Bringing Back a Classic

This season marked a return to a classic look for SCU Athletics, as the intertwined SC logo regained prominence. The block lettering for the “Broncos” and “Santa Clara” that currently adorns uniforms also took on a more traditional look.

Call it a focus on fundamentals.

Santa Clara can thank a new partnership with Nike for the refreshed logo and new look. The retail sports giant signed up to be the apparel provider for SCU teams last year and spearheaded a refresh of the University’s athletics uniforms.

Over the course of more than a century, Santa Clara’s athletics teams have had a variety of logos and uniforms. As for some of these looks? Let’s just say it’s a good thing they aren’t the ones making a comeback.

1880s: The Santa Clara College baseball team’s unis are straight and to the point. Although playing in three-piece suits, bowlers, and top hats might have made a stronger impression.

1890s: One of the first photos to feature a full-on logo. The Santa Clara College baseball team begins to take on the look of an organized squad.

1908, 1910, 1914: The interlocking SC appears.

1920s: The SC is a prominent feature for uniforms, and fan apparel alike. This is also the era when SCU takes as its official team name the Broncos.

1930s: What might go down as one of the more, er, unique uniforms in Santa Clara history. Luckily, “Santa Clara U” never caught on.

1940s and 1950s: “Broncos” begins to take a more prominent role on uniforms. Both in the typeface, and also in one of the more colorful depictions of the iconic SC: as literal branding on the hindquarters of a bucking Bronco.

1960s: The “Say Hey Kid,” Willie Mays, at the annual show match between the pros from San Francisco and the Broncos. The bold, red SC became a fixture on the baseball uniforms.

1970s: In a rather conceptual representation of SCU, the women’s basketball team sports a U-shaped Santa Clara on their jerseys.

1980s: The Philadelphia Phillies may have wanted a word with Santa Clara’s baseball team, who seemed to take a page from the east coast MLB squad in the ’80s with these pinstriped uniforms.

1990s: Steve Nash and NCAA tournament upsets (“Yeah!”) helped make the white, red, and gold duds an unforgettable entry into Santa Clara’s athletic history.

2000s: Santa Clara’s look becomes more streamlined with an emphasis on the red and white.

2012: At Schott Stadium, the Broncos pay homage to America’s pastime with throwback uniforms, and also pay homage to the rich sartorial tradition of Bronco athletics.