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

UNLV Runnin' Rebels Mitchell & Ness Fitteds & Snapbacks

Mitchell & Ness has just released a nice and tight collection based around the University of Nevada Las Vegas, better known as UNLV. The collection consists of three fitteds and three snapback caps all featuring the classic Runnin’ Rebels logo worn by Larry Johnson & Co during their championship run in 1989-90. For fitteds, Mitchell & Ness offers two solid caps in red or black plus a third option in 2-tone.  On the snapback end, M&N brings out their standard arch with logo along with the Panel Down and a white front with alternate visor style. All caps are made in wool and feature Mitchell & Ness branding on the back. All styles can be found through any of the following: Mitchell & Ness.com, Hatclub.com or Lids.com.

Inside Label: 1988 Kansas University New Era Cap

In 1891, James Naismith formulated the rules to the game of basketball. He used the game as an athletic distraction, producing an active environment for his students during the cold New England winter. Naismith knotted two peach baskets on opposing sides of one another, both which served as a target for a soaring soccer ball. Several years later, in 1898, Naismith expanded the game to the Midwest by establishing the basketball program at Kansas University. Naismith would oversee the program through the end of the 1907 season.
The basketball program at Kansas University has taken the NCAA Tournament crown three times. The great Wilt Chamberlain situated his 7’1” frame under the net on the Kansas hardwood. The sharp shooting, Kansas bred, Danny Manning exploded onto the collegiate scene while in a Jayhawks uniform. The pin point, pressure packed miracle shot of Mario Chalmers helped the Jayhawks capture their most recent title in 2008. The history of the game of basketball has embraced the Kansas program, hoisting it as one of the nation’s top programs. The waves of March Madness have begun to take stride with the Kansas Jayhawks seeking out their fourth NCAA title.
This royal wool, New Era made cap serves as a celebration of the history of the Kansas University basketball program. It is a six panel cap with royal eyelits and a white capped button. On the front two panels, in white embroidered thread, sits the acronym of Kansas University. The under brim is grey while the inside crown is trimmed in a white cotton band. The old style New Era label sits within the inside back of the cap. This cap can be dated to the second National Title recorded by Kansas in 1988.

Text: Jared E. Wheeler

Zephyr NCAA 'Corduroy' Trucker Caps

Zephyr recently posted a preview of one of their upcoming trucker caps for NCAA teams on their Facebook page.  The cap combines thick corduroy with mesh panels and color coordinated in white and grey tones.  The whole look is tight and sure to take off in most teams.  No word on a drop date but look out for this one come early 2010. Stay posted.

Image: Zephyr ZHats

University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, On-Field Fitted Caps by Adidas

The University of Notre Dame is set to release their latest on-field, fitted baseball caps for the 2010 season, produced by Adidas.  The caps are made with standard wool, gray under visors, and sweat-bands made with Adidas Climalite technology, which keeps the area cool n dry, transporting sweat away from the skin.  ND will roll out three navy caps sporting their established ND ligature and an alternate option combined with a four-leaf clover.  All three styles will be available starting January 2010 through Notre Dame’s campus stores and online shop.

Inside Label: 1999 UConn, NCAA Final Four Champions Cap by Top Of The World

The 1999 NCAA Basketball Championship was the first title won by Jim Calhoun and the University of Connecticut men’s basketball program. The Final Four featured four teams with tremendous talent and determination. UConn went up against the tough Duke Blue Devils in the title game, defeating them by a slim margin. The Huskies Richard Hamilton dominated the tournament. Hamilton was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player and scored a tournament high of 145 total points. Hamilton padded his stock in the NBA draft through his tournament play and was chosen in the first round by the Washington Wizards.

This white cotton hat was constructed by Top of the World, a leading force in collegiate headwear. The hat is connected by six panels. The front graphic rests on the front two panels of the hat and serves to recognize the Huskies Championship title. The front graphic is thoroughly embroidered with the use of silver, white, aqua and royal thread. The UConn registered word mark rest at the top of the champions graphic. It is embroidered in silver and black onto a twill backing.

The 1999 Final Four registered logo is embroidered in detail on the right side panel.  The Top of the World logo is emblazed in silver thread on the left side panel.

The brim as a whole is white. The front of the brim is aqua dyed and is in the shape of a wave, outlined in royal embroidered thread. An aqua button rests at the top of the hat and four eyelets adorn the crown. The inside of the cap is lined in a black spandex band with the Top of the World tag stitched in the back.

The University of Connecticut remains a dominate fixture within collegiate men’s basketball. They would win their second NCAA title in 2004, once again under the leadership of their legendary coach, Jim Calhoun.

Text: Jared E. Wheeler