THE RANGE
The 2023 NCAA Sideline collection was designed to support NCAA coaches and athletes across 24 sports, 3 divisions, 14 top tier NCAA schools and hundreds more collegiate, club and high school athletes.
Styles were built in spring to launch ahead of the fall 2024 athletic season, outfitting our athletes and coaches as soon as summer training camps begin. The same styles were built to be utilized through the spring and summer athletics seasons of 2025.
The range consists of classic travel, training and sideline apparel pieces that meet needs for practice, training, travel and media appearances. Designs must build in solutions that strengthen performance and execution on and off field that are specific for both the coach and the athlete.
For our 2023 line, I led the design of the coach’s range while also leading concept for the broader collection—including athlete, training, and bookstore components.
THE COACH:
School visits and interviews revealed that coaches rely on clean, versatile designs they can wear beyond the sidelines—on the golf course, at recruiting events, dinners, and press appearances.
This season, I shifted toward a more understated design approach, balancing the bold color blocking from previous years with a cleaner aesthetic. Coaches still wanted something that felt elevated and fresh, so I focused on subtle textural novelty and performance materials.
DESIGN EXPLORATION
MY APPROACH:
Focus on elevated functionality and polish—delivering a product that meets the high visibility and performance demands of coaching roles across NCAA programs, washes and wears as if it was new, and seamlessly styles into an existing team issued wardrobe.
THE HERO:
This season’s early ideation focused on coach or athlete as a hero to their fans, peers and team. Cutlines and textural choices evoke the idea of body armor, with intent for performance materials to provide additional function where needed on the sideline
Below are a few drawings that show my early design process- sketching, drawing, and identifying where and how silhouettes layer details and present as a collection:
COACH DESIGNS:
Fits are rooted in functionality and draft off of tried and true adidas Golf fits. Polos are relaxed through the chest with a slightly longer shirttail hem for tucking. Quarter zips are relaxed with built in adjustability. Polos and 1/4 zip styles are fit and wear tested as a layered set to ensure comfort when styled together.
Functional materials are 100% recycled polyester, feature sweat wicking hydrophilic technology, UPF protection, and highest durability standards. Fabrics with DWR C0 waterproofing and lightweight jersey meshes are zoned in aesthetically as body armor and function for the coach’s everday needs.
Cutline details are inspired by a hero’s needs, outlining placement of badges, high sweat zones, and areas where extra waterproofing is essential.
DESIGN FEATURE: THE ZIP POLO
The zip polo is a new silhouette for this season, taking a risk on a more modern take on a coach’s staple.
After sketching out ideas, I got to work with our block and taped/sketched out design lines on a dress form to get my ideas into three dimensions.
Next, I chose materials based on our coach’s primary need for functionality. I found a blended 100% recycled polyester double dye knit fabric with hydrophilic finish, perfect for the main body. The subtle heather outlook offerings dimension and after lab dipping all team colors can hit team color standards. Our second material is a powerful basic interlock in a 88/12 recycled polyester and elastane blend. Small raglan insets in a recycled polyester 1:1 rib create stretch zones and match the minimal bomber style collar.
Then, to clearly communicate my design and intent, I drew a flat sketch with important design measurements and pattern details for our pattern developer to translate into a pattern for our first round of sampling.
DESIGN FEATURE: WOVEN 1/4 ZIP:
This season’s woven 1/4 zips feature integrated DWR C0 woven ripstop panelling in areas of the body that are the first to soak when the weather changes. Outdoor sports like Baseball, Softball, Football and Track & Field require extra protection in these areas when the weather changes.
A lightweight recycled polyester double knit mesh material is used for integrated ventilation to provide extra cooling while exercising or warming up in the piece.
Next, I went to the mannequin with a block to work out design lines and realize the design in three dimensions.
GRAPHICS:
Graphics for the range were subtle and impactful. Primary team logos are recycled polyester woven jacquard badges finished with a satin stitch edge for a premium hand feel. Linear team word marks highlight the cutlines of the garments. This approach to design allowed the styles to integrate seamlessly into the coach’s collection of team issued gear.
Product Image Gallery: university of lousiville
