EMORY, Va. - Tyequis Stallins has had no problem finding the goal on the soccer field this season at Emory & Henry College. When the senior from Chesapeake, Virginia got the call from Head Coach Robert Richardson to take a shot at designing a team uniform in the spring of 2018, he was ready.
Stallins is an art major, but he says very little of his academic work has been seen. Richardson knew that Stallins wanted to be a graphic designer, so he tasked him with creating something unique.
"I thought that this would be something that was not only great for our team, but it would also be something impressive for Tyequis to put in his professional resume," said Richardson.
In terms of design, Stallins wanted something simple, but elegant, that related to the wasp insect.
"As I studied other jerseys, I really started to like the more asymmetric look," said Stallins. "I really liked the idea of having a honeycomb pattern down the chest, but also that same pattern on the opposite sleeve."
Stallins is still learning how to work with digital design, so for this first round of uniform creation, he had to draw each uniform option by hand on paper.
"I drew about four or five options, but the one we chose stood out the most to me," added Stallins.
The final uniform is primarily navy blue, and contains a white honeycomb pattern on the right half of the chest and left shoulder. The player numbers are old gold.
"It's really exciting, it's the first thing I've ever designed," said Stallins. "Just getting to hold it was surreal."
Stallins, who was named to the All-ODAC Third Team in both 2015 and 2016, said the reaction from his teammates was positive.
The uniforms will be used throughout the season, and in fact, Stallins has been tasked with creating another jersey to be used either later this season or next.
Stallins was named the ODAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week on September 17 for the second time in his career. He is also a two-time All-ODAC Third Team selection.
Emory & Henry will be back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Ferrum College at 7:30 p.m. The match will be the second of a doubleheader with the Wasps' and Panthers' facing off at 5:00 p.m.
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