A modern tribute to a historic program
The University of Tennessee announced on July 6 that its women's basketball and softball squads will wear new orange Adidas uniforms beginning later this month. The apparel marks a return to the school's long‑standing partnership with Adidas, which previously dressed the teams from 1995 through 2015 before Nike took over.
A distinctive feature of the uniforms is the inclusion of Summitt Blue accents, a shade first introduced in 1968 when longtime athletics director emeritus Joan Cronan selected Columbia blue uniforms with orange lettering. Those blue details reappear on the sleeves, collar and side stripes of the new designs, linking the current generation to decades of Lady Vols tradition.
Honoring Pat Summitt and the 2022 alternate jersey
The blue‑accented alternate jerseys were first launched in 2022 as a tribute to the late coach Pat Summitt, whose influence remains a cornerstone of Tennessee women's athletics. The 2025 release expands that homage across both basketball and softball uniforms, reinforcing the program's connection to Summitt's legacy.
Design specifics include blue and white trim on the basketball jerseys' sleeves, collar and shorts, while the softball jerseys sport a blue and white stripe that runs along the sleeves and down the sides of the pants. The color palette deliberately mirrors the 1995‑2015 Adidas era, creating a visual bridge between past and present.
Fans can expect to see the new uniforms on the court and field starting July 7, with a full rollout scheduled through July 9. The release coincides with a broader push to celebrate Tennessee's rich sporting heritage while embracing contemporary performance standards.