Back to the College Football Uniforms
UTEP used Fan Appreciation Day in 2011 to reveal their current Nike uniforms, but reaction was less than inspiring.
The Miners’ gameday options resemble Syracuse practice uniforms with the same color scheme and lack of originality. There were two options initially — all navy with orange accents and white numerals along with a white choice with orange accents and orange numerals — before an all-orange get up was unveiled in 2012.
The best feature, though not necessarily innovative, was the swoosh’s inclusion of a “MINERS” wordmark in contrasting colors that stretches up the thigh on UTEP’s navy, orange or white pants choices. The Miners wore their all-orange combination with navy shoulders, numerals and side panels for the first time in their 2012 opener against Oklahoma. Numbers were difficult to see and the program’s “MINERS” wordmark in navy was lost due to its size.
Like most non-BCS Nike-sponsored programs, the Miners are forced to go with the swoosh’s uniform template worn by a slew of other schools that only changes every 2-3 seasons. UTEP has worn an orange helmet with a blue “UTEP” graphic since 1999 and added blue and white stripes down the middle the following season for its current look.
There was chatter in 2010 about an upcoming switch from the swoosh to Adidas, but talks never materialized between the Miners and three stripes brand. Perhaps a new partnership with a different apparel company would provide UTEP with its own unique appearance.
