Uniforms have been perhaps the hottest topic all summer in black college football, mostly due to the MEAC’s decision to go away from a singular apparel deal for its programs in order to allow them to negotiate for themselves.
So naturally there was a lot of anticipation of getting a look at new uniforms at the conference’s football media day in Norfolk, VA. In the past, teams have generally revealed new uniforms or helmets at the session. With everyone having a new apparel partner since splitting with Russell, the hope was that there would be a mass unveiling of new uniforms for fans and media to see.
Except it didn’t quite happen that way.
Only three schools, Morgan State, Delaware State and Norfolk State, brought out their new uniforms to display. The rest either don’t have them in yet or elected not to bring them, including Hampton, who revealed its Under Armour jerseys earlier this month.
HBCU Gameday was told that even though the teams are no longer under contract with Russell, expect to see a few teams wearing the brand this season as well. The 10 teams who signed with Nike have a one-year transitional period until next August that allows them to wear Russell apparel while still under the Nike deal.
One of the big surprises of the day was Morgan State showing off an adidas prototype uniform. Sources had indicated that the Baltimore-based school would sign with Baltimore-based Under Armour, but things didn’t work out that way.
Norfolk State, the de facto home team at media day, showed off their new Nike jerseys.
And we’d already seen the red Delaware State Nike unis, but on Friday we got a look at the white version.
So, including Hampton, we know what four of the 11 MEAC football jerseys will look like this fall. Keep an eye out on HBCU Gameday for more designs as they are released.
It is a shame some schools will still be wearing Russell this year, but I understand why those schools need a transition year. I really hope the CIAA ditches Russell soon. Better apparel would do do wonders for CIAA merchandise sales and improve the on-field/on-court aesthetic. I do not understand why Georgia Tech has really nice Russell basketball jerseys, but the CIAA schools have Russell jerseys that look terrible.
Tech has “really nice Russell basketball jerseys”? They have always looked dated.
I do agree with you about them ditching Russel. To be honest, this apparel maker served its purpose. But if our beloved HBCU Programs want to compete, we need better gear.
Honestly, I expected more from Adidas. I hope The Bears don't wear this design on the field. It looks like they just “threw something together”.