Inside Label: Starter NCAA Arkansas / UMass "Tip-Off" Cap

Each year, as the winter closes its fierce door, the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament takes center stage. Brackets are filled throughout the country, predictions are made and seeds are awarded. Each chosen team carries the pride of their school onto the hardwood, hoping to leave the tournament with a National Title.
All eyes were on the 31-3 Arkansas Razorbacks, who were led by the powerful Corliss Williamson. The Razorbacks blew through the Midwest regional bracket, mightily handling each opponent. Former Arkansas governor and acting President, Bill Clinton paid close attention to the unfolding of the tournament. Clinton even made an appearance of support for the Razorbacks as they inched closed to the National Title.
The hype that surrounded the Midwest region was the inevitable matchup in which the country was vying to watch unfold. The #1 seeded Razorbacks taking on the #2 University of Massachusetts Minutemen. This would have been the game that would have placed either team in the Final Four. However, the Minutemen were sent home after a second round loss to the Maryland Terrapins.
This cap was constructed in preparation for a predicted meeting of the top two teams in the Midwest region. Its premature development makes it all the more sacred, due to the game never taking place. This cap was constructed by Starter whose logo sits above the snap closing on the back of the cap. The Starter word mark rest on the front panel with a distinct design of a basketball trailing to the net. The word, Tip-Off rests to the side of the logo. The left panel features the U Mass trademarked logo, as the Arkansas registered logo sits on the right. The brim, eyelets and button are a crimson color.
This cap is rare, both in time and accuracy. It is a piece which sums up the development of the game of basketball in the 1990’s. Corliss Williams was the machine that led the Razorbacks, being named Most Outstanding Player. His leader and coach, Nolan Richardson would carry home his first title while gaining the attention of the President.

Text: J.Wheeler