With the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor approaching, the Arizona Wildcats football team will wear custom uniforms honoring the U.S.S. Arizona during Saturday's game in Tucson against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
The U.S.S. Arizona, along with 1,177 officers and crewmen, were lost in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
"The uniforms were developed with the U.S.S. Arizona in mind and the colors are inspired by those of the famous battleship," UA athletic director Greg Byrne wrote in his weekly Wildcat Wednesday newsletter, adding that the ship named after the 48th state admitted to the union "will forever connect our state with the events that transpired on that fateful day."
The features on the custom jerseys include:
-A white helmet featuring a Block A that appeared on the jersey of one of the U.S.S. Arizona's football teams.
-Gray jerseys -- the same color of the U.S.S. Arizona's hull.
-Red pants -- the same color of the U.S.S. Arizona's keel.
-A nameplate of BB-39, the ship's hull number, instead of traditional last names on the back of the jerseys. "A patch of the medallion worn by Esther Ross at the ship's christening and launch on June 19, 1915 will appear on the front collar," Byrne wrote.
-A left-shoulder patch featuring the 48-star U.S. flag, and a right-shoulder patch honoring the 47th Fighter Squadron credited with shooting down eight aircraft during the attack.
In addition, the Wildcats will honor U.S.S. Arizona survivor Lauren Bruner during the national anthem, which will be performed by a UA ROTC cadet and will include a skydiver. Bruner and several World War II veterans will participate in an on-field ceremony during halftime to remember the fallen and be saluted for their service.
"We're asking fans to be in Arizona Stadium by 7:40 p.m. to take part in the various remembrances," Bryne wrote.
All active and retired military members will receive 50 percent off tickets to Saturday's game.
Every piece tells a story. ??
75 years later, #WeRemember ??? pic.twitter.com/xtO6UvunB1— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) September 15, 2016
