PISCATAWAY - In celebration of Black History Month, adidas has unveiled a collection of NCAA uniforms inspired by the creativity, passion and expression of the early 20^th century's Harlem Renaissance. Throughout the month of February, all adidas Power 5 conference NCAA men's and women's basketball teams will wear a head-to-toe uniform inspired by the ballrooms of that era.
 
The Rutgers men's basketball team will wear the "Harlem Renaissance Collection" uniform in the sold-out contest versus No. 5 Michigan on Tuesday (Feb. 5), while the first place RU women's program will dress in the alternate uniform versus Wisconsin on Feb. 25.
 
Considered one of the most influential movements in African American history, the Harlem Renaissance was a creative movement that kindled a new cultural identity. In this era, the Renaissance ballroom became a place that epitomized basketball culture as local teams perfected their game on the same wooden floors that were also used for ballroom dance events and jazz shows. Together, the Harlem community infused their spirit of dance & sport within their day to day lives, and created an indisputable marriage between music, culture, and the game.  
 
Inspired by the wooden floors of the ballrooms where basketball became culture, each adidas team jersey also includes patterns which mimic the fabrics and prints of the 1920s that became a means of self-expression and community pride. Each uniform features a unique bean stitch texture around the team name, the word "BALLROOM" on the inner waistband of each short, and a "Celebrating Black Culture" patch. The collection also includes a series corresponding footwear silhouettes which echo the colors of the jazz ballrooms so important to the era. Each detail is meant to be an homage to the art, poetry, sounds and sport of the Renaissance, and to those driving their passion forward.
 
"At adidas, we created the Celebrating Black Culture program as a way of honoring our past throughout Black History Month, but also across the entire calendar year," said Adam Laitsas, Senior Director for adidas Basketball in North America. "We firmly believe that through sport, we have the power to change lives, and we're humbled to be able to celebrate these historical sport moments through the new Harlem Renaissance collection, and can't wait to see each team wear these on-court."
 
"The Harlem Renaissance was a historic moment of African-American expression in music, literature and fashion," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. "These fantastic adidas uniforms will give our student-athletes an opportunity to add their fashion and cultural expression during Black History Month. Our hope is that it will also inspire everyone to learn more about this remarkable period that produced the jazz of Duke Ellington, the poetry of Claude McKay and the stage career of the great Paul Robeson, Rutgers College (1919)."
 
In 2019, Rutgers marks the centennial anniversary of Paul Robeson's graduation. A standout student-athlete at Rutgers, including on the basketball court, Robeson became a world-renowned actor and activist. He has been heralded as "the most talented person of the 20th century" for his work in theater and film, and as an outspoken advocate for social justice. One of the university's most venerated alumni, he is the only alumnus to have his namesake grace buildings at all three Rutgers locations in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden.
 
Both men's and women's basketball teams from each adidas partner school will rock their unique jerseys in-game  throughout the month of February, and the full uniforms from a select group of universities will be on sale on adidas.com beginning February 5^th.
 
For more information, visit adidas.com/basketball and follow the conversation @adidashoops on Twitter and Instagram.