Brown back in vogue at U of M
Bison athletic department returns to roots after 12-year hiatus
Rachel Walton
Photo by Derek Law.
If you have watched a Bison sports game recently, you may have noticed an interesting modification in the athletes’ attire. Brown and gold appears to be making a comeback.
In fact, most students had become so accustomed to players garbed in black and gold that the addition of brown into the standard uniform came as a shock to spectators at a recent game, including third-year science student Mary Bertram.
“I really don’t think that those two colours work too well together,” said Bertram at a women’s volleyball game this season when she saw the prominence of brown in their jerseys.
Although this change is seen as a fairly novel idea, the Bisons originally wore brown and gold uniforms. After all, brown and gold are the University of Manitoba’s official colours.
However, contrary to popular belief, the change to a black and gold uniform was not for aesthetic purposes, but because the brown required for the uniforms and outer garments was becoming increasingly difficult to get — it is made at a higher cost.
The colour black was cheaper and more readily available, thus the change about 12 years ago to a more easily recognizable black and gold uniform.
The custom-made brown that is desired in the uniform is no longer nearly as expensive as it was about 12 years ago, with dying techniques more easily accessible and economical today, said Coleen Dufresne, athletic director of Bison sports.
“We felt it was an opportune time to be creative in our uniforms and return to the true colours of the university,” said Dufresne.
Working in collaboration with U of M president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Emoke J.E. Szathmary, a decision was also made to use a gold known as “old gold” or “Vegas gold” to better accent the brown in the uniforms. Dufresne also said brown and gold colours clearly show off the identity and uniqueness of the U of M.
In any case, the athletic teams are indeed one of the university’s more noticeable representations on the national stage, as the athletes represent the school across the country. In fact, wearing black and gold made the U of M the only university in Canada that was not wearing their official colours in competition. Additionally, there is no longer any real reason to be black and gold, besides mere habit.
Fifth-year women’s volleyball captain Lindsay Poggemiller likes the change, because it makes the team look distinct.
“They’re really nice and well-designed,” said Poggemiller. “Brown is more unique than black, and no other university has brown jerseys.”
Men’s volleyball captain Jeff Zystra likes the unique look of the new uniforms.“We haven’t gotten the brown jerseys yet,” said Zystra. “But they look retro; it’s cool.”
The 12-year hiatus from the original colours has caused most students to become comfortable with the colour black. All of the clothing, like sweats and hoodies found at the campus bookstore, sports the black and gold colours. And so far, most athletes don’t seem to have any compliments about the change in colours.
Students at a recent volleyball game versus Brandon could be heard voicing their displeasure about the change in the uniforms.
“Can’t we just change the official colours of the university to be black and gold?” one student said. “It looks way better and we’re already used to it.”
