Reflecting on HoopsMania
Courtesy of @novambb on Instagram
Written By: Elle Fallon
New team, new coach, new year.... and most importantly in our book, new outfits! Hoops Mania is one of the most anticipated events on the Villanova Calendar; kicking off the basketball season, the event debuts the newcomers on the roster and generates excitement for the game schedule. From the women’s basketball executing backflips, to Jay Wright’s Swag Surf, to Meek Mill’s performance, Hoops Mania is a Villanova star-studded production. An aspect of the production that the average eye does not give much thought to, however, is the apparel. What you see the players, dancers, and coaches wearing on the court requires arguably just as much thought and consideration as booking the surprise performer. Fashion in sports is a quintessential aspect of the game experience. Providing a spectator’s lense with a cohesive scene to view is an extremely important KPI. Such impressions are essential to an event that sets the tone for the entire season like Hoops Mania.
The basketball teams embraced posh loungewear which exuded their team styles. The men's team wore sleek, black monochromatic warm-ups with pristine Nova Nike Air Max 90s. Keeping it simple, the women’s team sported a navy and black tie-dye Nike crop top decorated with a white Villanova V. The team paired their tee with black leggings and neutral Nike Air Max 270s. Both teams had an outfit change into their uniform midway through the event. The jerseys they displayed were retro-inspired, congruent with many of Villanova Basketball’s recently released designs.
Basketball is not the only group embracing the retro vibe. The Villanova Dance Team debuted new varsity-inspired jackets complete with the nostalgic wildcat and \V/ graphics. VUDT’s Operations Manager Oliva Gang and coaches Emily Campbell and Crystal Pizarro designed the bomber jackets in collaboration with Twin Vision Activewear. Gang explains, “We also wanted the uniforms to match the current trends of other athletic teams with the colors. Villanova teams have been using light blue uniforms more in the past few years, and we wanted to make sure we are staying coordinated with the rest of the University.” The debut of the jackets is timely given the explosion of academia-inspired wear for fall 2022. To offset the oversized jacket and be conscious of function, the dancers were fitted with biker shorts, a crop, and high tops—talk about court chic!
These retro styles are available off the court as well. The Villanova Bookstore sells an assortment of pieces with vintage influence, perfect for the Villanovan who considers themselves old-school. With the rise of basketball season, there will be plenty of opportunities to parade your personal style. Yet, game day culture is just a bit different here in the 610; game-goer outfits must be equipped to withstand sub-zero temperatures in the Wells Fargo parking lot. We aren’t in the SEC where gameday outfits typically include a pair of cowboy boots or the Big 10 where you’ll find far too many tragic pairs of school-colored overalls. Here at Villanova, pretty much anything goes, and I think that is what makes our gameday fashion so notable.
Check out our HoopsMania gallery, curated from @novambb @novawbb and @villanovadanceteam on Instagram.
