Early Days and the Simple Blazer (1978-1982):
When UAB football took the field for the first time in 1978, their helmets mirrored the university's logo at the time – a simple navy blue blazer with a single white stripe down the middle. This basic design lacked the distinct character that future iterations would develop.
The Arrival of the Blazer Mascot and the Birth of Tradition (1983-1994):
1983 marked a turning point. The now-iconic Blazer mascot, a cartoon character with a determined expression and a raised fist, was introduced. This coincided with a revamped helmet design featuring a white helmet with a large navy blue stripe running down the center. The Blazer mascot was prominently displayed on both sides of the helmet, marking the beginning of a recognizable visual identity for the UAB Blazers.
A Touch of Green and the Move to a More Complex Design (1995-2005):
In 1995, the helmet design incorporated UAB's secondary color, green. A thin green stripe was added on either side of the navy blue center stripe, along with a green stripe outlining the facemask. This update presented a more visually complex design while retaining the core elements – the white base, the navy blue stripe, and the Blazer mascot.
A Unified UAB Identity and a Shift in Focus (2006-Present):
The year 2006 saw UAB undergo a university-wide branding initiative. This led to a new helmet design that reflected the broader UAB identity. The white base remained, but the focus shifted away from the Blazer mascot. A thicker navy blue stripe took center stage, outlined with a green stripe. The UAB initials were placed on either side of the helmet in a bold, sans-serif font. This streamlined design aimed for a more modern and unified look.