By Tanisha Boyd
Football season is well underway and the Mustangs are sporting a new look for the 2012 season after signing a five-year deal with sportswear titan, Nike. Keeping in mind SMU’s tradition of creating trends, Nike’s redesign strays away from the recent focus on colorful, futuristic elements and keeps the look sleek with a hint of vintage.
The SMU logo initials are gone from the front of the uniform, replaced by a simple Mustang logo. The contrasting red (home) and white (away) triple-striped sleeve sports an updated number font. The blue jersey has been eliminated and instead the numbers are trimmed in blue. And, of course, no Nike product is complete without the trademark Swoosh.
Concerned about the lack of “SMU” on the front of the jersey? Coach June Jones isn’t. “That’s OK. You know when you see that helmet what team we are. I like the look.’’
But it’s not just about the look. Nike’s revolutionary Pro Combat base layer jersey is designed to keep the body cool and wick sweat away. And the tighter fit allows for more movement.
This redesign comes on the heels of the announcement of SMU’s move to the Big East Conference. “We are excited to announce this partnership between SMU Athletics and Nike,” states Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. ”Nike is a world leader in athletic apparel and equipment, and this agreement links SMU Athletics with that prestigious brand.”
There’s more to come, as Nike will be outfitting all student-athletes across the board.
“Partnering with elite organizations such as SMU allows Nike to continue to help build better athletes by pushing innovation forward,” says Nike spokesman Morgan Shaw.
“Our goal is to deliver unparalleled performance benefits through footwear, apparel and equipment by listening to the voice of the athlete,” Shaw adds. “To that end, it is a privilege to work with such a strong, successful athletic organization.”
New uniforms, new beginnings. The Pony Express rides again!