KU basketball’s new jerseys had special meaning — and referenced Underground Railroad
Not only did the Kansas men’s basketball team win against Colorado on Tuesday, but the Jayhawks did it in style.
New style, that is.
The Jayhawks beat the Buffs 71-59 on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
KU wore brand-new jerseys to commemorate Black History Month. According to KU Athletics, women’s basketball pioneer Lusia Harris inspired the design. Meanwhile, Alex Taylor, founder of Hoop York City, designed the uniforms.
Hoop York City is a brand and collective that provides safe and accessible opportunities for women who are former student-athletes — and women who love the game of basketball.
The blue jersey featured the Jayhawk logo prominently on the front with a crimson-and-yellow quilt-inspired design on the side.
KU Athletics shared further details of the inspiration for the jerseys in a post on Facebook: That post noted that quilts were used to guide those escaping slavery in the Underground Railroad.
The city of Lawrence has a rich history with abolitionist roots with two different Underground Railroad sites in Lawrence: Grover Barn and Robert Miller House, the post noted.
KU has a tradition of wearing a special jerseys for Black History Month. In previous years, the Jayhawks have worn jerseys and warmup shirts to honor former player LaVannes Squires, who broke the color barrier at KU.
KU also honored Marian Washington at halftime. Washington is a former KU women’s basketball coach with an illustrious career in Lawrence and beyond. She is the winningest coach in KU women’s basketball history and the first Black woman to coach the U.S. National Team in international competition.
