USI Fans Will Notice Something Different This Season

Why Screaming Eagles Uniforms Are Getting a New Look

If you’re watching a University of Southern Indiana game this season, you might notice something a little different on the Screaming Eagles’ uniforms.

And no, it’s not a new uniform design.

Earlier this month, the NCAA opened the door for Division I schools to place commercial sponsor logos and patches on uniforms, apparel and equipment. Beginning August 1, schools were permitted to feature up to two commercial logos on regular-season uniforms, with each logo limited to a maximum of four square inches.

It didn’t take long for USI to take advantage of the change.

USI Announces New Partnership With TCG

The University of Southern Indiana has partnered with TCG, a company based in nearby Mount Vernon, Indiana, in a deal that will put the company’s logo on uniforms across USI Athletics.

According to USI Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall, the university didn’t want to rush into choosing just any company to appear alongside the Screaming Eagles.

Hall said USI spent the spring and summer looking for a company that made sense for a long-term partnership before ultimately finding that fit with TCG.

“We were fortunate enough to find that partner in TCG out of Mount Vernon,” Hall said.

And this won’t be limited to just USI basketball or one of the university’s bigger sports.

Screaming Eagles Fans Will See the Logo Across USI Athletics

Hall said all 19 USI varsity teams will feature the TCG logo on their uniforms in some way.

Exactly how that will work for sports like swimming and diving or track and field is still being figured out, but the plan is for the partnership to have a presence throughout the athletic department.

That means whether you’re watching basketball inside Liberty Arena, baseball, soccer or another Screaming Eagles team, there’s a good chance you’ll start seeing TCG represented.

The Six-Year Deal Is Worth Around $1 Million

Of course, putting a company logo on a college uniform is about more than adding a patch.

USI's commitment with TCG is a six-year partnership worth approximately $1 million.

For an athletic department still relatively new to the NCAA Division I level, that additional revenue could make a significant difference.

Hall said the influx of money will allow USI Athletics to provide things for its student-athletes and coaches that it otherwise may not have been able to offer.

“Obviously, that influx of revenue helps do some things for our student athletes and coaches that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” Hall said. “So we’re really excited about the partnership.”

College Uniforms Are Changing

For fans, sponsor logos on college uniforms may take a little getting used to. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing them in professional sports, but college jerseys have traditionally looked a little different.

Now, that line is beginning to change.

And USI is getting in on it early with a partnership that not only puts a local company on Screaming Eagles uniforms, but also brings roughly $1 million into USI Athletics over the next six years.

So the next time you’re watching the Screaming Eagles and spot a TCG logo on the uniform, now you’ll know why it’s there and just how much that little patch is worth.

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