The logo has already changed.

The colors have changed and so has the name.

It's clear that Utah Valley State College can't wait until it officially becomes a Utah Valley University on July 1 of this year.

At basketball games, the cheerleaders start the chant "U-V-U."

In the McKay Events Center, a dark green sign is hung with the letters UVU.

As many of the sports programs search for athletes who might be the next Ronnie Price, Robyn Fairbanks or Jace Brinkerhoff, the question arises: Will the university status actually help the teams in recruiting?

It is a subject worthy of a Master's thesis.

UVSC athletic director Mike Jacobsen doesn't foresee a big change.

"I don't think it will be a decision maker for a kid. It's a positive on a diploma. I think to be in a conference and NCAA eligible will help a lot more," he said. "I think the overall it will be a positive. I know teams who we play have already listed us as a university on their schedule."

For those wondering what is the difference is between a college and university, it can vary by state, but simply put, a university offers postgraduate degrees.

When UVSC changes its name on July 1, it will offer its first postgraduate program, a Master's in Education.

Assistant Athletic Director Nate Mathis points out that being a university could speed up the process of being accepted into a conference.

"From the athletic side, the academics side is what could help us get in a conference. The presidents of the universities are the ones who make the decisions on whether or not to add a new school to a conference," Mathis said. "If the presidents want to add a school, it has to fit athletically and academically. The university status puts us more on the map and closer to a conference affiliation."

Coaches have varied opinions.

"I think it will probably make a subtle difference," said UVSC women's basketball coach Cathy Nixon. "We've just kind of been Utah Valley since we've been Division I. I don't know if it will be measurable immediately. We've been able to find a major to fit with the academic goals for our players. We have enough for them to choose."

Going to university status may not the reason why someone chooses Utah Valley over another school, but Nixon it could help teams keep their players from transferring or quitting.

Consider the plight of sophomore center Jordyn Bowen, who transferred from Idaho and redshirted. She is now on track to graduate at the end of her junior year, but will still have a year of eligibility. Instead of moving on after her junior year, she can now stay at Utah Valley and play basketball while working on another degree.

Baseball coach Eric Madsen said in his time at Utah Valley, he can remember only one recruit he has lost due to the academic status of the school.

"I can only remember losing someone once and it was a kid who we were really pushing for," he said. "He was a big-name kid who wanted to be an engineer, and we don't have an engineering program. We have a pre-engineering and everything else, but he was able to get the money to go to an engineering school. But that was the only time it's come into play."

Madsen will take over for head coach Steve Gardner, who will retire from coaching after the season ends in May. He's hoping recruiting will become easier once the school becomes a university.

"I think it's just a better opportunity for kids. A university means a lot to the kids and that's what they're here for, to get an education," Madsen said. "So now it's an equal playing field. I just think once it's a university, now we're equal to everybody."

Volleyball coach Sam Atoa said he hasn't lost any potential players because the school was a college elieve becoming a university may not have a noticeable impact on recruiting, but it will help the school move closer to what it wants the most -- conference affiliation.

"To me, the two biggest factors (in recruiting) are funding and getting in a conference," Fairbourne said. "I think it will help us be more attractive to a conference. That will help recruiting the most, but going to a university status certainly isn't going to hurt."