Fort Hays State University and football have been together since the school was founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School. The first football team that took the field in 1902 most likely played in cotton jerseys and pants and without helmets, they won one game that season, didn’t lose any and tied three times.
Fort Hays State Football has gone through may different uniforms in the past 113 years. At one time, Fort Hays’ colors were blue and gold. In 1913, when President W.A. Lewis came for Fort Hays he suggested changing the colors to black and gold. Those have been the colors of the Fort Hays State Tigers for the last 102 years.
This year the Tigers of Fort Hays will be unveiling new uniforms by Russell Athletic, last year the Tigers wore uniforms designed by Under Armor.
The changes are subtle, thinner stripes on the jerseys and the word “Tigers” emblazoned on the pants.
The Tigers and their new away uniforms will debut at Central Oklahoma, Thursday night, September 3 during the MIAA Game of the Week. The black and gold home debut will be during the Kickoff Classic, Thursday, September 10, 7pm at Lewis Field.
