On Monday, nearly one after athletic director Wren Baker teased the design, the West Virginia Mountaineers football program unveiled 1965 throwback uniforms, which will be worn during a to-be-determined game this fall.
The uniforms are true to what the Mountaineers wore 60 years ago, when they captured their second straight Southern Conference title, with a navy jersey that features old gold block numbers, old gold pants with a single navy blue stripe down the sides and navy blue socks.
The focal point of the uniforms is the old gold helmet, which prominently displays a stacked “WVU” and a light blue state outline on the sides, a single navy blue stripe down the center and a gray facemask.
There are a few modern touches, as well, with three-dimensional bumpers that incorporate “1965” and the state outline on the front and a “Mountaineers” wordmark on the back. The same goes for the jersey and pants, which include the Nike Swoosh and/or Big XII logo.
“I think you’re always looking for ways to engage fans, but also, I think it’s really important to try and find ways to honor your past,” Baker said in a video shared to West Virginia’s social media pages. “Reminding people of great eras and great memories from the past is really important.”
This marks the first full throwback uniform in school history, though the Mountaineers notably added 1970s-inspired decals to their white alternate helmets for at least one game during the 2013-16 and 2018 seasons.
As mentioned, West Virginia did not announce which game the uniforms will be worn, though it would make sense for them to make an appearance on Sept. 13 against Pitt, as the Mountaineers beat the Panthers, 63-48, in the 1965 Backyard Brawl.
The throwback uniforms now join a wardrobe that includes West Virginia’s home blue, white road, gold alternate and all-black “Coal Rush” uniforms, which all debuted last season.
Photos courtesy of @WVUfootball on X/Twitter.
