After working on designs on paper for more than a month, Kansas University marching band director Jim Hudson finally has a prototype uniform to show off.

“I’d like to think there’s something in it for everybody,” Hudson said of the uniform, which is being unveiled to the public today in the Journal-World. “It was our goal not to dump the band’s traditions, but to put them in a package that is appealing to not only alumni but to current students.”

The prototype, designed by Fruhauf Uniforms Inc. in Wichita, will be the company’s featured uniform at the annual Kansas Music Educators Assn. convention beginning today in Wichita.

“That’ll be some great exposure for us,” Hudson said.

The new uniform, designed by a committee from the school of fine arts, is built over black pants and shoes, with a black hat with crimson stripes and a silver Jayhawk emblem.

The jacket offers several different looks for the front and back that can be changed depending on the event or music being played, Hudson said. The basic jacket has a modern look similar to drum and bugle corps uniforms.

One overlay to the jacket gives a look similar to the most recent uniform design, which has been in place since the 1960s. The reverse side is similar to the uniforms worn in the 1950s.

The jacket also has a reversible cape, with one side red and the other white.

One version of the new Kansas University marching band uniform features an overlay that is similar to the uniform design used since the late 1960s.
See the Quicktime VR: Feather the Flock uniforms.

And there’s a historical reason for all of it.

“Everything in this uniform can be traced back to previous generations of KU band uniforms,” Hudson said.

He said he expected the uniforms to be delivered by midsummer, in time for use at football games this fall. They will be purchased thanks to the “Feather the Flock” campaign spearheaded by the Journal-World in cooperation with the KU athletic department, KU school of fine arts, Topeka Jayhawk Club and KU Endowment Association.

The campaign has met its goal of raising $150,000 for 300 uniforms; money being raised as the campaign continues through the month will be used to create an endowed fund to pay stipends to band members.

The new outfits will replace the current dilapidated uniforms, which were purchased in 1982 and are now held together by duct tape.

Evan Billings, a sophomore mellophone player who modeled the uniform Wednesday at the Journal-World, said he appreciated the way historical elements were combined to make a modern and varied look.

“It gives you a sense of where we’ve been and where we’re going to go,” he said.

Quicktime VR: Feather the Flock uniforms Band alumni agree: football pregame run-in unforgettable (2-22-04) KU band fund drive exceeds $150,000 goal (2-19-04) See photos, listen to the band and see more stories Post your thoughts on the new uniforms.