Throughout the past five years, the WNBA has undergone a serious revolution. It’s not just that their prominence has risen, or that their draft picks have  gotten increasingly more impressive and it is not even that they have continued to sign better contracts with ESPN for coverage. Instead, it has to do with something deceivingly simple: their uniforms. When the 2016 draft took place and the pictures of the first round picks were released, there was a detail on the uniforms that was suddenly strikingly obvious: the names of sponsors were larger than the team’s logos. 

This was a stark contrast to the NBA. Teams across the league had logos that spanned their entire chest. Some had logos and the names of their teams. There were alternate jerseys. There was not a sponsor to be found on the men’s uniform. In fact, even high school and college teams had the honor to play for their school without product placement interfering. The WNBA, comparatively underfunded, sold space on team’s jerseys to keep the teams outfitted. 

In 2015, Nike signed a deal with the NBA making them the sole company creating uniforms for the league. The same year, the WNBA was afforded the same deal and all teams transferred to uniforms with a swoosh. But, almost immediately, Nike began work on different kinds of uniforms. The NBA was given city uniforms that pay homage to the place that hosts them. Plenty of teams have more than a third jersey option. The WNBA had two—home and away. 

That changed on April 8, 2021. Nike announced and released new jerseys for all 12 teams of the WNBA. All of them would fall under the acronym H.E.R.—Heroine (home jerseys) Explorer (away uniform) and Rebel (city) editions. For the first time ever, sponsor logos have been removed from the jerseys. The priority is now the team and the team’s colors. Now, the WNBA has also been afforded city jerseys, reminiscent of some of the most popular jerseys in the NBA. 

It is also important to note that there are specific touches that Nike has been working on for years in order to make this happen. For the first time, the women will have the chance to choose a neckline on their jersey. Knowing the body type of the professional athletes, Nike has created a new template for shorts that allows for more space through the thighs and glutes. The jerseys will have large arm holes and wider body panels to accommodate the muscularity of the women. 

While all l2 teams have unique stories behind their third options, there are three that are remarkably unique. The first is that belonging to the Connecticut Suns. The team plays in Mohegan Arena, owned by the Mohegan tribe. They are the only professional team in sports that has proper affiliation with a Native tribe (looking at you, Washington Football Team and Kansas City Chiefs). On their third jersey, the word “Keesusk” spans the chest. Keesusk is the Mohegan word for sun. The pattern that adorns the sides is the Mohegan “trail of life.” Their other two jerseys also feature Mohegan patterns. 

The Dallas Wings third jersey is also exceptionally noteworthy. Texas manufactured the P-40 Warhawk during WWII. What’s more? The plane was flown by Women Airforce Service Pilots, the famous WASPS, during testing. Militaristic in design, the jersey features a military green (certified military-grade) base, accompanied by a white star with a blood-red circle in the middle of it. 

Finally, the Washington Mystics pay homage to being the home of liberty in the U.S. with their third option. The word “RISE” replaces the Mystics moniker. Under RISE, is an odd, almost tracing shape. It is the path that the Women’s March takes throughout downtown D.C. Printed overtop the path are the words of the 19th Amendment. There are other important pieces that pay homage to the women’s history that have taken place in the nation’s capital. With the  passing of D.C. statehood legislation in the House, the Rebel edition for the Mystics has especially important meaning. 

Nike is one of the few athletics companies who have continuously tried to make places for women and change with the times. This new uniform collection stands as the pinnacle of Nike’s engagement with women to date. It is an important message to other female professional athletes as well as young girls who are looking to get invested in women’s sports. Another perk of this new collection with the WNBA is that Nike has released it in bulk on their platforms. It is the first time a jersey from all 12 teams is available on the Nike website. Additionally, team merch is also more widely available on the website. 

For some, this is far over-due. For others, the intent, details and planning that have gone into this release make sense. What is for certain is that it has been well received by the women throughout the league and has given women’s sports hope. For years, women’s uniforms have been startlingly similar to men’s uniforms. Now, the new dawn of women’s athletics says that women’s bodies deserve outfitting made specifically for women. Nike has taken it into their own hands to make sure they are a part of that change—something especially comforting for women who have spent large parts of their career without much recognition.

Stanford is a powerhouse. Known as the ivy of the west coast, with a stunning campus and astronomical post-graduation clout, it is easy to understand why the draw to Stanford is so big for student athletes. Oh, and they boast a 36 program athletic department. Well, before COVID-19 they did. 

With the onset of coronavirus, Stanford Athletics knew that their financial department would feel the repercussions quickly. So, they made the decision to cut programs. The news of the cuts broke on July 8, 2020. The athletes belonging to the programs that would be cut were sent an email at 9:10 telling them they would need to be on a call by 9:45. In five short minutes, Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir had told the athletes the cuts were non-negotiable. Whatever season COVID-19 allowed them to have would be their last in a Stanford uniform. 

While Stanford was not the first school to make athletic department cuts, they were the first to do so with such magnitude. Prior to the cuts, Stanford had boasted the second largest athletic department in the country with 36 programs. Even with their $26.5 billion trust, the school said they could no longer afford eleven programs. They would be cutting men’s volleyball, wrestling, men’s rowing, field hockey, squash, women’s lightweight rowing, synchronized swimming and the coed fencing and sailing teams. Stanford said they would honor all present athletic scholarship commitments and pay out all coaching and staff contracts affected. They would also be paid severance. 

For plenty of athletes, however, they had not simply chosen Stanford for all the extras that college competition would offer them—they had come to play. Shane Griffith overtook the NCAA wrestling championship by storm. This was a complete 180 from the kid who had called his dad that day with serious consideration of quitting. Griffith would take down Pittsburgh’s Jake Wentzel to claim the 165 pound championship. When his time for interviews came, questions came flooding in regarding the all black uniforms the team had worn throughout the tournament. Unanimously, the team had decided they would not wear the logo of a school they felt did not support them. They had made their journey to St. Louis on their own accord, with the support of their friends and family, rather than that of their athletic department. Griffith’s success on the national stage brought widespread attention to the plight of not only the wrestling team but of the other eleven sports that had also been cut. 

The only other Stanford sport that has seen competition this year is Stanford field hockey. Taking a page out of the wrestling team’s book, they come to every match equipped with black tape. On both their red and white uniforms, the black line that cuts through Stanford sends the same message as Stanford wrestling: they will not play for a school that does not support them. On April 24, 2021, Stanford field hockey took the America East championship for 4 titles out of the last 5 years. The argument that the athletic department had previously tried to make that the programs were not winning enough, simply does not make sense. 

Both programs are fighting to remain alive. Donations have been made and the eleven million price tag placed on them to retain residency in the department has been reached. However, Stanford has remained steadfast in their decision: they plan to keep only 25 teams. Throughout the years, Stanford has produced plenty of Olympians. It is one of the few athletic departments left in the country that has fought to keep Olympic sports alive. With the cutting of these programs, the fear of extinction for sports like synchronized swimming is more prevalent than ever. 

Stanford has been a renowned athletic department for generations. The announcement of July 8 sent shockwaves throughout the country. Cuts such as this potentially threaten every other program nation-wide. While Stanford has shared that they intend these cuts to be permanent, there is no telling what happens in the months to come. Some could say that turning some of the most brilliant student athletes in the country into enemies might not have been the best decision. One thing is for certain, however. The student athletes of the Cardinals program will continue to prove their worth. In fact, no one should be surprised if it is Stanford field hockey hoisting the national championship trophy in all black. They have a point to prove, and they will go down swinging. 

After a year-long hiatus, the biggest tournament in the NCAA is back. Teams have put in countless hours to see time on a court. They have given themselves the opportunity to potentially hoist the most prized trophy in all of college basketball. Of course, this year, it is important to note that the same opportunity is provided to men and women. Although, that does not necessarily mean they are provided the same means to attain it. 

The men’s tournament is taking place in a bubble in Indianapolis where the teams spend 24 hours of their day in a huge convention center. Within the convention center, there are practice courts, team rooms where teams can watch film, movies, bond, study and enjoy free time. But where they lift has become a huge source of contention in less than a week. 

The women’s tournament, taking place in San Antonio, looks significantly different from the men’s tournament. While the general premise should be the same, the reality looks significantly different. On March 19, the first alarm of inequality sounded. The comparison between the men’s and women’s weight rooms were released to the public by athletes. The men’s weight room was enough to make any regular gym goer envious. With at least 15 racks, beautifully stacked weights and a dumbbell section longer than the men of the tournament are tall, the men of the tournament were understandably awed. For a few teams, the weight room for the tournament rivaled their school’s. Alternatively, the women were provided with a dumbbell rack. To add insult to injury, the highest weight of the dumbbells provided were thirty pounds. 

The worst part of the story, however, was that the weight room was not the only thing with severe imbalances. Quickly, comparisons of the food were leaked along with comparisons of the gift packages players received. While the men received, large, catered buffet meals, the women were given single serving meals with unidentifiable meat. While the men were given huge gift packages with a blanket, flag, plenty of toiletries and various other tournament specific merch, the women’s package was comparatively miniscule. Given a small towel, socks, a drawstring bag and a fraction of the toiletries men’s teams were provided, the women felt snubbed when it was made apparent that the men’s packages were larger. As if it had not been obvious enough, perhaps the biggest insult came through the puzzles that were given to every player. To the women—a 150 piece puzzle promoting the tournament. To the men—a 300 piece. If the entire situation were to be summed up, this comparison arguably speaks the loudest. 

Within the last year, social media has taken up a prominent role keeping people connected. It allows for the closest connection that can be provided during a worldwide pandemic. The players utilized it to their advantage. Sharing photos with one another and then eventually the public, the pictures provided the fuel for a fury of female athletes. Administrators, coaches, players and families took to the internet to voice their opinions and their disgust with the NCAA. The general sentiment: How can an organization that claims to champion female athletes put them in such an obviously undervalued position?

In addition to the athletes themselves, professional athletes, professional coaches and previous NCAA coaches, strength trainers (men and women alike), NCAA administrator, and athletes in the men’s tournament have all added their voices to the problems surrounding the inequality. Joined together, the outcry caused immediate action from the NCAA. Within 24 hours, the women’s weight room had improved considerably. For starters, there was one. Now the women have racks, dumbbells past thirty pounds and a designated area for strength training. Exponential improvements from the first situation. 

While the NCAA has released various statements regarding the slip up, many feel the statements do not reflect the reality of the situation. A valid question posed by many was why the NCAA felt so comfortable with such an objectively awful situation. Was it that they simply thought no one would notice? Is it that they assumed it would not be a big deal? Are they being honest saying they did not have the space to provide such resources? 

The whole situation has left a black smudge on the NCAA’s efforts claiming them as an equal showroom for athletes. In 2021, such blatant inequality feels reminiscent of the pre-Title IX days. Albeit, there are positives that have resulted. For one, it signaled to female athletes that their voices can cause immediate change. Two, it serves as a reminder that there is always work to be done. If the one organization that has all the incentive to equally provide for its female and male athletes cannot do so without referees, it is important to make sure people are holding one another accountable. Finally, it has created a big conversation. What started as pictures and videos on social media has built into ammunition to change conversations. One example is the push to designate the men’s tournament as men’s and the women’s tournament as women’s. The calling comes from the idea that the women’s tournament has always been designated as such and the men’s tournament has become assumed as the default. 

March Madness has gotten its name for the chaos that ensues. Usually, that chaos comes from upsets and Cinderella stories. In a year dominated by social change and advocacy, it makes disappointing sense that it would apply here as well. This year, the men’s tournament has drawn considerable attention for the upsets and overthrows but the women’s tournament holds plenty of madness in its own right. Ultimately, this situation has started the conversation for other means of improvement throughout the NCAA. This year’s madness will certainly be historic. The women of the tournament will continue to push for historic wins and historic change. 

Loyola-Chicago has a secret weapon. It is not their experienced coach, Porter Moser. It is not their nation-leading defense. It is not even their offensive leader. In fact, it is not a person who is listed on their staff. Instead, it is a formidable 5 foot tall, 101 year-old nun named Sister Jean. 

By now, she has been working with student athletes for decades. She was made the team’s chaplain and has been with them through their highs and lows throughout seasons past. Sister Jean accompanied the Ramblers to their 2018 run to the Final Four where they would be bested by Michigan. The number 8-seed Ramblers have already pulled off a miracle —taking down 1-seed Illinois, and many suspect it comes from their personal miracle worker. 

Sister Jean’s role as chaplain is to guide them in prayers before their games and provide them advice. But Sister Jean’s role does not simply stop there. She loves basketball. She scouts the teams, gives the players valid advice and gives the team support from the sidelines. She can often be found wearing a varsity jacket accessorised by a maroon and gold scarf. In the latest pictures of Sister Jean, she seems to be dipping her feet into the world of fashion, putting on matching gold and maroon Nike sneakers. 

Simply put, Sister Jean is a beacon of light with the Ramblers basketball team. She has encouraged them to keep their grades up and stay NCAA compliant, while also guiding them spiritually and emotionally. In order to travel and attend the team, she received her COVID-19 vaccinations. At 101-years-old, she gives credit to the young people she serves for keeping her heart so young. 

She has taken the country by storm and has become the recognizable face of Loyola-Chicago basketball. Basketball fans from around the country know who she is and respect the impact and importance of her presence in March Madness. It seems almost normal now that when Loyola-Chicago takes down yet another highly seeded team, fans assume it was the power of Sister Jean’s prayer that lifted them there. 

The Rambler’s nun may be the sense of normalcy they need to complete their run to a national championship. Outlets have strayed from calling them a Cinderella team this time around—their 8-seed took care of that. This time, the Ramblers are more well known, thanks in part to Sister Jean. They have a chance to take the opportunity of a college player’s dream—win a national championship ring, a treasure Sister Jean will certainly cherish. 

Sister Jean’s pregame prayer has been said to add the extra bit of heart the team needs. In fact, she called out Illinois’ weakness and encouraged the players to capitalize on them—with God’s help of course. This week they will take on Oregon State, a 12-seed they will certainly not take lightly. With the help of Sister Jean’s scouting, expert pre-game prayers and a little extra comfort, Loyola has the chance to be crowned the champion right in front of their number one fan. 

There is nothing quite like college basketball. Every team has its thing. For the Rambler’s their thing is a who and that who is pretty important. Sister Jean’s century might just have given her words the extra miracle power they need to help the Rambler’s work pay off. Regardless of the outcome for the Ramblers in this tournament it is nice to see somewhat of a return to normalcy. Sister Jean accompanying the team to Indianapolis has been a welcome sight for fans, even if she is an ominous sign for the Rambler’s opponents. But in all, Sister Jean’s magic words seem to have the power to help Loyola win the big games. That power will certainly have LCU fans thinking, “Ramble on, Sister Jean!”

Chaifetz Arena is always busy. Athletes hustle in and out of the VIP entrance, headed for rehab or running to lift. Players run down the hallway to grab items from their respective locker rooms. Coaches hustle about for their COVID tests. The administration has not had the opportunity to sit still since all the athletes have come back to campus. 

It is important to know that in a normal year, Chaifetz is busy. Without the limited space in the weight room and training room, sometimes athletes and teams were required to wait their turn. Now, with 18 sports and nearly 300 athletes coming and going on a daily basis, Chaifetz is nothing short of a beehive. Athletes wait patiently to be taped while others anxiously shift around waiting for their lift to start, but only after undergoing the necessary COVID protocols. 

Sports this year look a little different. The classroom in the arena has gone unutilized. Pregame meetings take place on Zoom. Pregame meals are no longer provided—athletes are on their own. In reality, the team comes together to lift, practice and play. Otherwise, for everyone’s safety, teams spend their time apart from one another. Every day at practice they have the opportunity to recount a day’s worth of adventures that in another year, they probably would have experienced together. 

For administrators, their duties and obligations have increased ten-fold. In a normal year, the fall and spring seasons are the busiest. Now, all eighteen are a go. That means any problems that arise are on the shoulders of those who are already experiencing a career-high workload. For things to go seamlessly, an abundance of effort is poured into careful planning and painstaking cooperation between public health officials and the teams. 

This is not for nothing, however. Certainly, there are challenges to this season and plenty have yet to be seen, but every team that is currently competing is boasting a winning record. The Billikens have prepared long months, raft with highs and lows in order to undertake a real season and a chance to play the game they love. In order for this to happen, plenty of teams had to make sacrifices. Swimming was sent to an off campus facility to train this fall. Tennis and field hockey, which normally play off-campus, have had to conform to their venues’ ever-changing rules and regulations that allowed them to be there. With the brutal winter weather of last week, every outdoor sport had to make adjustments to continue practice. For baseball and softball, indoor hitting facilities allowed them to hone their offensive game, men’s and women’s soccer paid visits to the various indoor soccer facilities in the area, and field hockey also moved to an indoor pitch. 

For the Billikens, this season will be about taking things in stride. There are bound to be problems and slip-ups. One of our teams or an opponent could test positive for COVID. Earlier this month, SLU’s ever-vigilant health staff advised the men’s basketball team to stay back from their game against Richmond— a call that helped keep not only men’s basketball but the entire department COVID-free. 

A win this season will be a little more sweet than normal. Getting to play will mean a little more than usual. Everything is a gift. It is the sort of situation no one wants to find themselves in but that reminds you exactly why you should never be so comfortable you take things for granted. 

For a renowned athletics department, this season is a unique test. For athletes, administrators, coaches and fans alike, COVID will continue to test mental and emotional stamina. For athletes, continued separation from family and friends has created an environment with little reprieve outside of athletics. For fans, the spectator restrictions will make it difficult for students to support their peers and find activities that promote simultaneous social distancing and entertainment. 

This season’s challenges are not simply from COVID, either. For fall student-athletes, almost a year has passed with full focus on training and preparation for being in season. High intensity training on the body could wreak havoc on Billikens’ bodies, potentially bringing problems throughout the season. A condensed season could also bring problems. Many teams will play their season straight through without a week off. 

As for the perks, there are a few that are obvious. The ability to play is one that is not overdone. The chance to travel and see opponents as opposed to simply continuing intrasquad scrimmage is what teams have trained for. Anticipation and excitement with a twist will be a familiar feeling for our athletes this season. Now, more than ever, it is important to seize the opportunity provided. But there are plenty that the season could hold. As of now, we do not know what a postseason for any of our teams could look like. A postseason itself will be full of unique challenges with different obstacles to navigate. However, the importance of keeping a positive mindset and training for the best will be of utmost importance. 

The Billikens are a tight-knit group. Supporting one another does not come with much resistance. Many remain hopeful that things could change throughout these next months. Even with a shortened season, it is important to remember that a month is still a good bit of time…plenty could happen. In short, nobody knows what these next hectic few months hold for the Billikens. Most certainly, there will be triumphs and defeats, records broken and celebrations had. While they will look different than usual, it will still be an important thing in which to partake. A sense of normalcy will be the greatest thing afforded for the athletes this season. SLU is not the only athletic department in the nation facing these new challenges. In a way, it is a great equalizer. It gives the underdog the chance to rise up and provide the nation with a well-loved Cinderella story. In the end, while this season is new and unique for everybody, there has never been a better chance to make history. And that is just what Billikens and fans alike will be anxiously awaiting this next season.