New Unis

UPDATED 10:02PM on 4/12/11:

Just moments ago, Washington State University AD Bill Moos unveiled a department-wide brand and identity program, at a celebration hosted by the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane.  A recap is available here from the official website.

Here are some thoughts.  Karstetter has been working out.  Alternate gray uniform with a gray helmet and gray Cougar logo.  Real Crimson. Capers and Lodwick model the basketball unis, very clean.  I love the font!  Our volleyball team = hot.  I have to say, I am very impressed with almost everything.  I did think the crimson would be a bit darker, in the images I’ve seen, they don’t appear a whole lot darker than what we wore the last two seasons. 

For all of the grief we gave the Ducks, multiple helmets and uniform combinations are now longer an abberation, rather they’re the expectation!

Images after the jump!

One of the things to keep in mind with these new uniforms, is that they are trying to appeal to 16-18 year old, high school recruits, while trying to maintain the history of WSU football.  Moos said so himself.  So what that means to me is they aren’t just trying to appease students and alums, but also and in my opinion more importantly potential recruits.  If you don’t think uniform, gear, swag, etc. appeals to today’s prospectice college athlete, look no further than Eugene.  It could definitely be said the Ducks built this year’s National Championship Game squad on players who like innovation in that department.  Do you think 15 years ago the Oregon Ducks could walk into any living room in the country and land a 5 Star prospect?

Guess who was leading the innovation and charge 15 years ago in Eugene?  Yep, Bill Moos (sorry if I sound like a commercial for Banner Bank).

Moos also had this to say regarding Nike’s work on the new uniofrms:

“One of my priorities when I became athletic director was to have a recognizable look across our department and athletic programs.  We have what I and many believe to be the best logo in college athletics, yet we have not had the consistent look on our apparel or throughout our facilities that allows instant recognition for that brand.  From the outset of our discussions with Nike I challenged them to be innovative, unique and to align the look of Cougar Athletics with the premier programs in America.  After seeing the final product, I believe they delivered on all counts.  I believe our new look is consistent with my theme for Cougar Athletics, which is, honor the past, live the present, create the future.  We live by that motto and I believe this brand and identity effort with Nike will make Cougars of all generations extremely proud.”

The WSU logo was created by Randall C. Johnson in 1936.  Click here to learn more about the creation of our logo.

Here is a YouTube clip of players reacting to the uniforms at a team meeting last week.  Cougfan also posted this story/photo gallery on the new unis.

What do you think of the new uniforms and font?  Have a great evening!