When former athletics director Clifford E. "Pop" Horton and Daily Pantagraph sports editor Fred Young collaborated in 1923 to change the university's nickname from "Teachers" to "Redbirds," a new color scheme for the University had to be established for the new nickname.

While the original colors for the University and its athletics programs were Cardinal and White (set in 1895-96), a more vibrant and representative color scheme was needed to reflect the new nickname.

The official athletics colors for the University that were eventually established were Redbird Red (PMS 186) and White, with a secondary color of Redbird Yellow (PMS 108) and a support color of black.