Colorado State University (CSU) Football has recently introduced their new uniforms for the 2023 season and beyond, blending a fresh look with a respectful homage to the program’s rich history. These new Colorado State Football Uniforms immediately caught the attention of fans and sports apparel enthusiasts, thanks to their clean design and vintage inspiration.
The most notable change in the Colorado State football uniforms is the incorporation of stripes on the pants, evoking a classic, old-school aesthetic. This design choice marks a departure from recent years and signals a return to some of the program’s earlier looks.
Green. • Gold. • 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭.
That’s who we are. That’s who we’ve always been.
Clean and classic: our 2023 uniforms‼️#Stalwart x #RamGrit 🐏 pic.twitter.com/lFXL6U4VM6
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) June 16, 2023
One significant alteration is the removal of the bone horns from the shoulder area of the jerseys. In their place, the 2023 Colorado State football uniforms feature horizontal stripes, contributing to the more traditional feel. Similarly, the pants, previously solid gold or white, now boast a prominent green vertical stripe flanked by thinner white stripes on both sides. This striped design element is a key feature of the updated Colorado State football uniforms.
For comparison, the previous road jersey design from 2016-2022, showcased below, included the word “RAMS” on the left pant leg, a detail that has been omitted in the new iteration.
Comparison of Colorado State Rams road football jerseys from 2016-2022 and the new 2023 uniforms, highlighting the removal of 'RAMS' on the pant leg and changes in stripes.The decision to incorporate stripes is deeply rooted in CSU Football’s uniform history. Going back to the Sonny Lubick era in the 1990s, the Rams primarily utilized all-gold pants without stripes, a style shift from the earlier use of yellow to “Vegas” gold. However, historical records, as highlighted in a Rocky Mountain Collegian article, indicate that stripes were indeed a part of the Colorado State football uniforms from the 1940s through the 1980s, appearing on both pants and occasionally jerseys. Briefly in 2010 and 2011, stripes reappeared on the pants under Russell Athletic, but this was a short-lived design choice.
According to John Hirn, author of “Aggies to Rams: The History of Football at Colorado State University,” the new uniforms deliberately pay tribute to the 1950s uniforms. This historical connection adds another layer of significance to the 2023 Colorado State football uniforms.
I had a sneak peek last month and love these new unis. Plays wonderful homage to our uniform of the 1950s!!!! pic.twitter.com/xRrlOkMDbu
— Aggies To Rams (@AggiesToRams) June 16, 2023
While the new Colorado State football uniforms embrace a classic and clean design, this update also means fewer combination options for the team. The white and green pants, previously part of the uniform repertoire, have been discontinued, at least for regular game days. This change reduces the possible uniform combinations, eliminating options like white-on-white, white-on-green, green-on-white, and green-on-green. It also appears that the white bone horn helmets are no longer part of the standard uniform set. Fan reactions on social media reflect a mixed sentiment, with some expressing nostalgia for the variety of previous uniform combinations.
However, the tradition of special uniforms for Ag Day and State Pride games will continue. Colorado State Football has confirmed that while white pants are no longer part of the standard home and away sets, the highly anticipated Ag Day and State Pride uniforms will still be unveiled later in the season.
Colorado State Rams Ag Day football uniforms from 2021, showcasing the orange jerseys and white helmets, a tradition continuing alongside the standard 2023 uniforms.The Ag Day orange jerseys, a fan favorite since their introduction in 2010, and the State Pride uniforms, known for their all-white design with blue stripes and the Colorado flag “C” helmet, will remain as special, alternate uniform sets.
Colorado State Rams State Pride football uniforms in 2022, featuring all-white with blue stripes and the Colorado flag 'C' helmet, another special uniform set to return alongside the 2023 home and away uniforms.Colorado State Football is set to commence their 2023 season on September 2nd against Washington State. As fans look forward to the game, they can also anticipate seeing the new classic-inspired Colorado State football uniforms in action, alongside the special Ag Day and State Pride designs later in the season.
