New WVU football uniforms. (Photo: Kevin Redfern)
The West Virginia University football team unveiled new uniforms during the Gold-Blue Spring Game last weekend, but the fun didn't end there.
The Mountaineers, which fans have long and loudly anticipated, also unveiled new black uniforms that the team will wear at least once during the 2024 season.
For its main look, WVU wears blue, gold and white jerseys and pants in various configurations and combinations, with each pants designed to match its respective uniform. What's new is that WVU has looked into its past and made some notable adjustments to the Mountaineers' thread.
“Nelenstripe”
For the first time since 1993, the “Nehrenstripe'' is back on gold pants. The two blue stripes first appeared on the WVU Gold Pant in 1980 in Don Nehlen's first game as coach vs. Cincinnati. They became a staple at WVU. For much of his tenure as a Hall of Fame Mountaineer, he continued to wear his tradition-rich uniform.
“We went back in time and brought back some of the best parts of uniform history that have made this football program special,” head coach Neil Brown said. “We've truly blended tradition and modern technology in our new uniforms. There are plenty of combinations available each week and players are excited about the new look. But importantly, no matter the pants or jersey, It means fans know it's the West Virginia Mountaineers on the football field.”
The Flying WV is also back on the sleeve for the first time since 2012. The sleeve logo has been a staple of Mountaineer uniforms from Don's Nehren days to his 2013 uniform change.
modern stripes
Three jersey sets feature the return of the shoulder stripes made famous from 2007-2012, when WVU won two BCS bowl games, three conference championships and posted a 55-23 record. .
WVU's white pants bring back the blue, gold and blue stripes that harken back to the 1960s and '70s and the Rich Rodriguez era. The stripes on the white pants are designed to remind fans of his WVU's memorable road wins over Virginia Tech and Pitt in 2002.
mix and match
There are dozens of Mountaineers uniform combinations, counting the matte blue, matte yellow, and white helmets with the state outline. Each part of the uniform is designed to be compatible with other colors and designs in the rotation.
“In developing the new uniforms, it was important to us to incorporate our rich history and heritage with modern technology,” Baker said. “We also wanted people to instantly know that the West Virginia Mountaineers were playing. Our design team and equipment staff, as well as our partners at Nike, did a great job on these uniforms. I believe he did.”
From light to darkness
WVU's new black uniforms, unveiled Thursday, center the state's mining history in every detail. The jersey's silver components are meant to replicate reflectors essential to miner safety, and the jersey's sleeve and collar design patterns are based on the actual textures of underground coal mines.
“If our football team was going to wear a black alternate uniform, we wanted it to tell a story and mean something to our fans,” Baker said. “Every design element of the uniform was researched, carefully thought out, and implemented based on what our designers observed during mine visits. West Virginia has a deep history of coal mining. , the work ethic of coal miners is woven into the fabric of our culture. Our football team looks forward to honoring the rich traditions and history of West Virginia's coal mining industry. We would like to thank all the staff who contributed to the design and implementation of the uniform.”
Finally, regarding helmets, “black hat” is a mining term for experienced miners, and WVU wears a black helmet with a reflective stripe down the middle.
