Jersey Friday (Northwestern University)
Jersey Friday is a weekly tradition started by students at Northwestern University's medical campus in downtown Chicago. The exact date of the first Jersey Friday is hotly contested, but the general consensus is that it lies between 2000 and 2005. Many Northwestern students, particularly at graduate campuses, use the tradition as an act of protest against professional dress codes enforced their respective programs, but others argue that the donning of jerseys represents an expression of individuality.
Instead of the typical attire of dress shirts and khakis, Jersey Friday participants wear sports jerseys to Friday classes. Die-hard "Jersey Fri-ders," as participants like to refer to themselves, strictly limit attire to NBA jerseys. Though looked down upon, soccer and NFL jerseys have also been seen on Jersey Fridays. On the medical campus, past participants have numbered between 15-25% of the student body, a significant population considering the fact that participants are largely male.
Recent Controversy
In late 2006, a prominent Jersey Friday organizer began substituting an international basketball jersey for the usual NBA jersey. This created a rift among Jersey Friday followers, dividing conservatives who argued for the observance of the traditional NBA jersey and liberals who called for A New Age of looser jersey standards. The fallout from this controversy lasted the 2006-2007 school year, damaging the unity forged from past seasons.
2007-2008 Season
The current season has begun with a renewed vigor. With the impending start of the 2007-2008 Fantasy Basketball season looming on the horizon, Jersey Friday observance has been at an all-time high. Some organizers has even proposed adding matching NBA basketball shorts to the common Jersey Friday attire.
Another idea has been the establishment of a Jersey Friday Tailgate (JFT), to be held in a nearby parking lot on Friday mornings before class. With the purpose of increasing morale and strengthening participant cohesion, the JFT activities would include a JFT Fashion Show and JFT Pledge of Allegiance. Grilled burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers will be provided, along with copious amounts of freshly brewed coffee.