With seemingly each football team debuting alternate uniforms these days, Navy and other schools went a different route: New footballs. The premier manufacturer of official FBS college game balls Big Game USA has teamed with Prova Group to release footballs including smart chips that will track them throughout the football's life.
"Gametag is cutting-edge technology that immediately changes the way game balls are authenticated, while also improving quality control of official college footballs we produce," said Chris Calandro, founder of Big Game USA. "We love the idea that the life of our footballs can now be tracked and preserved alongside the history of the game."
Navy won't be the only team to utilize the technology. Gametag footballs will be used in all Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Nebraska and Navy football games. The technology-laced footballs will be first on display in Texas A&M's game against South Carolina on Aug. 28 and will also be featured in Navy's Aug. 30 game against Ohio State.
Complete Story from Navy Athletics
You’ve seen alternate uniforms; introducing alternate footballs! @NAVYequipment @NavyAthletics #biggametag pic.twitter.com/0gqHGpPd2i
— Big Game USA (@BigGameUSA) August 26, 2014
