costs to be a barrier why a potential athlete can’t play, so my goal is to keep costs for parents as low as possible.”

Board member Nate Sandman questioned Morton about using the Lumberjack logo as part of his store branding,

When Sandman asked if Morton thought the community would still support his store without the logo, Morton said yes.

Sandman also pointed out that Morton might not attract other area schools if he uses the logo. The discussion continued for several minutes.

“I’ll make it easy — I will not use it for my store logo,” Morton said, stressing that the royalty agreement was his priority.