Rowdies new uniforms combine tradition, modernity

Posted Feb 24, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Feb 24, 2010 at 01:18 PM

FC Tampa Bay Rowdies players Adam Nowland, left, and Julian Valentin model the Rowdies new home and away uniforms on Wednesday morning.

The Hoops are back

The FC Tampa Bay Rowdies unveiled the uniforms for their inaugural season on Wednesday morning, combining a retro look with the hooped sleeves on the home jerseys and hooped socks for both uniforms with a more modern feel.

The Rowdies have a three-year licensing agreement with Italian-based manufacturer Lotto, and according to Lotto representative Matthew Geer the jerseys should be available two weeks before the start of the regular season against Crystal Palace Baltimore on April 16. Fans can pre-order jerseys, expected to retail for around $60, at the club’s web site, and at tonight’s U.S. Men’s National Team at Raymond James Stadium.

Rowdies Owner and President Andrew Nestor said it didn’t take long for the club to approve the design.

“I loved them right away,” Nestor said. “It took about two minutes to make a final decision and say, ‘yes, that’s the look for us.’ It incorporates, obviously, the vintage look, the stripes, the colors of the team, so we’re really happy with it.”

The uniforms also appeared to be met with unanimous approval by the handful of players present at the unveiling, with most getting photos taken of the jerseys they will don when the regular season begins. The Rowdies will wear training uniforms for their preseason scrimmages, saving the new uniforms for the opening day of the season.

Former U.S. Under-20 international Julian Valentin was one of the models, along with Adam Nowland, and said he really like the feel and design of the jersey.

“It’s very light, obviously, Lotto did a great job with it,” Valentin said. “What I like is that in terms of the look, the aesthetic, it captures the old Rowdies tradition and puts a new spin on it with the new technology. I’m a big fan of the new kit.”

Rowdies General Manager Perry Van Der Beck was also very happy to see the tradition of the uniform he used to wear upheld in the new designs.

“It’s what we were,” Van Der Beck said. “It’s got the colors, it’s got the hoops, and that’s how the Rowdies were recognized.”

In addition to the uniforms, the Rowdies also announced that in addition to the three preseason games already scheduled against the University of Tampa, FC Dallas and the Philadelphia Union, the side would also face the University of Central Florida on March 26 at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, and the University of South Florida on April 9 at the USF Soccer Stadium.

The side will open training camp on Monday at 9 a.m., currently slated to be held at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, with the players eager to get underway for the new season.

“Very excited,” Valentin said. “There’s been a lot of build-up, there’s been a lot of anticipation, and now to finally be here in Tampa really make things real. It can’t come soon enough, I’m ready to put in the hard work.”