Mizzou Tigers Unveil New Uniforms; Updated Brand

(University of Missouri Press Release) COLUMBIA, Mo. – Today the University of Missouri, in partnership with Nike, introduced a department wide brand and identity program as well as new team looks for football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and soccer for the 2012-13 season.

During the unveiling, which took place at halftime during the Black & Gold Spring Game, student-athletes representing each of the five teams were on hand to model the new uniforms. While each uniform delivers optimal lightweight performance and protection, Nike worked closely with the athletic department staff to bring relevant elements of the school’s rich heritage into a distinguished, modern uniform design. Each uniform now incorporates consistent use of colors, logos, lettering and numbering.

“The University of Missouri brand is one that stands for pride, integrity, social responsibility and hard work but until now, our visual identity has been inconsistent across various sports,” said Don Barnes, Director of Equipment Operations. “With Nike’s help we have been able to develop brand guidelines that honor our traditions and also reinforce consistency across all athletics. It was important to keep the Tiger at the forefront while creating consistency across our colors, fonts and numbering and we take great pride in unveiling the first five teams today that embody these important changes.”

Through a decade-long partnership with Nike, the Mizzou athletic department was able to work with Nike designers on a special project to help bring the university’s brand values to the surface and create a color, font and logo palate that help reflect those values. This new identity system sets a foundation for all athletic communication including products, uniforms, fan gear and facilities for this generation and future generations. In addition to providing teams with a consistent appearance, Mizzou student-athletes will benefit from the continued innovation and unique performance advantages that the partnership with Nike will deliver. Throughout the project, equal attention was devoted to maintaining an appreciation for the traditions of the past, while positioning the athletics program for the future.

“Nike has a long standing partnership with the University of Missouri and we were honored to be asked to help elevate and refine their historic brand identity,” said Todd Van Horne, Nike’s Creative Director for Football. “We take great pride in giving athletes an advantage by providing them with cutting edge innovation as well as uniform designs that honor the school’s heritage. It has been a privilege to collaborate with this team to help develop a look that’s truly reflective of Mizzou tradition.”

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI’S NEW IDENTITY STANDARDS

COLORS
A refined color palette allows for instant team identification and heightens emotional ties to the Mizzou name. The official colors for Mizzou are black and gold, in keeping with the colors of the Bengal Tiger. Gold, Black, Anthracite and White are used for the foundation of the Mizzou Athletics color palette.

TYPOGRAPHY / WORD MARKS
A custom athletics primary and secondary typeface has been designed with unique letter parts that are carried throughout the alphabet. These unique characteristics of the typeface are infused with speed and the serifs are sleek and powerful drawing inspiration from the ear of the tiger.

PRIMARY IDENTITY – THE “TIGER”
Soon after Missouri’s first football team was formed in 1890, the athletics committee adopted the nickname “Tiger” in official recognition of a group of local militia called “The Missouri Tigers” who defended Columbia from guerillas during the Civil War. The Tiger Head logo is the primary representation of the brand and is used as the main identifying device for athletics. It is an instantly recognizable symbol representing Mizzou Athletics.

SECONDARY IDENTITY – MIZZOU
Mizzou is the University of Missouri’s nickname originating in a campus cheer that used the phrase “Mizzou, Rah, Rah” and published in the Missouri Alumni Quarterly (now called MIZZOU) as early as 1905.

TERTIARY IDENTITY – TIGER STRIPES
The stripes on the tiger are unique to each animal, much in the same way that fingerprints are to humans. A custom tiger print has been developed to enrich the overall identity package.

NEW 2012-2013 UNIFORMS

FOOTBALL
The fully integrated Nike Pro Combat system of dress provides enhanced durability and innovation from the inside out where the baselayer and padding work in concert with the jersey and pant. The uniform system design emphasizes improved thermoregulation and is constructed with fabric selected for its ability to help keep the body cool and wick away sweat – making the uniform, and player, lighter and dryer. The jerseys are made of four-way stretch woven twill that sheds moisture. A Flywire collar eliminates two layers of fabric for improved breathability, providing a more stable anchor to keep the jersey in place.

BASKETBALL (MEN’S AND WOMEN’S)
This fully integrated system of dress is designed and developed so that the jersey and short work in concert with the padded Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong baselayer for optimal protection. The jersey features a fully sublimated flat-back “Aerographic” mesh panel that delivers the ultimate in lightweight performance. The lightweight game short features seamless contrast side panel construction that reduces irritation and bulk

VOLLEYBALL
The volleyball uniform features Dri-FIT fabrication throughout, with a combination of lightweight stretch fabrication for optimized fit, as well as side mesh panels strategically placed for moisture management where it’s needed. Bold graphics across the uniform showcase team name and school colors.

SOCCER
These lightweight uniforms feature a unique thermoregulation system using the Dri-FIT flat back mesh panel for increased airflow throughout the game. The fully sublimated design of the uniform provides superior lightweight performance allowing for freedom of movement. Bold graphics across the uniform showcase team name and school colors.