YULF Logo Contest

The Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation (YULF) is dedicated to empowering student-athletes by offering them opportunities to contribute to the foundation in areas that align with their skills and academic majors, allowing them to develop professionally while making a lasting impact. As part of this mission, Katie Gomez—a Junior Mechanical Engineering student and member of the SJSU Judo team—entered and won the YULF logo design contest to create an emblem that would embody the spirit and values of YULF.

Katie’s initial design drew from a classic judo moment—a dramatic uchimata throw inspired by a photo from a past tournament. Although this design celebrated judo’s dynamic energy, it soon became clear that it didn’t fully reflect the foundation's broader mission. Coach Uchida always prioritized education and community contribution over athletic success, emphasizing that a student’s academic achievements and societal impact are more valuable than performance on the mat.

With this philosophy in mind, Katie reimagined the logo to focus on learning and growth. She created a design featuring a person in a judo gi, seated cross-legged and reading, symbolizing both the foundation’s connection to judo and its commitment to education. To capture the posture accurately, she used reference images, producing a visual that reflected intellectual and personal development. Later, she also crafted a version with a female athlete to ensure the logo embodied inclusivity within the sport.

Katie’s dedication and creativity led to two distinct concepts that represented both judo and YULF’s educational values. These ideas were blended into a cohesive logo, now featured across YULF’s website, marketing materials, and all facets of outreach. For her exceptional work, Katie was awarded a $500 prize—a testament to her talent and contribution. YULF extends heartfelt thanks to Katie for her invaluable role in bringing Mr. Uchida’s legacy to life.