Published: November 19, 1997
Section: VARIETY
Page#: 01E
Courting style
By Darlene Pfister; Staff Writer   

Jay Pivec knows teamwork. The three-time national community college men's basketball coach of the year was quick to mastermind a winning combination of talents after Minneapolis Community College and Minneapolis Technical College merged last year.

But while the Minneapolis Community College team Pivec coached was first-rate, (the team finished sixth in its division in the National Junior College Athletic Association two years running), its uniforms were decidedly second-rate.

"You'd laugh if you saw them," said Pivec of the $20 uniforms. "Just stark maroon, stark white. Very uncreative."

So when he met Penny Greene-Draves, the head of apparel design for the Technical College, at a post-merger session last year, they quickly developed a strategy that made everyone a winner. Under the direction of instructor Kimberly Wick, students in the apparel design and services program received credit and job experience for designing and producing new uniforms for the team.

On Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Marauders will hit their home court attired in their striking new custom-made creations. The new uniforms are still white and maroon, but multicolor stripes trim the v-neck and waistband. Contrasting side panels add style and comfort.

"The product is absolutely unbelievable," said Pivec. "We're probably the only college in the nation that has designed their own uniforms."

His players share the enthusiasm.

"They're real nice, real nice," said sophomore point guard Benjamin Claassen. "They match our shoes and everything."

"I think I can average about 20 [points per game] in these," said forward Thomas Blunt, proudly patting his No. 32 jersey.

"You look better, you play better," promised Kenton Fisher, also a sophomore forward.

Design to completion

The project began with a design contest last fall. Pivec picked the winning design. Then product development and apparel manufacturing classes took over. During two consecutive 12-week courses, students made patterns and produced samples. They developed a seven-page analysis that included explanations of all the steps, down to the number of stitches per inch and needle type. Donations were solicited for materials. And finally, the uniforms were put together.

Two weeks before the first game, students were still feverishly sewing and ripping, ripping and sewing. The jerseys had gone together easily, but the shorts posed problems. Fronts and backs were confused easily, and the slippery fabric caused endless frustrations.

But the 15 students good-naturedly kept on, even though most confessed that they'd never attended a Marauders game. But after all the work, said Judy-Ann Johnson, she intended to see one.

"It's going to be great to see someone using them," added Patsy Okoloie as she attached trim.

Nicole Hoekstra, struggling with a crooked seam, was somewhat less upbeat. "I want them to personally thank us," she grumbled goodnaturedly.

The team will come through on that request today when the basketball players present the apparel students with team T-shirts at a thank-you celebration.

"We really consider them part of the team," said Pivec. "You work next to people for six years, and I didn't know we even had a textile design department on site. I certainly didn't know they were such wonderful people."

The successful project, said Pivec, has created lots of talk on campus about what can happen when you work together.

The apparel students finished their winning season with the debut of the uniforms. The basketball team intends to continue the winning tradition.

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