December, 2006:

• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "The Year in Uniforms, 2006"
  December 28, 2006
  In case you hadn't noticed, it's been quite a year out there in the land of uniformity. With the final buzzer about to sound on 2006, here's a recap of the year's more notable uni-related events, including a few behind-the-scenes subplots you might not have been aware of.
  
  
  
   
• Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings Add New Color (arenafootball2)
  December 27, 2006
  "Wings' fans will forever be linked to the black and silver of the Oakland Raiders of the NFL," Dan Newman said. "But it is time for a change. Not only have we brought in a coaching staff with lots of experience that should enable us to make a first-ever playoff drive, but we're making several other changes." Newman unveiled the "new" BattleWings' logo, which is actually identical to the old logo, but adds a third color to the Raiders black-and-silver: Philadelphia Eagles green. "It's new for us, and it's fresh," Wings head coach Jon Norris stated. "This franchise needs some new things to make coaches, players, and fans feel excited for the 2007 af2 season. While this change keeps the traditional Wings' logo intact, it gives us a fresh start," Norris added. "Our home jerseys will still be black, but will have green and silver trim. And our trademark black and silver metal flake helmets will have the green color added, which will really set us off."
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "Nike Swoosh Raises Debate"
  December 19, 2006
  "I cannot tell you how many e-mails I've gotten about her," says Muqtedar Khan. "The Muslim cybersphere is just buzzing about it -- people are thrilled." Khan, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Delaware, is referring to Ruqaya Al Ghasara, a 24-year-old sprinter from Bahrain who recently competed at the 15th annual Asian Games in Qatar. And why are Muslims buzzing about her? For the same reason Uni Watch is interested in her: her running attire.
  
   
• Indiana U. (PA) Announces New Nickname - "Crimson Hawks" (NCAA)
  December 16, 2006
  IUP announced yesterday that it has changed the nickname for its sports teams from Indians to the more politically correct Crimson Hawks. The move was necessitated by an NCAA decision last year that restricted the use of certain Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships. The NCAA restrictions, designed to discourage teams from using nicknames that are considered insensitive, offensive or objectionable by certain segments of the population, were approved in November 2005 and held that, as long as schools kept the Indians nickname, those schools would not be able to play host to NCAA championship events nor could its athletes wear uniforms or equipment bearing that nickname. The new nickname was endorsed by the IUP Council of Trustees upon the recommendation of school president Dr. Tony Atwater. That council's Sept. 15 resolution gave the school the power to secure a new nickname in a manner that is "inclusive, expedient, prudent and reflective of the values and culture of IUP."
   
• Florida Marlins to Wear World Series Anniversary Logo in 2007 (MLB/American League)
  December 15, 2006
  The dramatic image of then 22-year-old Edgar Renteria slapping a soft single to center field, scoring a leaping Craig Counsell to clinch the 1997 World Series, will forever be etched in the minds of Marlins fans. In just their fifth season, the Marlins became the fastest franchise in big-league history to win a World Series. That distinction was erased in 2001, when the D-backs won the title in their fourth year. However, nothing will erase the memories of one of the best played and most exciting World Series in many years. The thrills of the 1997 championship season will again be revisited in 2007, as the Marlins organization plans a number of promotions and dedications to honor the 10th anniversary of the franchise's first World Series crown. For the upcoming 2007 season, the Marlins will wear their 1997 World Series victory literally on their sleeves. The team will sport a patch to commemorate the season, and the patch will feature a logo with "1997, Tenth Anniversary, 2007" inscribed above a sketching of the championship logo.
   
• Battle Creek Baseball Unveils Nickname - "Bombers" (Northwoods League (baseball))
  December 14, 2006
  Battle Creek's new baseball team has a name and the Northwoods League hopes it will generate a buzz. In town Wednesday to check out their latest expansion town, Northwoods executives Dick Radatz Jr. and Rick Lindau unveiled the team's new name: Battle Creek Bombers. The yet-to-be-completed logo will involve a mosquito, most likely wearing an old bomber hat that pilots wore in World War II. "I think it will be a catchy name," said Lindau, who is leaving his post as the league's director of operations to become the Bombers' first general manager.
  
   
• Tri-Cities Fever Unveils New Logo and Uniforms (arenafootball2)
  December 12, 2006
  The Tri-Cities Fever, new members of the arenafootball2 league, unveiled a new logo, uniform and helmet on Tuesday. Fans of the Miami Dolphins might especially embrace the look that new owner Robert Moyer and Texas af2 Holdings Limited Liability Co., have provided new coach Tony Wells. Wells and the Fever play their first game as members of af2 on March 31 in Youngstown, Ohio, against the Mahoning Valley Thunder. The Fever will open its home schedule April 14 vs. Bakersfield, Calif. Home games also include April 30 vs. Everett, June 16 vs. Spokane and July 28 vs. Boise in the regular-season finale.
   
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Unveil New Nickname, Logos, Uniforms (International League (baseball))
  December 12, 2006
  The Scranton/Wilkes Barre Triple-A baseball franchise will begin 2007 with a new look and a new name as the club has officially been renamed the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees. The announcement was made as part of a significant event at the Stadium Club which included comments by New York Yankees General Partner Steve Swindal, President Randy Levine, COO Lonn Trost and Senior VP/General Manager Brian Cashman. The four were joined by franchise and County officials to unveil the new name and logo, which had been strongly supported by the public. The name of the franchise has been a hot topic since the September announcement of the affiliation with the Yankees. County and club officials considered many alternatives, but in the end the decision was driven by public commentary.
   
• Birmingham Steeldogs Renamed Alabama Steeldogs (arenafootball2)
  December 11, 2006
  The winds of change in the state of Alabama football scene grew stronger today with the announcement by Steeldogs Majority Owner Buddy King that the team will change its name to the Alabama Steeldogs. "We want our name to more accurately reflect the fans we entertain," said King. "This will enable us to extend our marketing efforts throughout the region and embrace an increasing number of Steeldogs fans." The change becomes effective, immediately, for the 2007 season. The Steeldogs also unveiled on Monday the "new" Alabama Steeldogs logo, which remains identical with the only change being from "Birmingham" to "Alabama." Merchandise and fan memorabilia will be available soon.
   
• Syracuse Chiefs Unveil New Nickname, Logo, Uniforms (International League (baseball))
  December 11, 2006
  The Sky has fallen in Syracuse. For the past 10 seasons, the city's International League franchise has gone by the name of the SkyChiefs. That moniker is now a thing of the past, as the club announced its new name and logo at a press conference at Alliance Bank Stadium on Monday afternoon. The team's new name -- the Chiefs -- will certainly be familiar to long-time Syracuse baseball fans, as the club was known by that handle from 1934 to 1996. The team adopted the SkyChiefs' name and logo in 1997, as part of an attempt to distance themselves from criticisms that their previous identity was offensive to Native Americans.
   
• Corpus Christi Sharks Unveils Nickname, Logo (arenafootball2)
  December 11, 2006
  A "Name the Team" contest for Corpus Christi's new arenafootball2 team has yielded a recycled result. The franchise Monday announced they selected the name "Sharks" It was also the name of a local defunct pro basketball team from the 1990's. The name and mascot are also extremely close to the Hammerheads, the team they'll replace in the arena next spring. Owner Joe Avezzano wasn't concerned about coincidence. "I know basically nothing about the history of any other football team that's been here. All I know is what we're putting on the floor here and what we're putting into the community. That's the starting point for me," Avezzano said. The Sharks will sport blue and gold uniforms when the begin play in March, 2007.
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "Taking it on the Chin"
  December 7, 2006
  It can be tough keeping up with Chad Johnson's look, what with the "Ocho Cinco" nameplate, the ever-changing helmet and face mask styles (compare this to this to this), and of course the blonde Mohawk. So Uni Watch can understand if you didn't notice Johnson's latest stylistic statement, especially since it was uncharacteristically subtle: During last Thursday's Bengals-Ravens game, Johnson apparently became the first player in NFL history to wear … wait for it … an orange chin strap.
  
   
• Chicago Shamrox Unveil Uniforms (National Lacrosse League)
  December 5, 2006
  The Chicago Shamrox indoor professional lacrosse team unveiled their first-ever Home and Road uniforms today during a press conference at Harry Caray’s restaurant in downtown Chicago. Team owner Kevin Loughery Jr. and team President Conrad “Connie” Kowal hosted the event, as Shamrox players Chris Panos and Zach Heffner modeled the Home (white) and Road (black) jerseys while being escorted by several members of the Shamrox Dance Team. The uniform unveiling also featured a special performance by members of the famous Chicago bagpipe team, the Shannon Rovers, adding a lively Irish theme to the event.
   
• Toronto Maple Leafs to Unveil New Logo in January (National Hockey League)
  December 2, 2006
  When Toronto's new jersey is unveiled next month at the NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, expect to see something that looks essentially the same as the current version, save for one important detail: the maple leaf logo. The hallowed maple leaf has apparently been altered, having a "different silhouette," according to a team executive. The change represents a "modernization" of the logo rather than a dramatic redesign.
  
  
   
• South Georgia Peanuts Announce "Name the Mascot" Contest (South Coast League (baseball))
  December 1, 2006
  Three weeks after the South Coast League visited Albany to unveil the new team name and logo of the South Georgia Peanuts, they are once again turning to the fans of South Georgia for help. Today the Peanuts announced a "Name the Mascot Competition", where fans of South Georgia baseball will be asked to create a unique and catchy name for their future team mascot. Fans of all ages will be given the opportunity to fill out paper ballots or submit their suggestions via email to info@southgeorgiapeanuts.com.
  
   
• Cincinnati Reds Unveil New Uniforms (MLB/National League)
  December 1, 2006
  The Reds borrowed a page Friday night from their longtime business manager Frank Bancroft, who in the mid-1890s began displaying the Reds new uniforms in a downtown store window as a way of revving up fans for Opening Day. With a similar purpose, but in a decidedly more upscale manner, the Reds unveiled their latest new look in a fashion show at Duke Energy Center on the first night of resurrected Redsfest, coming off a two-year hiatus for convention center expansion.
  Among the new uniform’s features:
  • A return to red as the dominant team color. Kiss that black on the road uniforms goodbye.
  • A return to sleeves on the home uniforms. For now, the vested look is no more.
  • The Mr. Redlegs insignia is on the left sleeve of the home white uniforms. The pinstripes are off the home uniforms.
  • The names on the back of the jerseys are in a new font, as is the “Cincinnati” that is spelled out across the front of the road uniforms. The font was created by Major League Baseball and is reminiscent of the font used on the team’s uniforms in the early to mid-1930s.