OU Selected to Wear Latest Nike Technology

NORMAN, Okla. -- On Saturday, November 21, the University of Oklahoma football team will take the field wearing the Nike Pro Combat uniform, a new system of dress and the lightest football uniform Nike has ever created.

Nike designers immersed themselves in Sooner history and lore to bring inspirational cues to the look and direction of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms.

The uniforms respect the past of Oklahoma football, drawing inspiration from Bud Wilkinson's famed "fast break offense" that led the nation in scoring and won National Championships in 1955 and 1956. An all-white helmet is a nod to the teams that played during that era (1946 to 1956), as are the clean lines on the jersey and pants.

Oklahoma's team mantra "Sooner Magic" is printed on the inside of the jersey collar and on the cuff of the Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves the Sooners will wear.

“We greatly value and appreciate a wonderful partnership with Nike," said OU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs & Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "Several of the partner schools have been sought out to utilize new technology developed by Nike. We are flattered to be part of this program and excited that our student-athletes will be among the first to experience the improvements that have been made.

“In 2003, we had one of, if not the first throw-back uniform games among college football programs. We view this similarly and wanted to salute our past on a day when Nike outfits us in some of its newest product. In future seasons, we will continue to wear the state-of-the-art equipment Nike is providing to us, but will return to the same, traditional uniform style that we have worn for many years.”

OU's Nike Pro Combat Uniform | Video from Nike.com |

Pro Combat: Nike's Latest Technology

OU will be one of 11 elite football programs to debut the Nike Pro Combat uniform this month before they are officially introduced at the start of the 2010 season. Oklahoma is joined by Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Ohio State, Texas and TCU as the schools debuting the Nike Pro Combat uniform this month.

Nike designed the Pro Combat uniform to address the evolution of the game: today's players are stronger and faster and the collisions are more violent and explosive than ever before. Nike also worked with coaches and administrators at Oklahoma to bring inspiration to the Nike Pro Combat uniforms the Sooners will wear on November 21.

Official Nike Rivalry Products
As part of the Nike Pro Combat Rivalry program, the official OU Athletics Online Store has introduced a special line of merchandise for Sooner fans to show their support. Shop now for some of the latest items now in stock:

Official OU Nike Rivalry T-Shirt

Nike Replica Pro Combat Jersey

Official OU Nike Rivalry Hats

Superior Lightweight Innovation
The Nike Pro Combat uniform is 37 percent lighter than current designs (673 grams vs. 1,061 grams). Nike utilized a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water and as a result, the new uniforms are 46 percent lighter than the current designs when wet. Overall, the Nike Pro Combat uniform, when wet, is still lighter than the current Oklahoma design when completely dry.

Designed from the inside out, the Nike Pro Combat uniform begins with the Nike Pro Combat padded base layer. Strategically placed padding zones in the Nike Pro Combat Deflex shorts cover the thighs, hips, and tailbone. The padding zones are comprised of dual-density foam cells that absorb, deflect and disperse the impact of on-field collisions. A foam grid intersects the cells to maximize impact absorption and increase flexibility. A hard plastic shield covers the thigh padding where impact frequently occurs.

The Nike Pro Combat Deflex shorts are made with Nike Dri-FIT technical fabric to provide superior moisture wicking, helping to keep players dry and cool.

With the padding incorporated into the base layer, players gain greater mobility over traditional padding and the outer uniform becomes a lightweight, breathable shell with a sleek, explosive look.

"Players need their uniforms to be as light as possible so they can play the game at top speed," said Kris Aman, Global VP and General Manager for Nike Athletic Training which includes football. "The Nike Pro Combat uniform is a modern system of dress that is dramatically lighter while providing durability and protection."

Nike scrutinized every detail of the Nike Pro Combat uniform with the goal of shedding as much weight as possible, right down to the D-ring on the belt. Nike opted for a titanium D-ring, which is extremely durable and 66 percent lighter than the standard steel belt enclosure.

Engineered high-tenacity yarn inspired by Nike Flywire is incorporated into the high impact shoulder area. The belt loops have been padded to provide added protection to the hip area without the bulk of traditional hip pads.

The new uniforms also feature improved ventilation and breathability. Side ribbed-piping on the uniform pant has been replaced with sublimated Nike Dri-FIT mesh, which not only shaves grams off of the pant weight, but also aids evaporation in key areas. Nike Dri-FIT mesh wraps behind the knees, a key cooling zone on the body. By adding innovative evaporation and cooling zones, the player's body expends less energy regulating body temperature, leaving more energy for the game.

Completing this true system of dress for football is the new Nike Zoom Vapor Fly cleat, which Nike customized for Oklahoma featuring the Sooners team colors, team logo, and chrome-plated outsole. This incredibly lightweight cleat at just 10 ounces is available in 2010. It features Zoom Air cushioning in the heel and Flywire engineering in the medial and lateral quarter panels.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Selected to Wear Latest Nike Technology

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