Football: UL uniform mockups not a hit

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, May 8, 2014

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UL head coach Mark Hudspeth and athletic director Scott Farmer talk about the new Adidas football ‘mock-up’ uniforms. Chad Washington, The Advertiser

The Ragin’ Cajuns put the football fashion world, or at least Lafayette’s little corner of it, into a spin Wednesday with the reveal of a new uniforms deal for their athletic teams.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced a multi-year agreement for Portland, Oregon,-based Adidas to serve as official apparel, athletic footwear and accessory brand of the Ragin’ Cajuns.

The partnership is for three years starting July 1 and includes two mutual one-year options.

The deal calls for Adidas to pay UL $250,000 per year, plus a $50,000 signing bonus, making its total value $1.3 million for the full five years.

More than the money, though, what had many abuzz Wednesday were the football outfits adorning two mannequins for a news conference at the Edith Garland Dupre Library on UL’s campus.

Both had simple white pants.

One had a red jersey top, the other white, both with big, easy-to-see numerals and the nickname "RAGIN’ CAJUNS" stitched across the top with a pepper playing the part of apostrophe.

Instant social-media feedback was less than enthusiastic, with self-appointed fashion critics panning the uniforms’ plainness and the fact "RAGIN’ CAJUNS" was across the front, not "LOUISIANA."

The school is embroiled in a name controversy, and — in an effort to shed the Lafayette designation for its sports teams — recently splashed "LOUISIANA" on its team’s uniforms.

UL reps were quick to say after the event that the displayed football uniforms were merely mockups, however.

"Those aren’t the final product," athletic director Scott Farmer said.

Farmer said Wednesday night that one set of new UL football uniforms "says Louisiana" and "the other says Ragin’ Cajuns."

Football coach Mark Hudspeth said "we’ll have a lot of different uniform combinations," and later tweeted that "LOUISIANA will be big part of uni!!"

UL teams previously wore gear from multiple apparel companies, including football jerseys by Russell and Nike cleats.

Now, Hudspeth said, "We’ll be top-to-bottom (Adidas), instead of a mismatch."

UL women’s soccer coach Scot Wieland said wearing "Adidas bling" brings a "wow factor."

Having a big-name uniform supplier is important to his players, suggested Hudspeth, who also believes it will help attract future student-athletes.

"It’s really gonna add just another notch in a our belt as we go our and sell our university in recruiting," he said.

Like rival Nike, Adidas is a major player in American sports and worldwide.

It dresses more than 70 college programs, including Michigan, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Tennessee and UCLA.

"Kids want to look good," Hudspeth said. "Everybody’s always trying to look sharper than the other one."

Beyond the $250,000 annual base, Adidas also will pay UL undisclosed amounts for reaching certain incentives, including but not limited to conference Coach of the Year awards for various sports; football bowl appearances; and NCAA postseason appearances for basketball, baseball and softball.

Marketing benefits for Adidas include signage at UL athletic venues Cajun Field, the Cajundome, M.L. "Tigue" Moore and Lamson Park.

Farmer said UL’s new deal is "a little bit higher" than those of fellow Sun Belt Conference-member schools.

It’s far, however, from the five-year, $40 million agreement ESPN recently reported was signed by Louisville and Adidas, which placed its men’s and women’s basketball teams in the 2013 title games.

According to ESPN, that’s one of the five most-valuable current college deals.

It’s something to strive for, Farmer suggested.

"You’ve got to just keep growing your program," he said. "Growing the exposure, and growing the recognition."

Reader thoughts:

Callie Spangler: I think they look good!

Jared Mooring: Terrible uniforms. Took a major step back from the Russell jerseys.

Garret Guidry: Horrible.

Jason Blansett: If these will be the final product … disappointing.

John Karam: Awful! Just awful!! Go back to Russell!

Chris Pontiff: Should have left LOUISIANA over the number

Rick Latiolais: I don’t care for them.

Deb Duhon: Not impressed. looks like workout clothes

Wanda Shannon: If the players like them, that’s good enough for me.