Howard University Jersey History: A Legacy of Pride and Progress
Howard University, a prestigious historically Black university, boasts a rich legacy reflected not only in its academic achievements and contributions to society but also in the evolution of its athletic uniforms. These jerseys represent more than just team apparel; they embody the strength, power, and tenacity symbolized by the Howard Bison.
Early Athletic Uniforms and the Dawn of Howard Athletics
The genesis of Howard University athletics can be traced back to the early 20th century. Edwin Henderson, often credited as the "father of black basketball," played a pivotal role in establishing the university's first varsity basketball team. Henderson, after his Twelfth Street Colored Y.M.C.A., organized the team using nearly the entire lineup of his “12 Streeters” team. Most of the former Y.M.C.A. players were already students at the prestigious black college. Managed by Henderson and J. H. Brown, Howard’s lineup included captain Henry Nixon, former Amherst Walter Camp All-American football halfback Edward B. Gray, star center Charles Gilmore, brothers Maurice and Arthur Curtis, and former Jersey City and Smart Set star Hudson “Huddy” Oliver. The new Howard team was even better than the 1909-10 Washington 12 Streeter team and easily won the 1910-11 black national championship title.
While detailed descriptions and images of these early uniforms are scarce, it's understood that they represented the nascent spirit of Howard athletics and the determination of its student-athletes.
The Evolution of Football Uniforms
Howard University's football program has a storied history, and its uniforms have undergone significant transformations over the years. In recent years, changes have been implemented to reflect a more modern aesthetic while honoring the university's traditions.
After showing some promise over the past few seasons, the Bison are looking to make a true statement this season. Compared to their last set of uniforms, it appears to be some obvious changes. Their numbers are bigger and fits the font within their style guide. A wide set of shoulder stripes were added, with two shades of grey. Instead of “Howard”, a secondary Bison logo is right under the neck collar for the home unis. For the away, there’s a giant Howard script. Overall, Howard is using more Grey in their color scheme. They have historically have used Red, White, and Blue. But since their logo change in 2015, Blue and Grey have been used more.
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These changes reflect a desire to modernize the team's image while maintaining a strong connection to the university's identity.
Volleyball Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Howard University's commitment to athletic excellence is exemplified by the achievements of its student-athletes. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the Howard University Women's Volleyball team retired four jerseys into the Burr rafters.
The players honored were:
- No. 2 Breshawn Harris: A three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion and two-time tournament Most Outstanding Performer. Primarily a setter, she entered HU's record books as a prolific server, finishing with the most career aces in the program's history. Dr. Harris graduated with a degree in Broadcast Production before getting her Ph.D.
- No. 6 Ericka Rockwood: One of only two Bison in Howard history to produce 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. She was a consistent force who never left the court and was a critical part of two MEAC Championship teams.
- No. 13 Carla Ellis: Leads the Howard program in two categories: most career games and career blocks. She ranks among the most efficient hitters in history while guiding the Bison to a pair of MEAC Championships. While attending Howard, she majored in pre-med/psychology.
- No. Kia Walker: Was a dynamic and efficient hitter, finishing with 1,133 kills, which is second all-time in program history. During her tenure, she led the Bison to a couple of MEAC Titles. Kia graduated with a Psychology degree and went on to earn multiple post-grad degrees.
This ceremony underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of individual athletes who have made a significant impact on Howard University's athletic programs.
The Bison Logo and its Significance
The Howard Bison logo serves as a powerful symbol of the university's values and aspirations. The Howard Bison symbolize strength, power, and tenacity-qualities embodied by one of America’s most diverse and prestigious historically Black universities. The logo appears on many of the athletic uniforms, further reinforcing the connection between the university and its athletic teams.
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Howard University Apparel: Representing the Legacy
Beyond the jerseys worn by athletes, Howard University apparel plays a vital role in fostering a sense of community and pride among students, alumni, and supporters. Our officially licensed Howard University apparel is custom-designed in-house to deliver unique, on-trend styles that celebrate the legacy and pride of this historic institution. Crafted from premium fabric blends-featuring soft cotton and polyester for durability and comfort-each piece offers vibrant colors and long-lasting quality. With every purchase, a portion of proceeds goes back to Howard University, supporting future generations of ambitious, groundbreaking Bison.
Wearing Howard University apparel is a way to represent the university's legacy and contribute to its continued success.
Greek Letter Organizations and Their Significance
Howard University is home to many academic and social Greek letter organizations on campus. These organizations play a significant role in campus life and often have their own unique apparel and symbols.
Delta Sigma Theta’s journal, featuring one of the sorority’s 1913 founders. “In 1912, 22 Howard University female students were looking to deemphasize the social side of sorority life and decided to change the name and colors of a campus organization to which they belonged. Previous members disagreed, so the 22 women created a new organization, Delta Sigma Theta, which was officially established on January 13, 1913. A few weeks later, the 22 Founders participated in their first formal act: Walking in the Women’s Suffrage March on March 3, the day before President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. By starting Delta Sigma Theta and being the only Black women’s organization participating in the march calling for the right to vote for all women, the 22 Founders laid the foundation on which 300,000-plus members in more than 1,000 chapters around the world now stand. From the vision they had 111 years ago, the 22 Founders created an organization of members whose lifetime commitment is centered around sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. The Delta Journal is a publication for sorority members, providing updates on recent events, programming, and accomplishments. Created by Howard University alumnae and Alpha Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta initiates Rachel and Rebecca Crouch, the sweater features one of the sorority’s most iconic symbols, Lady Fortitude. The sculpture - dedicated by the sorority and unveiled on Howard’s campus in 1979 - symbolizes the attributes of Delta Women: strength, courage, hope, wisdom, and femininity. It shows a woman with one arm reaching forward, which signifies the responsibility to lead, and another arm reaching back, to remind members of the importance of helping bring others along.
Howard University’s 1924 Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Alpha Phi Alpha initiation certificates, circa 1920 and 1923. Framed in Olympia. “These are treasured documents among the Brothers and proudly displayed alongside our degrees and other honors. The Shingle [membership certificate received after induction] of Brother Eugene H. This shirt symbolizes the collective unity of our Chapter’s lineage that spans over 110 years.
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The porcelain plate is adorned with Alpha Kappa Alphas’s crest, which was designed in 1920. The Kente stole, in the colors and letters of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, served as a proud emblem on the regalia worn to mark the attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy from the prestigious Howard University School of Communication. This achievement was celebrated during the 2000 commencement ceremony, signifying both academic excellence and affiliation with a cherished sisterhood. And The Ivy Leaf is the official journal of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. -Dr. Sigma Gamma Rho’s “The Aurora” magazine, 2006.
These organizations contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Howard University's culture and traditions.
A Legacy of "Truth and Service"
Howard University's motto, "Veritas et Utilitas" ("Truth and Service"), encapsulates the institution's commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. This commitment is reflected in all aspects of the university, including its athletic programs and the attire worn by its students and athletes.
Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Shortly after the end of the American Civil War, members of the First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of black clergymen. Within a few weeks, the project expanded to include a provision for establishing a university. Within two years, the university consisted of the colleges of liberal arts and medicine. The new institution was named for General Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War hero who was both the founder of the university and, at the time, commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. Congress chartered Howard on March 2, 1867, and much of its early funding came from endowment, private benefaction and tuition. Many improvements were made on campus.
Howard University played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement on a number of occasions. Alain Locke, chair of the Department of Philosophy and first African American Rhodes Scholar, authored The New Negro (1925), which helped to usher in the Harlem Renaissance. Ralph Bunche, the first Nobel Peace Prize winner of African descent, served as chair of the Department of Political Science. Beginning in 1942, Howard University students pioneered the "stool-sitting" technique of occupying stools at a local cafeteria which denied service to African Americans, blocking other customers waiting for service. This tactic was to play a prominent role in the later Civil Rights Movement. By January 1943, students had begun to organize regular sit-ins and pickets around Washington, D.C. at cigar stores and cafeterias which refused to serve them because of their race. Stokely Carmichael, also known as Kwame Ture, a student in the Department of Philosophy and the Howard University School of Divinity, coined the term "Black Power" and worked in Lowndes County, Alabama as a voting rights activist. Historian Rayford Logan served as chair of the Department of History.
The first sitting president to speak at Howard was Calvin Coolidge in 1924. His graduation speech was entitled, "The Progress of a People", and highlighted the accomplishments to date of African-Americans since the Civil War. In 1965, President Lyndon B. In 1975, the historic Freedman's Hospital closed after 112 years of use as Howard University College of Medicine's primary teaching hospital. In 1989, Howard gained national attention when students rose up in protest against the appointment of then-Republican National Committee Chairman Lee Atwater as a new member of the university's board of trustees. Student activists disrupted Howard's 122nd-anniversary celebrations, and eventually occupied the university's administration building. Within days, both Atwater and Howard's President, James E.
In 2018, nearly 1,000 students held a sit-in demanding injunction over the administration's use of funding, after a Medium post revealed that six university employees had been fired for "double dipping" financial aid and tuition remission. In May 2021, the university announced that the newly re-established college of fine arts, led by Dean Phylicia Rashad, would be named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
Howard University is the publisher of The Journal of Negro Education, which began publication in 1932. The Howard University Bison Yearbook is created, edited and published during the school year to provide students a year-in-review.
Howard Homecoming week is the most prominent and richest cultural tradition of the institution. Over 100,000 of alumni, students, celebrity guests, and visitors are in attendance to patronize the many events and attractions affiliated with the festive week on and near campus. While the specific calendar of events changes from year to year, the traditional homecoming events include the Homecoming Football Game and Tailgate, Pep Rally, Coronation Ball, Greek Step-Show (Howard NPHC Greeks), and Fashion Show. Springfest is an annual tradition created by the Undergraduate Student Association (UGSA) to celebrate the arrival of spring. Springfest is similar to homecoming week in the fall but on a smaller scale and with more emphasis on the student body. Springfest events traditionally include the Fashion Show, Talent Show, Vendor Fair, Poetry Showcase, Beauty Conference, Charity Basketball Game, and a major community service event. The Bison Ball and Excellence Awards is an annual black tie gala hosted by the Howard University Student Association (HUSA). A select number of students, faculty, organizations, and administrators from the Howard community are honored for their exceptional accomplishments.
Distinguished alumni of Howard University include a vice president of the United States, several United States diplomats and United States governors, a United States Ambassador to the United Nations, foreign royals, seven foreign heads of state, 11 members of United States Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, directors and executives of Fortune 500 companies, Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning actors, Grammy Award-winning songwriters and producers, two US Army generals, a US Air Force general and Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and Nobel laureates including Nobel Prize for Literature winner Toni Morrison. Additional alumni include civil rights activists and pioneers in the Civil Rights Movement, a United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, a United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a United States Secretary of Agriculture, a United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a United States Secretary of the Army, a United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce, 12 Mayors of American cities, and three State Attorneys General. Howard University has also produced many firsts, including Roger Arliner Young who became the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in zoology, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. the first African-American US Army general, Frederic E. Davison the first African-American US Army Major General and the first to command a US Army Infantry Division, Johnson O. Akinleye, 12th Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court justice, and Edward W. Brooke III who became the first African-American elected to the US Senate, among others. Howard University also counts four Rhodes Scholarship winners, 22 Pickering Fellows, 11 Truman Scholars, over 70 Fulbright Scholars, a Schwarzman Scholar, a Goldwater Scholar, and two Pulitzer Prize winners and numerous other Pulitzer Prize nominees among its alumni.
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