June 10, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame today unveiled retro-style adidas football uniforms that the Fighting Irish will wear against Michigan on Sept. 10, 2011, to celebrate the first night game ever played at Michigan Stadium.
This will be the first prime-time meeting between the Irish and Wolverines since a 1990 matchup of top-five teams in South Bend. ESPN will broadcast the game nationally at 8 p.m. EDT.
“We are happy to partner with adidas to help commemorate the first night game at Michigan Stadium with new uniforms,” said Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly. “It seems fitting that the two schools with the two best winning percentages in college football play in this historic game. I know our players are looking forward to the contest and both teams’ new uniforms will only add to the excitement in the Big House on September 10.”
Paying homage to the rich football tradition of Notre Dame football, the Irish “Under the Lights” adidas uniform includes a white jersey with Kelly green lettering and two Kelly green shoulder stripes, old gold-colored pants, white socks with green stripes and white shoes. A large shamrock logo appears on the traditional gold helmet for the first time since the early 1960s. The years the Fighting Irish won National Championships are listed inside the bottom hem of the jersey.
“Since 1997, adidas and Notre Dame have had a strong relationship and we are glad to produce an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes and fans by creating vintage uniforms for this game,” said Notre Dame Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick. “Special events like this make college football unique on the sporting landscape and we are happy to partner with adidas and Michigan in this project. We look forward to working with adidas in honoring our unparalleled history and tradition while also focusing on new and innovative initiatives for the future.”
“Notre Dame’s first-ever varsity football game was against Michigan in 1887 so the ‘Under the Lights’ game is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the long-standing heritage between two of the most successful programs in college football history,” said Jon Yuska, director of sports licensing design, adidas. “Worn by more All-Americans and Heisman Trophy winners, Notre Dame’s football uniform is one of the most iconic in all of sports and to create the vintage-inspired jerseys, we dove deep into the school’s football tradition and drew design inspirations from throughout the program’s storied history.”
Fans can purchase the Notre Dame retro jersey starting Aug. 1 for $80. Later this summer, adidas will launch an “Under the Lights” fan collection – including retro style t-shirts, hats, jackets and sweatshirts featuring a vintage feel and design inspired by Notre Dame football history and its rivalry with Michigan.
Football fans can visit www.facebook.com/adidasfootballUS for more information, photos and videos of the Under the Lights collection.
Adidas Football develops high-performance and lightweight football cleats, apparel and accessories for some of the greatest players and teams in the game including more than 70 collegiate football programs. adidas is a global designer and developer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world.
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For more information visit www.adidas.com/football, www.facebook.com/adidasfootballUS.