It’s has been nearly 75 years since the attacks on Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, and since it is the first time since 1999 Arizona Football will play Hawaii in football, the Wildcats will don meaningful uniforms in remembrance of that day.
It was announced earlier in the week that the school would have special recognitions taking place in and around the Arizona football game against Hawaii this weekend.
This year will mark the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the loss of the U.S.S. Arizona, including the 1,177 officers and crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.
Fun Fact: The University of Arizona built the $60 million, 440,000-square-foot Student Center using the USS Arizona as its architectural inspiration.
Since there is history between the University of Arizona and Pearl Harbor, the school and football team announced Wednesday they will be honoring the U.S.S. Arizona by wearing custom uniforms this Saturday.
https://twitter.com/AZATHLETICS/status/776211812417015808
The U.S.S. Arizona will forever connect the state with the events that transpired on that unforgettable day. The battleship was named in honor of the 48th state’s admission into the union and built for and by the United States Navy in the mid-1910s.
These uniforms were developed with the U.S.S Arizona in mind, and the color orientation is inspired by those that sailed on the famous battleship.
https://twitter.com/ArizonaFBall/status/776209072471191552
Pretty classy move if you ask us. Plus, the uniforms look great!
Helmets: The white helmets worn this weekend, replicate the color of the upper mast. It will also emphasize a red block A that had appeared on the jersey of one of the U.S.S. Arizona’s football teams.
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On the back of the helmet will be a bell sticker, representing the bell on the U.S.S. Arizona that now can be heard ringing on Arizona’s campus. Additionally, you will see a sticker of the ships’ rallying cry “At ‘Em Arizona.” The plate on the front of the helmet will display the date of the attack on Pearl Harbor ’12-7-41’.
Jerseys: The jerseys will be gray, replicating the color of the of the ships hull. Instead of the traditional player’s last name on the back, the Wildcats will adorn the nameplate BB-39, the ship’s hull number. A patch of the medallion worn by Esther Ross at the ship’s christening in 1915 will also appear on the front collar.
The left shoulder will have a patch of the 48-star flag, recognizing Arizona as the 48th state in the union, and the right shoulder will have a 47th squadron patch, in honor of that group shooting down eight enemy aircraft.
Pants: They will be red. Representing the color of the U.S.S. Arizona’s keel.
Greg Byrne and the University of Arizona are urging fans to arrive early to the game to witness some of the special events taking place this weekend.
In their open letter to the public, Arizona Athletics announced there would be a commemorable game program including a special cover. The program will have information describing the connection between the UofA and the U.S.S. Arizona, as well as a list containing the names of the 1,177 lives lost aboard the ship.
The National Anthem will include U.S.S. Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner, as well as a giant U.S. Flag which will be presented on the field by members of the UA’s ROTC programs.
Arizona will enter the field carrying the 48-star flag and will be presented to Bruner. Following the beginning ceremonies, the coin toss will use the squadron commander’s coin from the 47th Fighter Squadron, stationed at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan.
At halftime, Bruner will be joined by several World War II veterans for an on-field ceremony to remember Pearl Harbor, and to pay tribute to those lost in the attack, and subsequent world war. Also, the University of Arizona is encouraging all former and current service men and women to come to the game.
Next: Everything you need to know about the Arizona Football vs. Hawaii game
At Zona Zealots, we’re certainly excited to see all the festivities taking place this weekend, and are proud to see the UofA making such a classy move!
History definitely ties the state, school, and Pearl Harbor altogether, and you won’t want to miss this! Arizona has cool uniforms! BearDown, Arizona!