Matt Jones ‘17
The letterman jacket is a staple of what it means to be a varsity athlete and is the core image of school pride. Lately, however, The Eye has made a shocking discovery: No one seems to wear letterman jackets anymore. Many students do not even buy them. What has caused the rapid decline of this once popular badge of athletic achievement?
Luke Wagner ‘16 explains that trends of style come and go, especially in private schools: “Back in the day they used to be very popular, but it seems like they lost their way with private school kids. I never really see Ed’s kids wearing them either.” Luke suggests that the decline of the letterman jacket at Saint Ignatius is a matter of fashion trends among high schoolers.
Varsity basketball player Devon Stover ‘16 owns a letterman jacket, but he does not wear it to school. “I think people wear them to show that they are happy where they go to school and to show what they’ve accomplished,” says Stover. Devon brings up a reason why students wear jackets, but why are the students who wear them such a small minority of the student body?
Jack Cook ‘16 says that the alternatives to letterman jackets contribute to their unpopularity. Although Jack is not a fashion expert, he asserts that the team gear that is issued to all athletes matches better with the types of clothes worn by high school students: “I believe that it (style/fashion) has changed and students have gravitated toward the team-issued jackets and gear. They seem to look good with a uniform or casual clothes.” Additionally, Jack goes on to mention that he does not even own a jacket because “the sports teams have good jackets, pullovers, and quarter zips.” Coach Rowell ‘11 of the soccer cats affirms Jack’s testament: “I would argue that letterman jackets are pretty cool, but style has caused their decline. Style is not what it used to be. What it is now is the Nike quarter zips. You don’t want that bulky jacket.”
Although students don’t wear their letterman jackets at the moment, they have a positive view on their meaning. Michael Fazioli ‘17 pledges to buy and wear his letterman jacket: “In a school that doesn’t necessarily promote individuality, for example, facial hair, long hair, dress code, the letterman jacket shows what you have done and accomplished. It can offer a sense of uniqueness in a homogeneous student body.” Trends come and go in the realm of Catholic high schools. Although the letterman jacket is currently obsolete because of changing fashion trends, students speculate that they will make a comeback eventually. Is this distinguished symbol of athletic achievement dead, or taking a hiatus from the always evolving trends of the hallways of Saint Ignatius High School? Only time will tell.
