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This is Sparta!
The macho, in-your-face persona worked in the blockbuster film “300”, so Nike’s System of Dress Pro Combat uniforms should work for the Spartans of Michigan State right? They did in 2011. MSU’s menacing forest green top and black pants with a bronze helmet combination was one of the most unique in college football, borrowing anecdotes from Spartan warrior garb in ancient Greece.
According to Nike, King Leonidas’ battle cry of “Molon Labe” is stitched inside the collar, a phrase meaning “come and get me.”
Since the 1950s, the Spartans have donned their traditional green jerseys with white numerals at home and the inverse on the road. In 2002 during MSU’s second year with Nike, wholesale changes to the jerseys and corresponding wordmarks were met with disdain and only lasted one season. The classic “Michigan State” press across the crest was altered to “STATE” and piping was used instead of numerals on shoulders.
Nike’s latest rebranding in 2010 prior to the Sparta Pro Combat uniforms included a darker shade green – instead of metallic green — updated font and bronze trim. MSU has sported its current green shell with a wide white stripe since 2010. The Spartan helmet sticker reappeared after a 13-year hiatus in 1995 and has been on gameday shells since – excluding the 2001 and ’02 seasons when the traditional block “S” from the 80s was worn. In 2012’s rivalry game with Michigan, the Spartans joined the HydroFX craze and wore metallic green lids.
In 1977, MSU’s Spartan head logo was altered for a less human look, resembling a war helmet instead. One year prior, MSU’s green shells were decorated with white player numerals – one of only eight years since 1960 that gameday helmets did not feature a Spartan or block “S” graphic.
Before MSU became one of Nike’s elite in 2000, the Spartans had a contract with Reebok.
