San Diego State on Tuesday unveiled its new Nike football uniforms, with the "most prominent and eye-catching feature being the use of an authentic Aztec calendar," according to Tod Leonard of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. The round calendar with "numerous symbols appears in black etching on both sides of the red helmets and as an accent on the shoulder and leg stripes." SDSU is "sticking with its normal ensemble of all black jerseys and pants at home and white jerseys with black pants on the road." The calendar design was "developed over two years by equipment attendant Sony Sanfilippo, a 2010 SDSU grad who said he was inspired by an Aztec calendar he used to walk by" at an apartment complex near the school. Player and fan reaction on social media "was overwhelmingly positive about the uniforms" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/5).
GONNA FLY NOW: In Toledo, John Wagner noted Bowling Green this year "begins a new contract with Nike to provide for all the apparel needs of the school's 18 teams." The five-year pact will "provide roughly $200,000 worth of products and equipment each year." With that deal, it was announced that BGSU "would have both uniform jerseys and pants in the school colors of orange and brown as well as traditional white." BGSU AD Chris Kingston said that one goal with the new football jerseys was to "recognize the school colors, particularly the color brown, which has been missing as a primary uniform color for an extensive period of time." Kingston said that "another goal was to create as many different uniform combinations as possible by using helmets, jerseys, and pants" (TOLEDO BLADE, 8/1).
NOT SO FAST: In Oklahoma City, Ryan Aber noted Oklahoma last year "made waves with the addition of a pair of alternate uniforms." On Sunday, there was a report on Twitter that OU and eight other college teams "would wear black alternates this season." But it "didn't take long for OU officials to shoot down the idea." OU Senior Associate AD/External Operations Kenny Mossman tweeted, "There is no new uniform coming ... this season" (NEWSOK.com, 8/2). Meanwhile, in L.A., Lindsey Thiry noted the USC football team "could embrace an alternate uniform in the near future." Coach Steve Sarkisian said that the team will not "wear an alternate uniform this season ... but he left the future open for discussion" (L.A. TIMES, 8/6).
BLACK DOG? In Austin, Suzanne Halliburton noted Texas A&M Twitter account @AggieFBlife is "dropping daily hints on a uniform change for the season opener against Arizona State." A tweet yesterday "suggests A&M will be wearing black uniforms." adidas "designs the uniforms for both the Aggies and Arizona State," so the company reportedly will "introduce special uniforms for both teams." Uniform fans "will know something" by tomorrow (STATESMAN.com, 8/5).
NUMBERS GAME: In N.Y., Marc Tracy notes a "growing number of colleges have quietly decided to stop selling team jerseys with popular players’ numbers." Ohio State officials said that in the future, retail jerseys "will follow that new pattern of featuring either No. 1 or the last two digits of the year." Other numbers "will be available, but only on personalized jerseys that feature a buyer-selected name, which cannot be that of a current or former player." But OSU "is not alone," as Miami and Nebraska in recent weeks have said that they were "adopting similar policies." Mississippi State also "confirmed that it would offer jerseys with Nos. 1, 15 and 78." The changes schools are making "are not likely to have huge financial repercussions." Fanatics said that jersey sales constitute about 5% "of the college apparel business," compared with 25-30% in pro leagues (N.Y. TIMES, 8/6).
