Meet Striker
What it means to be a Scorpion at SDI
At Sonoran Desert Institute, we recognize that every student has a unique starting point. Some are already fixing firearms or flying drones at home, others are balancing work, life, and education, and many are just starting their journey into the skilled trades. No matter where you are in life, SDI meets you there.
Being a Scorpion means more than just being a student. It is about resilience, precision, and the drive to succeed. Striker, our new spirit mark, embodies these qualities and represents the focus and strength we see in our community of students, alumni, and staff.
Whether you are pursuing a career change, serving in the military, or turning a hobby into a business, SDI is built to support you. We provide flexible, hands-on training, with education delivered to you online, because being a Scorpion means training with purpose, on your terms.
Why a Scorpion?
Striker is here to symbolize traits that SDI stands for: resilience, precision, and the drive to overcome challenges. Much like the scorpion, which thrives in challenging conditions, our students balance various aspects of life, including work, family, and education, while developing the skills necessary for success in the skilled trades.
Striker represents:
- Resilience: Scorpions endure extreme heat and scarce water. SDI learners overcome busy schedules and distance learning challenges with equal grit.
- Adaptability: A scorpion shelters, hunts, and shelters again as conditions demand. At SDI, our programs evolve to meet each student’s life stage, skill level, and location.
- Discipline: Scorpions lie in wait, striking with precision. Whether you’re mastering firearms technology or uncrewed systems, SDI’s structured yet flexible curriculum helps you hone new skills with focused intensity.
- Community: Scorpions survive in colonies or alone, but every encounter is a reminder of shared terrain. Likewise, SDI fosters connections among students, graduates, and instructors—no matter how far apart we may be.
To be a Scorpion is to be:
- Focused: A clear path forward, even in the face of adversity
- Fierce: Where accuracy meets drive, fueled by passion, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence
What Is Striker?
Striker is more than just a mascot. He is SDI’s new spirit mark. He complements our main logo and adds a powerful visual element to SDI’s identity. While he does not replace anything, he offers a fresh way for our community to express pride, unity, and school spirit.
You will see Striker across various materials:
- School spirit gear: stickers, shirts, patches, and more
- Event materials: graduation, military appreciation, trade shows
- Student resources: orientation materials, student guides, and virtual backgrounds
- Marketing materials: website, email headers, and promotional banners
The Core Values of Striker
Striker’s design is rooted in SDI’s core values, represented by the seven segments in his body. These values shape how we show up as a community and reflect everything SDI stands for:
- Continuous Improvement
- Uncompromising Ethics and Integrity
- Ownership Mentality
- Student Achievement
- Relevance
- Sustainability and Growth
- Meaningful Relationships
Guidelines for Using Striker
Striker is an important brand asset, not a formal logo. While he complements SDI’s primary logo, he is designed to evoke energy, pride, and a sense of belonging within our community. As a symbol of resilience and focus, Striker serves as a dynamic representation of who we are and what we stand for. It’s important that Striker is used purposefully, consistently, and in ways that reflect SDI’s values.
General Guidelines:- Request Permission: Striker’s spirit mark is not to be used without explicit written approval from SDI Marketing. This includes any use in digital, print, or promotional materials.
- Brand Consistency: All uses of Striker must adhere to SDI’s brand guidelines. This includes maintaining consistency in design, colors, and overall look with SDI’s established identity.
Where Striker Can Be Used (with Permission)
Striker can be used in social media graphics, event promotions, student shoutouts, orientation materials, resource guides, virtual backgrounds, trade show booths, SDI receptions, co-branded partnerships, website sections, email headers, and promotional banners—always with prior approval from SDI Marketing.
Prohibited Uses of Striker
To maintain Striker’s integrity and SDI’s brand, Striker cannot be used on official academic materials (transcripts, diplomas, etc.), as a replacement for SDI’s official logo or seal, in commercial merchandise for resale without a licensing agreement, or in content that misaligns with SDI’s values, such as humorous edits, memes, or controversial subjects—without prior approval from SDI Marketing.
Get Involved
If you’re ever unsure about how to use Striker, or if you want to discuss a unique idea for incorporating it into your materials, please contact SDI Marketing at marketing@sdi.edu for approval. Striker is just the beginning, and we want you to help shape his future! Share your ideas, feedback, and suggestions on how Striker can be used in new and exciting ways, whether for school spirit, marketing, or student resources.
Together, let’s continue to build a community of fierce, focused, and proud SDI Scorpions.