‘Jazzed up’ unis on full display

Hawaii's 8-year deal with Under Armour appears to be a perfect fit

WARRIOR BOWL Hawaii spring football scrimmage, Saturday, 7 p.m., Aloha Stadium

Greg McMackin said his Hawaii football team's uniforms don't just look good. They're functional, too, the coach said, at yesterday's unveiling of the 2008 home and away duds. They're the first installment of attire in the Warriors' eight-year deal with Under Armour that provides UH with more than $4 million in goods and services.

If they live up to their billing, the unis could come in handy in the humidity of Gainesville, Fla., when UH opens there Aug. 30.

"It's going to help us win games," McMackin said. "It keeps you cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool."

And at least one Warrior loves the look.

"It's like they kept the tradition of the Hawaiian print but they jazzed it up," senior slotback Mike Washington said. "It's tight."

Washington likes another functional aspect of the new gear. Under Armour shoes are known for being very light.

"For skill position guys, receivers, DBs, definitely good," Washington said.

Hawaii is just the fifth school to make an apparel deal with Under Armour. The others are Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech. Senior Vice President of Marketing Kevin Haley said his company targeted UH when he learned three months ago its deal with Nike was coming to an end.

"There's a select few programs we have a relationship with. With Hawaii, I think it's a perfect fit. It's a program with a rich heritage, but also with a lot of youth and passion and appeal to the next generation," said Haley, who was present at yesterday's unveiling. "We didn't find out Hawaii was available until late January. It was not our plan. We didn't think it was available. It was not in our plans or our budget, but it was a once in a lifetime. We reached out from a number of different angles.

"We're very excited about the opportunity and the partnership."

Associate athletic director John McNamara handled much of the deal on UH's end.

"Hawaii and Under Armour were on parallel tracks, moving forward," he said.