First look: Toledo’s 2010 jersey, updated meeting room at Larimer

The Rockets will look a bit different on their season opener against Arizona on Sept. 3, with Toledo preparing to wear new uniforms for the upcoming 2010-11 season. The Rockets will officially unveil both the home and away uniforms on UT's Media Day on Saturday.

The Independent Collegian has obtained a preview of the upcoming away jersey, which has a much more traditional look than the previous uniform. The features which stand out the most are the collar and sleeves, which each consist of a midnight blue and gold line of color.

"They fit a lot more tight and comfortable and it doesn't hurt that they're more stylish," senior cornerback Desmond Marrow said.

The new uniforms will be made by Under Armour, a change from the Russell Athletic jerseys from last season.

"I think it's something that speaks again about the movement and commitment [of Toledo]," UT head coach Tim Beckman said. "Under Armour being a big factor in college football and us being the only Under Armour school in the Midwest—it speaks volumes to what Under Armor thinks about Toledo. It's a clean look and we are excited about unveiling it."

Beckman played his part in the selection of the upcoming jersey, going over different possibilities before he and a group of others made their choice.

"We studied it and looked at it," Beckman said. "There are certain things you can choose from; it wasn't custom designed or anything like that. We looked at it. It's got a little bit of what Utah has, a little bit of Auburn's look. You had choices from it and we all sat down and determined which one would be the best look for Toledo."

The Rockets have also made some updates to their meeting room with a newly designed and refurbished area. In addition, the room is used for media including postgame press conferences.

"[My first impression] was ‘Wow,'" said Beckman about his newest recruiting tool. "The embroidered name on the [front] of the chairs. It's clean and it's fresh—it's a great learning environment. It's definitely what college football is all about, learning what we can in those rooms so that when we get out there in that Glass Bowl we can play and you can do what you've been taught.

"It shows a commitment to take this program to the top level—to a major college football program. To do that you have to have facilities."

The room also features brand new cushioned chairs, but Beckman isn't concerned about the chairs being too comfortable resulting in a few mid-classroom naps.

"They know me," Beckman said. "I'll have that eraser or pen in my hand and they'll get it winged at [them] if there are any lazy eyes in those meeting rooms."