Nearly two years ago, Florida State approached longtime partner Nike for assistance to evaluate, enhance and express the celebrated marks of its athletics programs and set a visual direction that respects the history of the program for the next generation of Seminoles.
FSU’s first directive related to creating color consistency for the primary garnet color across uniforms, sideline gear, coaching gear and fan apparel. FSU expressed the desire to return to a truer garnet that would be as consistent as possible across all sports and all materials.
Florida State Athletics and Seminole Boosters have recognized that the Seminole Head primary logo, while as recognizable and iconic as any in all of sports, does not reproduce well in a number of mediums. FSU asked Nike for help in refining the logo so that consistency can be achieved without diminishing the identity of the iconic image. FSU consulted with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the effort arrived at a design that can take FSU Athletics into the future.
FSU Athletics wanted its teams and student-athletes to wear uniforms that are as technically advanced as any in college athletics. Nike’s state-of-the-art uniform materials are significantly lighter, more aerodynamic, more durable and superior in every respect to the uniforms FSU teams currently wear. The possibility of a competitive disadvantage continuing in this area was unacceptable.
FSU worked closely with Nike designers to develop a look that accurately represents the excitement and tradition of today’s Seminole football. In commissioning the creative changes, Florida State welcomed Nike’s concept of making the uniforms even more symbolic of its relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida while maintaining its iconic look. The Seminole patchwork on the football jersey sleeves contain the Tribe’s symbols for Arrow, Man on Horse, and Fire, with the helmet spears crossing in the back representative of the crossed bars of the state flag.
While Florida State’s football coaches have worn garnet sideline shirts over the past several years, Florida State athletics was looking to use the color consistently across all sports and applications. Florida State will be the only Nike partner, pro or college, using this as its primary color. In addition, a unique font called UNCONQUERED has been created, along with uniform insignias and numbers that will be adopted across all sports.
FSU debuts today a refined Seminole Head logo that has been approved by Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman James Billie and retains the iconic image with renewed spark and energy.
In addition, Florida State’s student-athletes will practice and compete next year in materials engineered to provide a competitive advantage
Finally, all FSU teams will have a new look that maintains the tradition of the past while reflecting a strong, youthful and bold attitude that will take Florida State Athletics into the future and has resulted in a collection called….IGNITION – TRADITION.
