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via Nike
Regardless of whether you like them or not, they’ll be on display this Wednesday inside the Carrier Dome. Syracuse’s new Nike Hyper Elite Dominance uniforms, that is. This has been a progressive trend over the last few years for the Orange basketball and football programs. And one you could argue as necessary. With schools like Oregon and Maryland pouring money into the college “uniform craze” of the last half decade, SU has some catching up to do. But wearing the throwback orange and blue Nike uniforms that you’ll see against Boston College is a little victory for the program.
There are plenty of fans out there that don’t like change. Remember SU’s Hyper Elite Platinum uniforms from two years ago? Not too many fans enjoyed those beauties. But the fact is, players enjoy the change from the norm. It’s something to get excited about, and whenever Nike is including your school as one of the handful across the country to feature these special uniforms, that’s a good thing.
If you‚Äôre curious why Nike and Syracuse chose this specific design as its throwback look for¬†Wednesday, it‚Äôs to pay homage to some of the best Syracuse teams from the ’80s, according to Nike‚Äôs website.
The iconic cursive script “Syracuse” across the jersey chest debuted in 1984 with the arrival of Dwayne ‚ÄúPearl‚Äù Washington; both symbolized the dawn of a new era. ¬†The script is an indelible trademark of SU hoops that excites alumni and fans to this day, 30 years since its debut. ¬†It returns on the Nike Hyper Elite jersey for Wednesday‚Äôs matchup against Boston College, with Washington in attendance.
Even the shorts have meaning, too.
At Nike, it‚Äôs the small design details that matter. The new navy blue Hyper Elite Shorts remix past with future and feature trim details reminiscent of the 2002-03 uniform shorts worn by SU‚Äôs National Championship team. The block letter “S” on the sides have appeared on a variety of shorts through the decades and remain on the current uniforms.
Compare this uniform change to what we saw on the football field this fall. Syracuse flashed sleek all-blue uniform combinations that featured orange and blue chrome helmets. The players were nearly unanimous in their love for the uniforms. Recruits echoed the same sentiment. These little modifications are new and exciting. And necessary for both programs.
Syracuse’s basketball prestige has always been at the pinnacle of the college hoops world. And now the Orange gets to have a little fun on Wednesday night. Cuse fans, enjoy it. This year has been nothing but a delight for the SU faithful. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reminiscing a bit when Syracuse dons its throwbacks in two days.
Posted by: Kevin Fitzgerald
