[BJC]

I will restate what others before me have said. Winning is the best way to build a brand. Yes, it is desirable to have a special color/mascot/whatever. However, these things don't mean a whole lot unless you are good. (and when you are good people will want your handouts, shirts, etc which spreads your team in and of itself.) As this is your first year the greatest community brand you could hope for is "rookie sensation". If you brand yourself in your first year as a winning team who can be trusted to get it done on the field not only will you gain a reputation within the first community, you will find yourself consistantly playing late Saturday.

I'll leave with one last thing. Branding is really just your team trying to positivly influence the way others percieve your team. However, ultimatly, others will develop their own ideas of your team. Be a team who is known for being friendly, professional, helpful, and easy to work with because these are the factor which will determine how other teams think about you. Be a team others want to work with.

Regards, Bryan