Names will be left off OU jerseys

By Justin Harper

Published: August 6, 2006

NORMAN - Sure, everyone knows No. 28. Most know No. 42. And No. 12 will soon be easily recognizable. As for the rest, better keep a roster handy.

Fans who know their favorite player's number will have a distinct advantage when watching Oklahoma football games this season. Those expecting to figure out who's who by the name on the back of a player's jersey are out of luck.

OU will wear new Nike-designed jerseys and pants this season -- and while the look is virtually the same, the jerseys are cut different than others OU has worn. The new style would require a smaller name patch on the back, which would require lettering that is more narrow and tightly spaced.

Given that, coupled with coach Bob Stoops' desire to bolster team unity, Sooner players will not have names on the backs of their jerseys this season.

It will mark the first time since 1973 OU won't have surnames on football jerseys. In fact, OU has had the names on the back longer than it has had the "Sooners" name on the front, which came about in 1980.

Although Stoops has decided to not use the name plates, Greg Tipton, OU's director of athletics equipment, has the plates with each player's last name made up and ready to sew on if there is a change. In the past, name plates were rectangular, but the new ones are rounded off on the corners.

However, the facet of OU players' focus being on the team rather than the individual was an integral part of the nameless-look decision according to Stoops.

"It's about maybe being a little less self-centered and little more team-oriented, but that's a very small part of it," he said. "There's a whole lot more that goes into all this than having your name on a jersey. So, we'll see how it works."

Still, a primary factor was not being able to find the right look. The fabric name plates apparently didn't blend in visually. One issue is that the lettering is too small to read on longer names. Another is how the name plates are situated on the jersey when shoulder pads are worn.

Friday, 12 players were asked their preference and all 12 said they hoped that the name plates would be used.

"I've seen them and I think they look pretty good," said defensive back D.J. Wolfe. "They look different, kind like an oval. But I think it looks OK. But if it's about showing we're together as a team then I'm fine without having them. All of us are."

The Nike material, which is called Cordura, is 25 percent lighter than regular jerseys and the breathable fabric keeps players cooler and whisks away sweat. The pants do not have strings at the waist and have a feel similar to paper -- only with elasticity.

"We worked for about two years to get the exact look," Tipton said. "The first jersey (Nike) brought to us in the summer of 2004 we said no. In the summer of 2005 we said no to another one. But in October of '05 they finally had it where we wanted it."

The first two prototypes had too much solid material and not enough mesh on the front. The new ones have solid material on the back where the numbers are located. Also, the size of the numbers on the back weren't to OU's liking on the first model.

"We're a Nike program and one of their premier outlets. But we didn't want to mess with the integrity and look of our uniforms," Tipton said. "You're going to notice on game days that the jerseys are more streamline and have a better look. We've seen them on and the finished product looks good."