ATLANTA – The Georgia State football team unveiled new uniforms for the 2013 season on Friday, revealing a total of 12 combinations for the Panthers this fall. The new look includes two additional pants to go along with a second helmet (revealed during spring practice).
The combinations were unveiled over two days as fans powered the process through social media. Tagboard.com, a new Seattle-based startup, aggregated all the social messages and GSU posted a new piece of the uniform 'puzzle' each hour for five hours Thursday, and then compeleted the project Friday. At one point Thursday morning, fans were able to get the GSU hashtag #allblueallin trending in Atlanta.
The Panthers will be able to choose from the traditional blue helmet with GSU logo on the side and an anthracite-colored helmet with the script Panthers logo. First-year coach Trent Miles recently called the anthracite look a “hot item and the players absolutely love it.”
“Everyone is excited to have new combinations, and it will be cool to see what different uniforms we wear each game,” senior cornerback Brent McClendon said. “They all look good, but we really love the black helmets and pants.”
Also new this year will be two sets of pants: one blue and one anthracite to match the helmet, giving the Panthers three pants combinations for the first time (including the traditional white pants). There are also changes to both the blue and white jerseys, including having GEORGIA STATE emblazoned across the front of all the jerseys and the players' number on the sleeves.
The gear includes the newest Nike Pro Combat jersey, which will allow better comfort and still provide the performance players are looking for, according to head equipment manager Nick Vogt.
“When you put the jersey on, it conforms to the body and the shoulder pads better. It's an athletic cut and looking at the video, you can tell the difference in the seams,” Vogt said. “Not only do you want it to be durable, but want it to perform to where the player doesn't feel like he is wearing a jersey, meaning he can freely move and use all of his athleticism.”
The Panthers will fit in well during their first season at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level and within the Sun Belt Conference. Around the league, five teams including GSU will have at least eight uniform combinations, led by South Alabama. The Jaguars will have 18 options as they also have two sets of cleats. Arkansas State and Western Kentucky will have nine combinations to wear and Louisiana-Lafayette, the only other team in the SBC with two helmets, will have eight options.
Georgia State opens the season on Aug. 30 at home in the Georgia Dome against Samford. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-866-GA-STATE or ordering online at GeorgiaStateSports.com. Fall camp begins on Aug. 3.
