FORT WORTH - Groups gathered to stand in line to be among the first to get a glimpse of TCU's new football uniform and get a T-shirt Tuesday at the Texas Christian University bookstore.
The uniform is part of Nike's new Pro Combat line, which especially designed uniforms for TCU.
"I think they're awesome," said Malory Burkett, a TCU fan. "Some people have mixed opinions about them; I think they're really cool. The pants look kind of like horned frog scales and I think the helmets are really awesome."
But, not everyone was so quick to agree.
"The pants, they kind of look like animal print," said Susan Semmelmann, another fan. "I think that's a little girly for the frogs. I don't know. I'm in interior design and it looks like something I would put on my sofa."
Traditionalists say the only way you can build tradition is by not making massive changes, especially to the uniform. But, that's not the case this weekend as TCU plays their biggest game of the year against Utah.
The Horned Frogs are one of ten teams that will receive the special treatment from Nike before the end of the year. It's only a one-game deal, but TCU could adopt a portion or all of the uniform at a later date.
"You know, I’ve gotten a hundred calls saying don't change it because their superstitions," said Head Coach Gary Patterson. "And, I've gotten a hundred calls that they're really excited. Me, I’m excited because my kids are excited. That's as close as I can come to having fun at a football game, the changing of the uniform."
Chris Del Conte, the TCU athletic director, likes the uniforms and what it represents.
"Nike chose us," he said. "It helps with everything. It helps their image. It helps with recruiting. It helps everything that goes along with it, and it sets the stage for a great game this week. And what better way to roll it out on GameDay? It's awesome. It's a great time to be a frog."
ESPN GameDay will make its first ever appearance on campus. For TCU, that's twice in four weeks since GameDay chose to attend the TCU-BYU game.
"I guess it kind of comes with the winning," said Andy Dalton, a quarterback on the team. "It's going to be cool to turn on the TV in the morning, and see a place where you've been and it's your home. This is a big game for the Frogs, the program, the school, the whole Fort Worth community."
"Just that it's actually here and it's actually on you is just mind boggling," said Jerry Hughes, defensive end. "It blows you away."
With GameDay in town or not, TCU is looking to steal the show.
E-mail griba@wfaa.com
