Jayhawks to wear Retro ’70s uniforms Saturday vs. West Virginia

By Matt Tait Feb 15, 2019

Darnell Valentine, right, fires a pass in this file photo. Valentine, the fifth-leading assist man in Kansas basketball history, will have his jersey retired in a ceremony at halftime of today's game between KU and Georgia Tech.

So it seems like Kansas assistant Jerrance Howard was the first to unofficially break the news about KU’s newest throwback uniform day. Because why wouldn’t he be?

Howard will be the first to tell you that he has the best style of anyone on the team and his shoe collection and fancy game day attire has been talked about in various circles around here for years.

But for this next game — 3 p.m. Saturday vs. West Virginia at Allen Fieldhouse — KU will be throwing it back to a time before Howard was even born.

It’s a step back into the 1970s this weekend, with the 2018-19 Jayhawks wearing a classic and clean look that names like Bud Stallworth, Darnell Valentine, Donnie Von Moore, Roger Morningstar and dozens of other Jayhawks will remember fondly from their playing days.

KU unleashed a first glimpse of the retro uniforms on its Twitter feed earlier today and Howard began sharing his excitement over the new white threads Thursday night.

Former Kansas University standout Bud Stallworth (15) is seen during his playing days. Stallworth, who played for the Jayhawks in 1970-72, will have his jersey raised to the rafters during halftime of tonight's KU-Missouri game at Allen Fieldhouse.

Saturday’s game will mark the second home game in a row that features the Jayhawks in alternate uniforms, as KU wore the Harlem Renaissance inspired gear during last weekend’s win over Oklahoma State in honor of Black History Month.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming tomorrow followed by a few flashbacks (in black and white images, sadly) of some of those 1970s uniforms wore by the Jayhawks of the past.

????????????????????????????????????????. Paying tribute to a different era with our @adidasHoops Retro 70s unis tomorrow vs. West Virginia #KUbball ???????????? pic.twitter.com/Uh4Cqo230U

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) February 15, 2019

Darnell Valentine (1978-81)
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The 1973-1974 Kansas basketball team. Front row, from left: Paul Werner, Reuben Shelton, Dave Taynor, Nino Samuel, Jack Hollis, Bob Emery, Tommie Smith, Tom Kivisto and Dale Greenlee. Back row, from left: Dean Nesmith (trainer), Ted Owens (head coach), Roger Morningstar, Donnie Von Moore, Rick Suttle, Danny Knight, Norm Cook, Dale Haverman, Duncan Reid (assistant) and Sam Miranda (assistant). In front: Chuck Purdy (manager).

Bud Stallworth (1970-72)
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The 1973-74 Team Photo
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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.