allCanesBlog guest columnist Scott Alan Salomon attended the adidas uniform unveiling at Club LIV on Saturday night, as did allCanes general manger Harry Rothwell; catching up with former players and Salomon giving his recap of the spirited Saturday night event.
Saturday night the University of Miami and adidas officially unveiled the Hurricanes new Primeknit football uniforms for the 2015 season.
The gala bash at the world-famous Club LIV night club at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach played to a packed house that featured such luminaries as Al Golden, Katie Meier and former players which included Jonathan Vilma, Brian Blades and Brett Romberg.
The event featured surprise performances by DJ Cannon and rapper Pusha T. The partnership between the nationally-recognized Hurricanes brand and the three-stripe adidas brand will commence on September 1, 2015.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Miami athletic department, the team’s new look is highlighted by updated metallic stripes on the jerseys and pans, including hurricane style cuts, according to a release issued by the manufacturer.
Further, the “Hurricanes” logo, the “U” is strategically placed throughout the uniform set, including the rubbing of the inside collar for the players to see when they put on the uniform. It is also stitched on the back of the jersey for the world to see on television and for opponents to see when they are chasing the Hurricane ball carriers to the end zone.
“I am impressed, the new jerseys are awesome,” Romberg said. “I am impressed with the whole thing. They kept it simple and kept it classy and stuck with the tradition that made the program successful.”
Romberg went on to add that the jerseys are only as good as the respect that the players have for the uniforms that they are wearing.
“Guys have to have pride on the names on the front of the jersey as much as the names on the back of the jersey,” Romberg said as he alluded to the fact that the word “Miami” will be featured prominently on the front of the jerseys. “There was a sense of entitlement in the in the past and I think that it has run its course and it is time that these players made a name for themselves and ceased riding the coattails of those that came before them.
“They have to make their own ESPN 30-for-30 documentary.”
Romberg went on to say that he believes that the new uniform combinations and the partnership with adidas should assist in recruiting as players are going to want to wear this jersey set and that is rivals any other in the country.
“This was an opportunity for adidas and for UM to make a statement and they did that,” Romberg said. “Sex sells in college football and these new uniforms are sexy. It’s all about that image. They accomplished what they wanted to accomplish. It is a win-win for everyone.”
Blades, who played receiver for Miami in the late 80’s and won a national title in 1987 and wore the old Russell Athletic product, could not agree more.
“The business of college football is what it is all about today and adidas and the University of Miami are answering the challenge with these new uniforms,” Blades said as he appeared at the event with his lovely wife Keisha.
“Adidas is stepping up and putting a lot of money into college football and they are becoming the top dog in college football apparel and they wanted the University of Miami, the undisputed kings of the branding game. Miami is the hottest brand in college football and adidas is the hottest apparel maker in the game right now.”
Blades too thinks that this will help with recruiting.
“I did not like the Nike uniforms that were worn last year and recruits did not like them either,” Blades said. “These are going to turn a lot of heads and this partnership is going to make a lot of young kids happy. I have worn nothing but adidas since I have retired, so I am very happy with the change.”
Blades went on to add that when he went to Miami, he bled orange and green in his house and he and brother Bennie would have come to Miami if they wore plain white t-shirts.
“It did not matter to us, we bled orange and green in our house and we wanted to be Hurricanes,” Blades said. “My son plays for the Florida Hurricanes. We are a Hurricane house, always were and always will be. Al’s son is a commit and it is in our blood. We would have worn anything to play for Miami.”