By Madison Rogers and Nicholas Williams | The Seattle Medium
When the Huskies take the court this February, their warm-up gear will look a little different—and carry a deeper meaning.
For the first time, University of Washington men’s and women’s basketball players had the chance to design their own warm-up shirts for Black History Month. The result: bold black tees, adorned with raised fists shaded in Husky purple, created by forward Dalayah Daniels and center Franck Kepnang.
The shirts—sponsored by Adidas and funded by UW Athletics—will debut during February games and even make their way into the stands through T-shirt tosses on Feb. 8 (men’s) and Feb. 20 (women’s). But the apparel is more than game-day gear. It’s a statement of unity, resilience, and the power of student-athlete voices.
From Players’ Vision to Powerful Symbol
In past years, Black History Month gear didn’t resonate with Daniels or Kepnang. This time, they wanted designs that felt authentic.
“This just felt more like creating something that we think is cool and we want to wear,” Kepnang explained. “It’s nice for once to be the designer for what we all want to wear.”
The shirt’s imagery—multiple raised fists in different shades of purple—represents both diversity and inclusivity. It’s a nod to UW’s signature color, but also a recognition of the many ways teammates and allies can support Black history at a predominantly white institution.
“The wording is straightforward. The fists make an impression,” said Kepnang. “They symbolize something bigger than ourselves.”
Leadership Through the Black Student Athlete Alliance
The initiative was spearheaded by the Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA), marking the first time basketball players were included in Black History Month apparel design.
BSAA serves as a hub for connection and advocacy, promoting Black-owned businesses, on-campus organizations, professional development opportunities, and the achievements of Black student-athletes. In 2023, the group was named Student Athlete Group of the Year at the Black Student Athlete Summit in Los Angeles.
Guiding the process was Donovan Wilson, UW’s Big Ten Fellow in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who saw the shirts as a way to amplify both visibility and heritage.
“I think people know it’s Black History Month, but it’s very easy to get caught up in the day to day,” Wilson said. “Basketball, being a predominantly Black sport, highlights representation even more.”
Voices That Carry
For Daniels, the shirts are about connecting today’s athletes to the legacy of those who came before.
“February reminds us it’s more than just a win—it’s bigger than that,” she said. “It’s about our history, about the Black student-athletes who wore these uniforms before us.”
Kepnang sees them as a unifying force. “When everybody is wearing it, we’re all on the same page,” he said. “It shows the solidarity among all of us.”
Both athletes emphasized the platform student-athletes hold in driving awareness and activism. “Sports bring people together,” Kepnang added. “For all the little boys and girls growing up, I hope they see us as role models. We’re doing this for the next generation.”
Beyond February
Wilson stressed that the effort cannot end when the month does. His vision: embedding DEI into every layer of the athletic department year-round.
“It’s not just about heritage months,” he said. “It’s about ensuring Black student-athletes feel safe, heard, and valued—even outside their season.”
For Daniels and Kepnang, the shirts symbolize a lasting message—one that celebrates history, sparks dialogue, and invites community.
“I would just urge people to come together,” Kepnang said. “Be open to learning from someone with a different background or experience. Don’t be afraid to listen.”
These warm-up shirts are more than fabric and ink. They’re an emblem of unity, resilience, and representation—designed by student-athletes who know the power of sport to inspire change.
From : Washington Huskies Shirt
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