Designer of UM’s alternate Native logo proud of ‘monumental’ showcase

Missoula – The primary colors at the University of Montana are well known, from ancient copper and gold to today’s maroon and silver.

But on Saturday, the long-awaited debut of Montana’s turquoise basketball jerseys will take place when the Lady Grizzlies host Portland State at 2 p.m. at Dahlberg Arena.

It will be a game where basketball is the scene, but the meaning and significance behind the jerseys runs much deeper.

“It’s definitely a huge thing in a tribal sense, just to get that significance and the history behind it, why it was created, but not to mention add the history of the original athletes here,” said graphic designer Benji Headswift. “Indigenous scholars too, so to get that rich history and that lineage through the University of Montana, and create a new chain link that the younger generation can connect with, that’s really where it’s at.”

This will be UM’s first year participating in Nike’s N7 Program, a cause created to encourage Native American youth and communities to participate in athletic and recreational activities.

Through this initiative, which began in 2009, Nike has partnered with colleges that provide the apparel, and programs will wear turquoise uniforms, a color associated with fellowship, good luck, and much more in Native American culture.

to our university. For our state. for us…