Tulane University’s baseball team, proudly known as the Green Wave, sports uniforms that are steeped in a rich history, reflecting the evolution of the school’s athletic identity. Understanding the story behind Tulane Baseball Uniforms requires delving into the origins of the Green Wave nickname and mascot, a journey that spans over a century. From its early days as the Olive and Blue to the iconic Green Wave, Tulane’s visual representation has undergone fascinating transformations, each era leaving its mark on the uniforms worn by its athletes.
From Olive and Blue to Green Wave: The Nickname’s Evolution
In the nascent years of Tulane athletics, from 1893 to 1919, the teams were identified by the colors of the university, Olive and Blue. During this period, the athletic teams were simply known as the Olive and Blue, a straightforward designation based on the official school colors. However, as the spirit of Tulane athletics grew, so did the need for a more dynamic and unique moniker.
A shift began in 1919 when The Tulane Weekly, a student newspaper, started using “Greenbacks” to refer to the football team. This term, possibly alluding to the green color associated with Tulane, gained some traction. The real turning point, however, came in 1920, thanks to the creativity of Earl Sparling, the editor of The Tulane Hullabaloo, another student newspaper of the time.
On October 20, 1920, Sparling penned a football song titled “The Rolling Green Wave,” which was published in the Hullabaloo. This marked the introduction of the Green Wave nickname. While not immediately embraced universally, the term gradually gained acceptance. By November 19, 1920, just a month later, the Hullabaloo used “Green Wave” in a game report against Mississippi A&M. By the end of the 1920 season, the Hullabaloo consistently referred to all Tulane athletic teams as the Green Wave, a practice soon followed by many daily newspapers. Despite the growing popularity of “Green Wave,” older terms like “Greenbacks” and “Greenies,” referencing the jersey color, persisted for some time.
Mascot Evolution: From Pelican to Riptide and the Angry Wave
Just as the nickname evolved, so did Tulane’s mascot. In its early depictions, Tulane’s mascot was visualized as a pelican riding a surfboard. This whimsical image of a surfing pelican served as the university’s athletic symbol for over half a century, embodying a unique and lighthearted representation of Tulane spirit.
In 1945, a new character entered the scene. John Chase, a local cartoonist who designed the covers for Tulane football programs, introduced a mischievous boy named “Greenie.” This character, named after the football game program itself, added a playful and youthful dimension to Tulane’s mascot representation.
By 1963, Athletic Director Dr. Rix Yard felt it was time for a more forceful and “virile” symbol to represent Tulane’s athletic teams. He collaborated with Elton Endacott, the Tulane bookstore manager, to create a new mascot. They enlisted Art Evans, the art director for Angelus-Pacific Co. in California, a designer renowned for creating college mascots like the Purdue “Boilermaker” and the Southern California “Trojan.”
In 1964, Evans’ design of a “determined looking Green Wave” was adopted. This new mascot, often referred to as the “Angry Wave,” became the athletic department’s primary logo for over two decades. During this era, various mascots depicting a Green Wave were used, with students humorously nicknaming the last iteration “Gumby” due to its resemblance to the cartoon character.
A significant logo update occurred in 1986 when a block “T” with waves running through it was introduced. This “T-Wave” logo became the primary athletic symbol and adorned Tulane uniforms until 1997.
In a move to revitalize and modernize Tulane’s athletic branding, a new set of logos was unveiled on August 19, 1998. These new marks aimed to emphasize Tulane’s colors (green and blue), the distinctive Green Wave nickname, and reintroduced the pelican as a key visual symbol. Alongside the logos, a new pelican mascot was introduced and named “Riptide” through a student vote.
Riptide received a makeover in the summer of 2015, sporting a more contemporary and sleek appearance. Then, in the 2016-17 academic year, Tulane Athletics brought back the “Angry Wave” logo as a secondary mark. Culminating in a full circle moment, on July 1, 2017, the “Angry Wave” officially became the Green Wave’s primary mark once again, with the “T-Wave” logo remaining as a secondary symbol.
The Green Wave Spirit in Tulane Baseball Uniforms
The evolution of Tulane’s nickname and mascot directly influences the design and spirit of Tulane baseball uniforms. While the original article doesn’t explicitly detail specific uniform designs across different eras, it’s clear that the visual elements – the colors, nicknames, and logos – are intrinsically linked to the uniforms worn by Tulane athletes, including the baseball team.
The Olive and Blue period likely saw simple uniforms in these school colors. The adoption of the Green Wave nickname and subsequent mascots brought in more dynamic and recognizable visual identities. The “Angry Wave” logo, with its determined and spirited imagery, would have been prominently featured on uniforms during its time as the primary logo. Similarly, the “T-Wave” logo marked another era in uniform design.
The return of the pelican and the Riptide mascot, alongside the re-emergence of the “Angry Wave,” suggests that current Tulane baseball uniforms might incorporate elements from both eras. The uniforms likely feature Tulane’s green and blue colors, possibly showcasing the “Angry Wave” logo as the primary emblem, or the Pelican/Riptide imagery, depending on the specific design and branding strategy for baseball. The uniforms serve as a visual representation of this storied athletic identity, connecting today’s Tulane Green Wave baseball team to a long and evolving tradition.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as the Olive and Blue to the spirited Green Wave, Tulane’s athletic identity has undergone a fascinating journey. The evolution of the nickname and mascot reflects a dynamic history, each stage contributing to the rich tapestry of Tulane’s sporting tradition. Tulane baseball uniforms are more than just sportswear; they are a visual embodiment of this history, carrying the legacy of the Green Wave, the pelican, and the enduring spirit of Tulane University.
