Award letters or award monograms, are awarded by schools, colleges and universities to their students who achieve consistent excellence in the institutes’ curricular as well as co-curricular activities, especially in the field of sports. The award is in the design of a large letter also called the varsity monogram.

These monograms are designed using the school/universities’ colors, initials or emblem as the basic concept. These monograms are also called chenille monograms. This decoration is usually sewn on a special jacket called the ‘letterman jacket‘. Such letters were earlier also embroidered on a cardigan or pullover sweater. Several media like felt/chenille insignia, modelled pins, or bars are added to make the design more ornamental and stylised.

Evolvement of Varsity Monograms

From its known earlier introduction in 1865, Varsity Monograms have gained immense popularity with the students. These award monograms or chenille monograms have often become the thing of pride for the wearer. With more and more organizational skills come into play, there was a constant need of a tool by which everyone can identify the particular sports person from others. Therefore, the popularity of varsity monograms as a form of award letter can be related to the advent of organized sports, which in turn gave rise to the requirement of uniforms for the members of a team. This made it easier to identify different teams apart from giving a definition to their collective persona.