2012 Shamrock Series Uniform Unveiled

Media Day has concluded at Notre Dame, and while various bloggers will dissect every word spoken by the players and coaches in the upcoming days, I’d like to leave the Xs and Os to the experts and focus on aesthetics.  

Yep, I'm talking uniforms: the one dreaded issue that is certain to make or break us as a team, a program, and an institution of higher learning.

I’m sure Adidas’ Tech Fit alternate jerseys to be worn in Chicago for the Shamrock Series shocked more than a few grumpy ol’ alums this afternoon, for understandable reasons: 

Before everyone freaks out about the death of tradition at Notre Dame, though, let’s all remind ourselves that Shamrock Series jerseys are meant to provide a new take on how we present ourselves (as a team, a program, and an institute of higher learning) once a year in a home away from home atmosphere.  In response to today's unveiling, our AD Jack Swarbrick (who I put complete faith in as an ultimate Domer, Gold and Blue through and through, and a Notre Dame history buff) explained how the jerseys celebrate the unique opportunity the Shamrock Series provides, before calming the purists by promising that our standard home jerseys will never stray from tradition under his watch.  Plus, our players dig the new threads, and switching up our jerseys is a tactic engineered by none other than the legendary Knute Rockne back in the glory days of yore.  Wanna talk tradition now?!

All that being said, I support the continuance of alternate jerseys to be featured once a year for the Shamrock Series... that is, as long as they aren’t ugly… which brings us to this year’s edition:

At first glance, I nearly vomited.  Upon further inspection, I can comfortably say that I stand behind every aspect of the uniform (especially the RGIII-esque socks) other than the helmet:  

I’m not sure how I feel about our departure from an all-Gold base for the helmet.  While featuring the Leprechaun is a theme I definitely support as a former Leprechaun, I have mixed feelings about going halvsies between Gold and Blue.  Maybe all Gold with a navy Leprechaun on one side could have gotten the job done?  

All in all, I was ready to reluctantly support a decently executed effort by Adidas… that is, until I saw this:

Not only does that video make the jerseys seem 100% edgier, freaky-styley, and generally more badass than the photo gallery featuring some random model who is not nearly jacked enough for his job, but it also samples a song that one of my favorite artists of all time, Seattle-based Irish hip hop artist Macklemore, absolutely killed when he performed it on campus at Legends last year.  I met Mack before the show, and he is definitely one of the raddest supporters of the Fightin' Irish you will find out there (along with Vince Vaughan, Leo DiCaprio, Dropkick Murphys, and Scott Weiland of STP).  You can listen to and download the song here, through GoodMusicAllDay.com, a site with its origins in Alumni Hall on campus at Notre Dame.

Macklemore reppin' ND

One final note: If Adidas’ “Irish Flag Cleat” is any indication, I’d expect a very “Tricolour” looking ensemble from the Fighting Irish when they take to the field in their adopted homeland against Navy.  That’s right… we’ll be living up to our namesake by donning...
 Green, White, and… Orange?!