Nike Twill jersey vital to greatness

IU athletics are currently fighting to get back on the right track to high prestige.\nWith the importing of coaches Terry Hoeppner, Kelvin Sampson and Felisha Legette-Jack, Hoosier sports appear to be headed in the right direction. \nBut there is one thing still missing. One characteristic of the greats that IU is currently without, that IU fans are reaching for and have thus far been left wanting. It isn't some new 7-foot recruit, or a coach of international prestige.\nNo, it's something much more vital. Something no true quality team can do without -- something so important to a fan base that we would gladly end talks of a student section to obtain it.\nSomething ... woven.\nThe main element that IU is missing that would place it back among the elite is the sale of Nike Twill Jerseys to its fans. "What is a Nike Twill Jersey?" you might ask. Well, if you venture onto the Big Ten Web site and go to the conference store, you'll find five universities that can show you.\nIU is not one of them. \nBut, for lack of visuals, let me explain. The Nike Twill Jersey is a wonderfully manufactured product that has the numbers sewn twill style onto the front. Quite simply, they are new-age, hip and key to victory.\nWhat evidence is there to back up such a claim? Other than the unsubstantiated rumors that Ohio State's star center Greg Oden decided on the Columbus school because he was mesmerized by fans donning the Nike apparel, the legacy of the schools that have Nike Twill Jerseys on the Web site is quite impressive.\nOhio State, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa all have Nike Twill Jerseys available for purchase. They are no doubt some of the most storied athletics programs in the nation. National and Big Ten tournament championships abound at each institution in a variety of sports. It's as if they have qualified as worthy of the Nike gear and that the Nike gear gives them superpowers the world has not seen since Dream Team basketball (the Second Coming of which will also have Nike Twill Jerseys available to fans). Surely IU's achievements place it in the realm worthy to wear such apparel. \nAdidas has been good to us. But our relationship with Adidas has become similar to those with old high-school friends: It's still great to see them every once and a while, smile with them and become nostalgic about victories past. But deep down, we know we'd rather be with the new people we have met in our lives.\nThe Nike Twill Jersey is just that for IU athletics.\nOpposing twill is not in the best interest of the school. Whether it is out of worry for the possible loss of University tradition, abhorrence of Nike's corporate practices or sheer love and compassion for Adidas, all arguments against the sale of this apparel as an IU product pales in comparison to the benefit it will have on our teams.\nEmbrace the Nike Twill Jersey, for it screams of both fashion and greatness.