It is common in sports to see players come and go, but not so much the uniforms. Over the years, changes in fashion and sportswear technology reflect in the designs of the uniforms.
The main differences are that teams have adopted clothing with more lightweight fabric, modern styles and sweat-absorbent material. However, their attire isn’t changed on a whim. Oftentimes, the change is born from necessity, such as when a designer stops making a particular uniform.
Both football and softball have been planning to alter their uniforms since Nov. 2014. Team colors will change from forest green and vegas gold to forest green and yellow gold, so players will look more in line with other high schools.
The football team will purchase new uniforms at around $350 each player for the entire team. Aside from the coloring change, helmets should don a more matte finish, although designs are not finalized yet.
Softball players will continue to have the option of embroidering their name on the back if they decide to purchase their own uniform.
“This is the first uniform change for us in a number of years,” Coach Mr. Bob Ellingsworth said. “With this system our uniforms look better as each player takes more pride in their uniform.”
Track is fundraising to get new uniforms for the first time in a decade. The team’s yard sale, two movie nights and jog-a-thon raised about $4,000.
However, the team is still $6,000 short of purchasing uniforms at $90 each for every athlete, and it still requires funds to afford bus rides and pay for meets. Coach Mr. José Marquez hopes that by the start of the Spring season, the team will have a design picked out, but acknowledges that they are still in need of funds to support the change.
“ I’ve always been a true believer in having a uniform our students can be proud to wear.” Marquez said. “If we don’t have pride in the uniform, how we can have pride for the team?”