Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: David Byers

After 11 seasons, two Final Four appearances and one national championship, the Terrapin men's basketball jersey heads to the closet permanently in favor of a new, tighter-fitting uniform designed by Nike.

The new uniforms, part of Nike's "System of Dress" college basketball jersey design, are comprised of a lighter, form-fitting top and long loose-fitted shorts that will be unveiled Oct. 12 during Maryland Madness.

"Part of being a good team is the way you look when you take the floor, when you are playing," said coach Gary Williams, who made the decision to switch. "It's a more modern look; I think they look great."

While the personally-fitted shirts may appear dramatically different from the baggy mesh uniforms introduced prior to the 1996-1997 season, many of the same features will remain.

The same red script "Maryland" with identical font will appear on the front of the jersey, and the familiar black and yellow trim will run down the back of the jersey, bordering the name and number of the player.

"Our whole motto is to respect the past but represent the future," said Martin Newton, a spokesman for Nike. "We still have the same design features like the state flag on the shorts, we didn't want to get too far from the design since it's such a significant design. Inevitably, it's the Maryland brand that has to stick out, that's why there's only one Nike logo on the uniform."

Four schools - Florida, Ohio State, Arizona and Syracuse - tried out the uniforms during conference tournament play last season. As one of Nike's "Elite" schools - sponsored programs which have been to the Final Four in the past ten years - Maryland was given the opportunity to wear the uniform this season.

Nike, which also designed the previous uniform, consulted Williams and let the players see the new uniforms before ultimately going ahead with the process.

According to Newton, the new uniforms don't just look better, but will help the players on the court as well.

"When you watch games you'll see the arm holes are stretched back and the neck lines are saggy when a player pulls it down to wipe his chin, so we wanted to make it look like more of a tailored fit so it fits better," Newton said. "If it fits better [the players] will perform better."

Student reaction to the uniform switch is mixed. Sophomore kinesiology major Daniel Levine said he doesn't like the new look.

Continued...

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