April, 2006:

• Bakersfield Jam to Unveil Logo (NBA Development League (basketball))
  April 30, 2006
  The Bakersfield Jam is announcing its general manager and team logo at 1 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn Select. The NBA Development League team, which will be an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, is the newest professional franchise to make Bakersfield its home. Eight teams made up the NBDL this season, and Bakersfield is one of seven cities that were awarded a club to begin play during the 2006-07 season.
  Source: www.bakersfield.com
   
• Minnesota Vikings Unveil New Uniforms (National Football League)
  April 27, 2006
  In what has been an off-season full of change, the Vikings introduced yet another on Thursday night. In front of a large contingent of Vikings fans at the Mall of America, the team unveiled their new uniforms which will debut in 2006. The mall's rotunda was the site, as fans adorned in purple and gold displayed their support for the team. A large seating area with roughly 150 chairs was completely filled, and fans layered two and three rows deep lined all three levels overlooking the rotunda. Passionate fans from all over the state showed up to witness the introduction of a new look for the Purple.
  Source: www.vikings.com, www.wcco.com and www.kfan.com
   

• Purdue U. Unveils Throwback Football Uniforms (NCAA)
  April 27, 2006
  Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter wore No. 8 on his high school football jersey while playing for Lincoln High School in Vincennes.  It's just a coincidence that he now wears No. 12 for the Boilermakers and will be sporting the same number on his throwback jersey that All-American quarterback Bob Griese wore while leading Purdue to victory in the 1967 Rose Bowl.

  Source: www.boilerstation.com
   

• CFL Caught Off Guard With Brewer's Plan for "Ottawa Steelback" (Canadian Football League)
  April 27, 2006
  Any brewmaster who can tell hops from barley knows the product cannot be rushed before its time and Steelback Brewery president Frank D'Angelo says he needs all the time he can garner to take a shot at reviving football in Ottawa. That was why D'Angelo caught even the Canadian Football League off guard yesterday with an announcement that his plan was moving forward, that he had uniforms designed in team colours, and that he even has a logo he wants to unveil next week.
  Source: www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/
   

• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "All You Need Is Glove"
  April 27, 2006
  As we all know by now, it's hard to compare sluggers from different eras, because modern guys like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have benefited from, shall we say, a bit of extra assistance that wasn't available to old-timers like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Roger Maris.  No, not that kind of assistance. Look closely at those photos and you'll see that Uni Watch is referring to one of the game's most overlooked and underrated developments: the advent of the batting glove.
  Source: www.espn.com
   

• Madison Mallards to Unveil Alternate Uniforms (Northwoods League (baseball))
  April 26, 2006
  The Madison Mallards open their 2006 season on June 1 at the Warner Park Duck Pond. But the local baseball team throws out its First Pitch tonight during a social hour at 6:30 pm at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Mallards general manager Vern Stenman will talk about the team's roster and Northwoods League prospects, unveil a new alternate uniform, discuss ballpark improvements made during the off-season, and field questions from Mallards fans, who can also pick up copies of the Mallards schedule. All that for free, plus free food and beverages!
  Source: www.thedailypage.com
   

• NBA Unveils 2007 All-Star Game Logo (National Basketball Association)
  April 21, 2006
  At an unveiling of the logo for the NBA All-Star 2007 game in Las Vegas, comedian Rita Rudner asked the question on everyone's minds. “Now that we've got the East-West All-Star game here, don't you think there's the possibility that someday we'll have our own team?” Rudner said Thursday.
  Source: www.signonsandiego.com
   

• Harrisburg City Islanders Unveil Uniforms (USL Second Division (soccer))
  April 20, 2006
  The Harrisburg City Islanders introduced the majority of their roster and unveiled their 2006 uniforms in a press conference on Thursday morning at the Capital BlueCross Headquarters Building in Harrisburg. Capital BlueCross, a presenting sponsor of the City Islanders, hosted the event for the third straight year.
  Source: www.oursportscentral.com
   

• Detroit Ignition Unveils Name, Logo (Major Indoor Soccer League)
  April 19, 2006
  Hantz Group, Inc. and the company’s subsidiary Hantz Group Sports & Entertainment, along with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), announced today the launch of the Detroit Ignition professional indoor soccer team to commence play in the 2006-07 season. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Westin Southfield-Detroit in Southfield.  At the event, the Ignition unveiled their team logo, introduced their head coach and 2006 college draft picks and also announced that they will play their home games in the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth, MI. In addition, the Ignition announced a broadcast agreement with Comcast Local.
  Source: www.misl.net
   

• Rockford RiverHawks Unveil New Logo (Frontier League (baseball))
  April 19, 2006
  "New" is the operative word for the Rockford RiverHawks. Along with a new stadium, the team will begin the new season with a new logo. The RiverHawks today officially introduced their new logo, an eye-catching, dynamic look that features mascot Rocko the RiverHawk. The logo continues to make use of the team's main colors, Columbia blue, navy blue and metallic gray.
  Source: www.oursportscentral.com
   

• NBA and adidas Announce an 11-Year Partnership (National Basketball Association)
  April 18, 2006
  The NBA and shoe and apparel giant adidas announced an 11-year partnership early Tuesday in London that will make the brand the league's official uniform and apparel supplier.   The deal, which sources peg at a total value in excess of $400 million, replaces the 10-year contract Reebok negotiated with the league in 2001.
  Source: sports.espn.go.com
   

• Houston Aeros Unveil New Logo (American Hockey League)
  April 18, 2006
  The American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros will use the original “Bomber” as their primary logo beginning in the 2006-07 regular season, the team announced Tuesday at a Calder Cup Playoffs kickoff event at Bayou City Wings. All-Star goaltender Josh Harding and special assistant to hockey Cam Stewart were on hand to model the new sweaters.
  Source: www.aeros.com
   
• Franklin College Unveils New Athletic Logo (NCAA)
  April 17, 2006
  As the old saying goes, some things are better late than never. For Franklin College, that means the adoption of a new athletic logo. Not only new, it’s the first of its kind in the college’s 172-year history.  Franklin College, founded in 1834 by pioneering American Baptists, informally took on the nickname “The Fighting Baptists” for its athletic teams. In 1929, writers for the student newspaper began referring to the basketball team as “Grizzlies.” The namesake was in honor of legendary basketball coach, Ernest B. “Griz” Wagner, who led the men’s team from 1922-1933.
  Source: www.franklincollege.edu
   
• NHL Players Balk at Tighter Uniforms (National Hockey League)
  April 14, 2006
  The new-look, streamlined uniforms the NHL planned to unveil next season are being put back in the closet for a year because of concerns voiced by the players' association.  All 30 NHL teams were to be outfitted in more form-fitting sweaters by official uniform supplier Reebok, but any changes have been postponed until the 2007-08 campaign because the NHLPA does not feel the players have been given enough time to review the revamped design.
  Source: www.thestar.com
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "MLB Uniform-alities"
  April 13, 2006
  In this cold and unfriendly world, rife with pain and injustice, you have to take solace where you can find it. So listen up, people, because Uni Watch has some good news: Those annoying dot-patterned Nike undersleeves (which not only look totally bogus but also seem to be a violation of Rulebook section 1.11(a) (2) , which states, "Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of a uniform solid color") have gotten a measure of comeuppance.
  Source: www.espn.com
   
• Chicago Hounds Unveil Nickname, Logo (United Hockey League)
  April 13, 2006
  Chicagoland Sports, LLC is proud to introduce their new United Hockey League (UHL) team, the Chicago Hounds. The Hounds will be playing in the all-new Sears Centre, located in Hoffman Estates, IL. The newest UHL team will begin play in October 2006, with their inaugural home game coming in November at the Sears Centre.
  Source: www.theuhl.com
   
• Ohio State Buckeyes Fans Uniformly Disdain Jersey Changes (NCAA)
  April 12, 2006
  Ohio State football fans are seeing red this week, thanks to a slight change in the school's football uniforms.   The school introduced a new uniform that features slightly different stripes on the sleeves and changes the pattern (to scarlet-white-black from scarlet-white-black-gray). The sleeve is also slightly longer.  Reaction has been swift and strong, according to Wednesday's Columbus Dispatch, which said that it received 734 votes in a poll on its Web site, topping the previous record of 433 for a question on same-sex marriage (and more than the usual 100-200 responses).
  Source: sports.espn.go.com
   
• Birmingham Steeldogs to Wear Bible-Themed Jerseys (arenafootball2)
  April 12, 2006
  For the first time in sports history, a professional franchise will wear Bible-themed jerseys during a game. On Saturday, May 5th, the Birmingham Steeldogs arena football team will don jerseys with the name of Bible hero “SAMSON” embroidered on the front as they take on the Louisville Fire at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Specific Bible chapter and verse references will be created by combining the names and numerals on the backs of each player.
  Source: www.arenadigest.com
   
• U. of Florida to Celebrate 100 Years of Florida Football in 2006 (NCAA)
  April 9, 2006
  The Gator Nation will follow up the first year of the Urban Meyer era the best way it can: by celebrating 100 years of Florida football in 2006!  The celebration, sponsored by Gatorade, will get underway by honoring the 1996 National Championship team during the season opening weekend vs. Southern Miss on September 2nd. Members of the national championship team will form a tunnel as the 2006 Gator team takes the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.  Each ensuing home game will have a 100-year celebration theme, including a throwback uniform game vs. Alabama on September 30 and a Gator Fans' Team of the Century presented by Gatorade announced during the game vs. Western Carolina on November 18.
  Source: www.gatorzone.com
   
• Miami Dolphins Announce New Stadium Name, Stadium Logo (National Football League)
  April 8, 2006
  Dolphins Enterprises CEO Joe Bailey announced today a major repositioning of Dolphins Stadium. Anchored by the unveiling of a new logo and the world’s largest hi-definition video boards, the announcement included renaming the stadium Dolphin Stadium (no “s” in Dolphins) and a marketing strategy that will position Dolphin Stadium to be one of the world’s leading sport and entertainment facilities.
  Source: www.miamidolphins.com
   
• Toledo Mud Hens Unveil New Logo, Uniforms (International League (baseball))
  April 6, 2006
  When the defending International League Champions take the field for Opening Day (Thursday, April 6), they will be sporting brand new uniforms.  For home games, the Mud Hens will wear sleeveless white jersey vest with navy pinstripes. The jersey has “Mud Hens” in a unique font exclusive to the Mud Hens. The unique font is accented by a yellow feather that doubles as part of the “E” in Mud Hens. The undershirt worn under the jersey vest will be navy with the Mud Hens new primary logo patch on the left sleeve, and a patch to commemorate the 2006 Triple-A All Star Game on the right sleeve. The Mud Hens will wear white pants with navy pinstripes, and top off the home uniform with the traditional navy blue “T-logo” cap.
  Source: www.mudhens.com
   
• Eastern Kentucky U. Unveils New Athletic Logos (NCAA)
  April 6, 2006
  In a year when Eastern Kentucky University is celebrating its Centennial by honoring the traditions of the past, the Department of Athletics today unveiled a new Athletic Identity System that captures the success, momentum and innovation exhibited by its coaches and student-athletes.  The nine-mark System is an instrumental part of a branding campaign centered on the Colonels’ mission to be a leader in the modern world of collegiate athletics.
  Source: www.ekusports.com
   
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays May Change Name (Major League Baseball / American League)
  April 6, 2006
  The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have told Major League Baseball they are considering a name change. So what should it be?  The Tarpons? That would pay homage to the former Tampa minor league team, named after the silvery fish that swims in local waters.  The Saints? That would recall the St. Petersburg minor league team from the early and mid-1900s.  Or the just plain Rays? The double entendre would honor the stingrays that glide off our beaches as well as the area's famous sunshine, while the shortened name would avoid bedeviling some Christians.
  Source: www.sptimes.com
   
• Ohio State U. Unveils New Football Uniforms (NCAA)
  April 5, 2006
  This is the "new" Football Jersey for the season of 2006 and beyond. It is exclusive to The Team Shop until June 1st, 2006. The Jersey features the new sleeve stripe pattern, and screen print numbers on the front, back, and lower shoulder. Be the first to own the "NEW" official on-field jersey from Nike.
  Source: ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com
   
• Brooklyn Wonders Unveil Logo (American Basketball Association)
  April 3, 2006
  The ABA Brooklyn Wonders today unveiled their official logo. The Brooklyn Wonders are an expansion team set to begin playing in the 2006/2007 season starting in November. The logo, which includes the colors grey, red, white and blue, is an exciting image that is meant to represent the quality action that fans will be able to expect from the Brooklyn Wonders, as well as solidifying the team as a committed and solid team in the ABA that will offer basketball in Brooklyn for years to come. To view the logo, please visit www.brooklynwonders.com.
  Source: www.oursportscentral.com
   
• Dallas Stars to Retire Alternate Jersey (National Hockey League)
  April 3, 2006
  The Stars tonight bid farewell to maybe the most controversial figure in franchise history.  Goodbye, dear bull head, it's um, sad (?) to see you go.  Well, maybe that's overstating it. The Stars' alternate sweater and logo – a constellation outline of a bull's head with a shooting star for a horn – will be worn for the final time in a game.
  Source: www.dallasnews.com