Northern Iowa Panthers Script HoodieAs schools often did, UNI opened up a naming contest to find a more suitable nickname for their sports teams in 1931, since Iowa Teachers didnt quite have the right ring to it. Burl Berry, the football teams center, came up with Purple Panthers, which won the contest. Over 50 years later, the Panthers wore this script on their baseball uniforms clearly, the nickname has stood the test of time. Products are mocked up on a size S. Graphics may appear