As some of you may know and know well, our sports department has been gutted with the graduation of three prominent writers. With losing a stellar sports mind such as our friend Keltin, and proven writers such as Matt and C.J. at the Hereford Brand, it will be some tough shoes to fill this semester.
And so for the first edition of this new semester, I will step in and provide some sports commentary while the search for a new column writer is in the works. Now, whether that will be next week, next month, or next semester will be determined as everything progresses.
I’m just asking nicely to bear with me for a little while.
Let me introduce myself first. I am Tyler Anderson, the Co-Editor of The Prairie. I have been tasked to make sure our sports get great, consistent coverage as well as making sure our newspapers hit the stands for you to read and enjoy.
Other than enjoying long walks on the beach, I have been a sports reporter in the past. Covering soccer, basketball, football, and having the privilege to report on the Amarillo Venom in the past, I’m very well versed with the sports landscape of West Texas A&M sports as well as the Amarillo sports scene.
With the introduction aside, let’s talk about some sports. More importantly, let’s talk sports uniforms. I’m a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to what your favorite sports clubs wear.
Lately, there is a new trend in the NBA and the NCAA to wear sleeved jerseys. While Adidas has been reporting that the reaction has been “very positive”, I believe it’s quite ridiculous.
LeBron James, as it appears from his comments about the sleeved jerseys from the Heat’s Christmas game, may be in the same camp as I am about how restrictive these uniforms could be for one’s shooting motion.
This is coming from a former basketball player, not a very good one, but one who knows how restrictive a compression shirt or sleeved jersey can be when playing ball. Also, to wear a sleeveless basketball jersey was a rite of passage. While it did show a profound farmer’s tan at times, it showed that I was indeed a basketball player.
Another reason is that it’s a money grab for Adidas and the NBA, prompting fans to buy expensive team merchandise to add to their collections.
Some may call me a traditionalist when it comes to uniforms, and that’s fine. I just want a design, whether it’s on paper or on an article of clothing, to make sense for its company, organization or sports club. I also don’t believe in change for the sake of change. I also don’t believe in a brand with so many identities and looks that it lacks consistency.
That’s probably why I don’t like all of the whacky college football uniforms that come out nowadays.
Yes, I know athletes love new stuff for their swag arsenals, but there is indeed a fine line between a uniform and a clown suit.
