ISU beat Iowa. Was it the uniforms? Equipment director shares his secrets.

For the next year, Iowa is a Cyclone state. In the annual CyHawk face-off, the Iowa State University Cyclones beat the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and all the bragging rights that come with it. How’d they do it? It was the uniforms. The director of equipment breaks down the entire process behind the ISU football uniforms. He explains how they’re made and how player heads are digitally scanned to custom-fit their helmets.

9/24/24 Heads up: ISU Cyclones Men’s Basketball new uniforms were just announced.

Iowa State University Football Uniforms Take 2 Years To Make

Jon Sedgwick, Director of Equipment Operations for Iowa State University Athletics, said the uniform design process takes up to two years to complete. Collaborating closely with Nike, Sedgwick shares how details like color schemes and fabric materials are carefully chosen to not only enhance performance but also ensure that the team looks sharp on the field. He adds, “If you look good, you play good,” emphasizing how the right gear boosts players’ confidence. He’s not wrong, research actually backs this claim, which is a topic for another time.

Sedgwick reveals that the popular black-and-white uniforms are a result of this long process, explaining that changes start from the smallest details. “We wanted to change the numbers on the red uniform from yellow to white to flow better with the white pants,” he says. Working with Nike on design updates, Sedgwick and his team ensure every element—from fit to visual impact on TV—aligns with ISU’s vision.

Watch the interview with Jon Sedgwick

ISU football uniforms: How ISU Creates An Elevated Look

Sedgwick gives listeners a behind the scenes of ISU’s bold uniform designs and the detailed process behind them. Sedgwick, who played a key role in creating the blacked-out ISU football uniforms, shares insights into how athletic gear isn’t just about style, but also performance, tradition, and psychology.

The creation of the new ISU football uniforms, Sedgwick reveals, is a meticulous, two-year process. From selecting materials to collaborating with Nike, the attention to detail is astonishing. “It’s years in the making really to get from point A to point B and really kind of get to where we want to go with the different uniforms,” he explains, emphasizing that it’s not as simple as picking colors. The process includes understanding the program’s identity, ensuring functionality, and collaborating with Nike designers to create a look that matches the team’s ethos.

One key moment in the interview highlights how ISU’s move to black uniforms wasn’t just an aesthetic decision but one steeped in strategic branding. “We kind of went from our traditional look with the cardinal and gold and changed it up with the gray… eventually, we came out with the black and white ones,” says Sedgwick. These choices reflect ISU’s desire to stand out while remaining connected to their heritage.

Sharp Football Uniforms Equal Confidence

Sedgwick points out how even subtle details in the ISU football uniforms, such as switching the red jersey’s numbers from yellow to white to match the white pants, can have a big impact. Beyond aesthetics, the uniforms are designed with high-performance materials, something Sedgwick refers to as the “chassis” of the uniform. “Nike calls it a chassis, and it’s basically the specific uniform that we’re wearing. There are many different types—lighter materials here or more mesh there,” he says, highlighting how every detail is considered for optimal performance.

Sedgwick also recounts the input coach ISU Head coach Matt Campbell had on the process. At one point, Nike asked him if the ISU Football program was a car, would car would it be? The uniforms you see on game day were the product of years of development and serious thought.

The psychology of looking good plays a role as well. Sedgwick humorously notes, “There’s really something to, ‘if you look good, you play good.’” It’s not just about feeling confident—uniforms need to stand out on the field and look sharp in highlight reels. As Sedgwick describes, a lot of thought goes into ensuring the colors and design “pop” in both photography and live game footage.

In addition to discussing football, Sedgwick touches on upcoming changes for ISU basketball uniforms and hints at potential updates in the next two years. His insights reflect a deep understanding of how athletic gear influences not just the players, but the brand of the entire program.

ISU helmets are custom fit with cool tech

One more key aspect to the ISU football uniform design is the custom fit helmets. These aren’t one-size fits all.

To ensure players get maximum protection, all helmets are custom fit using a scan of each players head. A tight fitting “sock” is pulled over the players head, pushing down the hair, and a scan is taken using a hand held tablet device. When the custom helmet arrived, the players signature appears inside.

With increased attention on player concussions and injury, the ISU football uniforms are evidence of the Universities great lengths to make their football uniforms not just visually appealing, but safer.