Back to the College Football Uniforms
With its sights set on cashing in on Hawaii’s football success in the mid 2000s, Under Armour secured an eight-year deal with the Warriors in 2008 following the Pacific Rim program’s departure from Nike after a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
Unfortunately for Under Armour, the Warriors haven’t been nationally-relevant or back to the BCS since. At the time, Hawaii became Under Armour’s fifth school, joining Auburn, Maryland, Texas Tech and South Carolina.
Under Armour’s new sets at Hawaii debuted with more green, moving away from the black that dominated the Colt Brennan Nike era from 2005-07. Under the swoosh, Hawaii’s wordmarks were tiny across jerseys as “WARRIORS” and uniforms had more intense silver elements. Nike’s best feature may have been its Samoan-style thigh stripe across the left leg of its home and away pants.
Hawaii’s color scheme was altered to its current green and black style in 2000 after June Jones took over as coach and didn’t like the previous “Rainbows” moniker. Hawaii’s “Rainbow” primary logo lasted from 1982-1997 before switching to its current battle-style green “H” with a black outline and white markings.
In May 2013, the school announced all of its men’s athletic teams’ official nickname would return to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Under Armour’s first uniforms for the Warriors in 2008 included two-tone tops with thin piping along the shoulders and pants. Prior to the start of the 2011, Under Armour’s uniforms were updated with school-specific graphic numerals, wide-stretch shoulder stripes and monochrome white road and black home sets, each combination defined by green trim.
A Wounded Warrior, freedom-inspired mock was unveiled in 2012. Red, white and blue accents replaced green on Hawaii’s all-black alternates. Last names on jerseys were replaced with Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Country or Service. The current “H” logo represents ‘ohana (family) and teamwork.
In the 1980s and 90s, Hawaii’s pants were rainbow striped along with a similar pattern adorning jersey sleeves. Under Armour may reveal an updated throwback look to the “Rainbow” years during the 2013 season.
