Penn State Making Uniform Changes, But Can Take It Another Step Further

Penn State athletics issued an official release outlining uniform changes that elsewhere would hardly be noteworthy, but after decades of the same style garb are monumental in State College.

Last names on the back of the jersey and a blue ribbon signifying support of child abuse victims will appear on the classic, blue-and-white uniforms this season. Nittany Lion football is taking baby steps away from its past. The coming seasons provide opportunity to spring forward into a new identity.

Things like uniforms and helmets are frivolous, if not completely trivial. A serious discussion of what PSU could or should do with its look is completely misguided given the horrors that necessitated cultural change there. However, gear can be the catalyst for positive.

Ribbons are nice gestures, but money talks. A more meaningful gesture would be commitment of a percentage from apparel sales to children’s charities. The NCAA mandated PSU must pay $60 million to children’s abuse prevention charities and organizations, but Nittany Lion football can expand on that. This 2009 Collegiate Licensing Company report said PSU was one of the top 10 earners in the multi-million dollar athletic apparel industry. An updated jersey is not only a symbolic deviation from the past, but encouragement for fans to restock their wardrobe accordingly.

PSU is partnered with Nike, the overwhelming king of the athletic clothing and apparel market. Nike founder Phil Knight made a symbolic gesture when he commissioned the removal of Joe Paterno’s name from the child development center at his company’s Oregon base.

And as for the ribbon, incorporating this as a full-time part of the jersey, including replica versions sold to fans, keeps the issue prominent and relevant. Nothing can ever undo what happened in State College, but PSU can become a leading voice in preventing similar atrocities from ever again being stifled.