Sports uniforms have always amazed me.
I play women's lacrosse, where the athletes are traditionally required to wear short skirts as part of their uniforms.
Originally, the so-called kilts were thick woolen plaid monstrosities. Now, as the ASU team and all of the visiting teams at this weekend's Cactus Classic tournament will model, the kilts are tight spandex miniskirts, often made by Under Armour.
Being that I play goalie, I've always opted out of the skirts rule in favor of basketball shorts. I feel that I can perform in them better, because I've always practiced in them, and I generally feel more comfortable in them.
Also, going down for a low corner shot in a skirt isn't what anyone would call a flattering picture.
So, while I respect the desire to honor tradition in women's lacrosse by continuing to play in kilts, I have to wonder how many sports favor the appearance of uniforms in lieu of the simple ability to play in them?
I suppose that part of my recent serious pondering on this question stems from the fact that I'm assigned to women's gymnastics coverage for the semester.
I've grown to adore the sport, but those uniforms tend to leave little to the imagination.
Tight, sequin and rhinestone encrusted, shiny spandex leotards, with long sleeves and extremely high leg holes.
Not even jokingly, I sit on the floor and spend two hours every other Friday night feeling really, really awkward.
The leotards, I can imagine, are part showmanship and part in design to show off the athletes' perfectly toned muscles.
I can respect this, but it makes me feel no less queasy as I watch the twentieth visiting gymnast of the night dig her wedgie out in front of me and the other spectators.
Having visited the Sun Devil gymnasts' practice just about every week this semester, I know the girls usually prefer to work out in sports bras or tank tops and spandex shorts.
It's comfort and playability all in one.
And basketball also comes to mind, as back in the seventies and eighties, the men and women on the courts were dressed in small tank tops and seemingly even shorter shorts.
Now, looking at both of ASU's teams, the shorts reach to at least the knees, and the sporty tank tops are nearly as long.
Both the shorts and the tops appear to be obscenely oversized, such much so that undershirts can be seen beneath the tanks in photos taken at the game.
I don't personally know how easy or difficult it would be to play in either, and I'm positive that today's players find it more comfortable - both mentally and physically - to play in the loose shorts and shirts provided for this era of basketball players, as opposed to those of their parents'.
But comfort can't be all of it.
Thinking back to lacrosse again, we would all wear the same shirts, kilts, similarly colored basketball shorts for the goalies, warm up suits, and even goggles.
Some teams go as far as to the sport the same hairstyle, sock length and color, and stick set up.
It makes those teams look fierce.
Playing record aside, everyone steps out on the field, floor or mat nervous for the impending game. And when the girls with the opposing jerseys look like a single moving unit that could tear your team apart, you have to talk yourself out of believing it.
I guess I don't have a whole lot of beef with uniforms. It's mostly the psychological aspect amazes me.
The idea that a simple uniform can make another team feel inferior for just a second is astounding.
I suppose I would just prefer the spandex shorts to the revealing uniforms at gym meets to save myself from feeling obscenely awkward.
But then my boyfriend would probably disagree.
Reach the reporter at: brittany.mccall@asu.edu.
