Athletic Uniforms Are Fashion Forward

Jacket, 1983/1986

Game warm-up jacket, 1991/1993

Women's basketball game jersey, late 1970s

TRENDSETTING. VIBRANT COLORS. Embellishment. No, you haven’t stumbled onto the pages of Vogue or ELLE— these are all descriptions of Maryland athletic uniforms. The University of Maryland did not always feature the four official colors of the state’s flag. Early athletic uniforms were either gray or maroon and gray. Starting in the 1920s, black and gold were added to the color palette. Then in 1942, former football coach Clark Shaughnessy switched the uniforms to red and white. Black and gold remained accents and were the predominant color on men’s basketball jerseys in the mid- 1980s, a color choice resurrected during the 2008 men’s basketball season. Today, all four Maryland colors are featured on Terps athletic uniforms.

As far back as 1961 Maryland teams were setting uniform trends. The football team was the first college football team in the country to feature players’ names on jerseys. During a practice session before a crowd of media, coach Tom Nugent introduced Hank Poniatowski ’64, fully suited up in a uniform featuring his name in three-inch white letters across his chest. The addition signified individual effort in team sports and honored courageous play on and off the field.

Uniform trends for women’s sports often reflect the fashion trends of the time. In the 1970s, women’s basketball players wore skirts and polos as they made lay-ups and defended the ball—but today’s uniforms rival the men’s in comfort and style.

In the new millennium, Maryland became one of the first universities to start testing and using clothes from the new—and local—brand Under Armour, the athletic clothing company started by former football captain Kevin Plank ’97. “These uniforms have provided a brighter, more solid look and the fabrics have been lighter and more breathable,” says Ron Ohringer ’85, equipment manager for athletics.

Maryland uniforms have always represented the Terps proudly. “If you can establish a tradition of wearing a certain clean look, you build an identity,” says Ohringer. “With so many games on TV these days, you want the fans at home to be able to click through the many channels showing games, see our team, and know by looking at the uniforms that they are watching Maryland.”

Fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt wear red.” There is no doubting Terp pride. Red is a definite—and white, black and gold, too. —MLB

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