When discussing the development of sports, one topic we may fail to discuss is the evolution of sports fashion. Trinity athletics is no stranger to change, with two of the school’s older programs — men’s and women’s basketball — having historical ties as far back as the 1980s. With over 40 years of evolution, it’s time to ask: What’s changed and what remains the same? With help from the Special Collections and Archives department, we can take an opportunity to compare the old with the new.
When looking at the men’s basketball uniform from the 1980s, the first thing that jumps out is the style. The traditional white-out style is still used today by both the men’s and women’s teams, but the maroon and black outline of the collar and sleeves is a strange addition, to say the least. The arched “TIGERS” lettering above the number feels almost out of place from a modern perspective, but fits with the time period.
In contrast, today’s men’s basketball team features two stylish uniforms that also possess ties to the past. With the modern white-out design, Trinity maintains the maroon numbers and lettering. By ditching the unsightly outlines on the collar and sleeves, the modern white-outs feel more visually appealing. In addition, changing from the arched lettering to a straight “TRINITY” design, the uniforms accurately reflect the school rather than the mascot — a feature reflected in many other sports on campus.
The second modern design for the men’s team is the blackout layout, featuring black tops and shorts. The white outline on the lettering does an excellent job of emphasizing the school, while a throwback to the collar and sleeves is barely visible with a maroon edge. Both uniforms have subtle nods to the historic jerseys of old, particularly in the block numbers as well as a maroon design under the arms.
Looking at the women’s basketball uniforms worn in 1984, the first thought that comes to mind is how much things have changed in the last 40 years. The team photo (courtesy of Coates Library’s Special Collections and Archives) shows a similar all-white jersey and shorts combo, but with a radically different design to the men’s.
The 80s team retains the border around the collar and sleeves, but the overall style is incredibly different. The conservative choice in short sleeves as opposed to no sleeves looks out of place when it comes to modern-day uniforms, and highlights not only changes in fashion but also changes in the way women’s sports have been treated.
Comparing the 1984 uniforms to today is almost a night-and-day difference. The only similarities between the two are the colors, and even that falls apart when taking into account Trinity’s all-maroon alternate uniforms. Both modern versions of the women’s basketball uniforms are special in their own regard, starting with the white-out. Rather than lettering above the numbers, the Tigers feature the school’s “Spirit Logo,” a particular touch not seen in many other places. According to the Trinity University Marketing Department, the logo (which is used in basketball and volleyball) was “designed to reflect a fierce and competitive attitude” across campus. The maroon numbers tie into the historic jerseys and school colors well and create a distinct appearance for the program.
The all-maroon alternates are equally special in their own regard. Rather than a Tiger logo above the numbers, the jerseys feature cursive “Tigers” lettering, a small throwback to other historic jerseys seen through Trinity’s history. The jersey also has gray outlines on the collar and sleeves, giving a small nod to the past while being modern in its own way.
The evolution of both teams, from over four decades ago to today, has been more than just in fashion. The game has changed so much that it’s practically unrecognizable to modern audiences, both in terms of player appearance and on-court action strategies. As the game continues to evolve, fashion — both on and off the court — will grow alongside it.
