The Wyoming Cowboys football team is ushering in a fresh chapter under new head coach Jay Sawvel, and with it comes a subtle but significant update to their iconic uniforms. Just months after taking the helm in Laramie, Coach Sawvel has already put his stamp on the program, starting with a revised look for the Cowboys.
Initially, when questioned about potential uniform changes in December, Sawvel downplayed any radical departures. “We’re not all of a sudden going to come out like space invaders or anything else,” he quipped, emphasizing the university’s traditional brown and gold colors. Alternate jerseys seemed off the table. However, spring practice has brought a change of direction, revealing a refined version of the Wyoming football uniform.
Just three practices into spring camp, Sawvel surprised his team by unveiling a new uniform combination. Pulling out a large poster board, he presented what he described as a “little refinement” to the gold jerseys. These gold jerseys, familiar to fans as the home opener attire for the past three seasons and worn in recent Arizona Bowl appearances, are getting an upgrade.
The reveal also included brown pants, a feature not seen since the era of former coach Dave Christensen. This addition immediately drew positive reactions from the players. According to reports, the room filled with “oohs and aahs” as Sawvel showcased the new look. Seeking player approval, Sawvel asked for a show of hands in favor of the uniform, which was met with enthusiastic support.
This move marks a departure from the decade-long tenure of former coach Craig Bohl, who was a staunch traditionalist when it came to uniforms. Bohl favored simplicity and team unity, even prohibiting players from wearing the number 1 jersey, stating, “this is a team, there are no one’s.” Under Bohl, the Cowboys primarily sported brown jerseys with gold pants at home and white jerseys for away games. While he did introduce gold alternate jerseys before the 2021 home opener against Montana State, Bohl remained firm on certain aspects of the uniform. Notably, player names on the back of jerseys were a definite “no-no.” His philosophy centered on playing for the university’s name on the front of the jersey, not individual recognition.
Sawvel, while initially echoing some of Bohl’s sentiments regarding drastic changes, appears more open to evolution. While he initially stated no to names on jerseys and numbers zero or one, he also acknowledged, “I have the right to change my mind on this.” Furthermore, Sawvel indicated plans to introduce a white-on-white uniform combination at some point, further demonstrating a willingness to modernize the Cowboys’ on-field appearance.
The unveiling of these updated Wyoming Cowboys Football Uniforms signals more than just a cosmetic change. It represents a shift in approach under Coach Jay Sawvel. Where tradition was paramount under Bohl, Sawvel seems to be embracing a player-centric philosophy, acknowledging the excitement and morale boost that comes with fresh uniforms. The enthusiastic player response to the new designs underscores this point, highlighting a potentially more collaborative and contemporary atmosphere within the program as it moves into this new era. For fans and players alike, the updated Wyoming Cowboys football uniforms are a tangible symbol of change and the beginning of the Jay Sawvel era in Laramie.
