The pump was primed for today. Last week SDSU Football released a post signaling Monday, July 14th as ‘One week out’. But one week out from what?
Fall Camp is scheduled to begin July 28th, one whole month before the season’s opening kickoff Thursday, August 28th vs FCS Stoneybrook at home. Surely it couldn’t have been that.
Our sources indicated a release of a revised uniform variation for this upcoming football season and that triggered everyone’s thoughts on what could the changes be? Would they be drastic? Is this just a edit on one of the most iconic uniforms to be released in quite a while.
Believe it or not guys, the Piedra Del Sol (Aztec Sun Stone) themed uniforms are a decade old now. Making their debut in the 2015 season, when they were released to the public it was unlike any other uniform that has ever been. With the ancient calendar design and the intricate production of the helmet, it truly does stand alone in college football magnificence.
The year it was introduced concluded with the start of back to back Championship seasons. Pumphrey & Penny never looked so good running in those majestic killer threads.
Through the decade there have been some tweaks & adjustments. Mainly on the helmet, as the lines were thickened up a bit and the red in the helmet was brightened up. Not to mention the actual helmet finish changed from a high shine to a matted down look so that the design could pop clearer from afar and on television.
Fast forward to today and the continuity of that uniform/helmet combination are the remains of a truly great period in Aztecs football. So why the change all of a sudden?
Did the program need an infusion of new energy? Well, yes. Are there new revenues to be made in the world of sports when it comes to updating official merchandise? Definitely that too. Did the program get annoyed with all you tweeters requesting changes? No doubt.
Now once upon a time, I used to be a fashion designer—and I use that term very loosely. I designed urban sportswear in a time where clothing brands were all the rage no matter what industry you were in. Every rapper, singer, and actor had their own line and many of them made a lot of money off them.
So with that experience I have a critical eye when it comes to sports and fashion. So let’s take a closer look at what SDSU did here and see if the changes are truly justified, shall we.
Keeping the Legend
First things first, this update is already off to a tremendous start by keeping the Piedra del sol on the helmet and the jersey sleeves. It has gained so much attention already that had the Aztecs been in a much bigger conference where visibility is much higher, it would be even more renowned today.
There are still many who have yet to see SDSU’s helmet but every time we see newbies take notice it’s always a good thing. If it ain’t broke, you don’t have to go sticking your foot anywhere trying to fix something.
One element of the helmet that doesnt get enough attention however is the reverse side of it all. The SD logo along with the USA flag as a duo just absolutely rocks. Placing them together on the thickest part of the helmet stripe is logically the only but still best thing to do in that space.
Only one more year til we can peel off the MW logo and add the new Pac-12 icon. Then we’ll be cooking with grease. Thanks for not f’ing this up Aztecs.
Pop Your Collars
The first change we’ll take a look at is the one that jumps off the screen even if a small detail. The collars. Going from all black to all red on both color ways is a sweet change. Not only does the red connect the sleeves together nicely it also draws in the helmet to form a more cohesive look.
Notice I said more cohesive, not totally cohesive. If I’m being nitpicky, I’m still a little unsatisfied with the fact all the sizable red on the jersey is accompanied with the piedra del sol artwork on it. The collar stands out being a clean all red that truly does pop out. Almost too much. It doesn’t tie in with those other areas and to me looks a little disjointed.
I’m not advocating for putting the calendar artwork on the collar though—I don’t think it would work. I’d probably make it black But it does just screw up my OCD.
Where are your ALL Whites
For years all I see online are cries out for all white uniforms to make a comeback. But the football program feels even more superstitiously about the all whites, than the basketball program feels about their all reds. Ooooooh are them’s fighting words?
Well that was then—this is now. So Aztec fan, you got ’em. You happy now?
Probably not.
The all new whites are sick. When you see the complete all whites together in action is looks good—real good. It’s a white helmet away from being a real storm trooper look and that’s just fine for all you Star Wars geeks, but I want a black helmet on top of that popsicle stick, you know what I’m sayin?
No but seriously, it’s all a very professional look—the collar and the all whites. Back in the day, the old Aztecs uniforms were a very similar vibe to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. Today it feels a little closer to that again. Unique, clean, classy but still with an edge.
Now let’s get down to the biggest change.
I see it, you see it, we all see it. Or should I say we all don’t see it.
The school’s name on the front of course.
In the home and away versions of these uniforms gone is the SAN DIEGO STATE across the chest. Put in it’s place are the numbers bumped up a bit and possibly enlarged. The collar draws down at the top to fill in some space and the SD logo is so prominent it does a solid job of making you feel there was never any text there to begin with.
And why should there be honestly?
Someone on X said it looked very Pac-12’ish. And I agree. If you are something, you don’t need to scream out the announcement every day that you are that. Just be it, do it, and people will know it. They will feel it and in time come to respect it.
But enough about why we should drop the BeTheA1pha shtick, we’re talking uniforms and school names here.
For the lack of sounding like my twelve year old self complaining to my parents that I’ve outgrown and don’t want my name tagged on my school clothes anymore … But … none of the other big boy brand named college football teams have their name on their chest mom!
Some of you don’t like this change and that’s fine. You’ll get over it and grow accustomed to it with time. After all it’s a small change, yet a bold step. Sort of like the Spring game, it’s what Sean Lewis regime is banking on. That we can change some things up and get this program going in the right direction over time. And that’s exactly what we’ve got with this uniform—one decade of success, but time to make some updates.
I’ve said it over and over again, having the name representation of the AZTECS is perhaps the biggest advantage in all the college world with the plethora of art & design possibilities at your disposal. The incredible visuals the culture created through art & religion are undeniable. While this iteration of uniforms and theme in the University is fantastic, it’s really only scratching the surface.
Regardless of the motivations for this change, or whether you feel they’re necessary or not, the San Diego State Aztecs football program with this renewed look have once again exclaimed that WE ARE AZTECS by doubling down on the piedra del sol and the spear element SD logo—and there ain’t no changing that.
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