FIU football’s white ‘Vice U’ uniform set to make debut Tuesday vs. Sam Houston State

Call them “Vice U.”

On Oct. 1, four FIU football players -- quarterback Keyone Jenkins, wide receiver Dean Patterson, linebacker Eddie Walls III and nickel back Jamal Potts – donned their fresh “Miami Vice” uniforms and drove to the docks off of Biscayne Bay, where a $1.5-million yacht awaited.

No, didn’t earn a huge wad of cash as part of an NIL deal.

Instead, this was all for a photo shoot as the FIU Panthers are set to debut those same white Miami Vice uniforms – with pink and blue accents -- that Jenkins and his teammates wore earlier this month on that 42-foot Cigarette Aurora yacht.

The uniforms, produced by adidas, also have an image of palm-tree leaves on the sleeves and the likeness of a boat on the back collar.

FIU’s new uniform will be on full display when the Panthers play host to Sam Houston State on Tuesday Oct. 22. The game will be broadcast by ESPNU, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

FIU’s connection with Miami Vice is fitting since this is the 40 ^th anniversary of the TV show’s debut in 1984.

“Our brand is ‘Vice U,’” said Hunter DuBois, who is an FIU social media specialist. “We want to own that whole scene.

“This is just the beginning. We’ve already done uniforms for our women’s soccer team, and our vision is that all our teams will have ‘Vice U’ uniforms.”

DuBois, who produced “Vice U” videos along with fellow FIU social medial specialist Antwan Robinson, said this campaign started in 2022, FIU’s first football season under coach Mike MacIntyre.

That first year, FIU had a “305” helmet decal in Miami Vice colors and a similar field design.

“It went viral,” DuBois said. “That’s when we knew we had to double down.”

FIU’s second year as Vice U was even better. FIU introduced a vice-themed black uniform. The uniform was unveiled – in video form -- by Patterson, who exited a light blue Lamborghini wearing the new jersey and pants.

That Lamborghini and also a Rolls-Royce were on FIU’s home field last year as the Panthers lost 27-14 to Texas-El Paso.

Sports Illustrated rated FIU’s Vice look as the best uniform in college football.

FIU safety JoJo Evans, who missed last season as a redshirt player, said he can’t wait to wear the Vice U white uniform on Tuesday.

“Last year, when I couldn’t wear the black ‘Vice U’ uniform, I was a little jealous,” Evans said. “This year, with the white uniform, I’m ready for it.”

Indeed, now that we’re in the third year of the Vice U campaign, DuBois said he knew he to go “bigger and bolder.”

The only way to top the blue Lamborghini, DuBois thought, was a million-dollar-plus cigarette boat.

So, DuBois went on Boat Trader and called about 40 phone numbers. Finally, he made a connection that led to Florida Yachts International allowing FIU to do the photo shoot in exchange for a promotional collaboration.

“Our players were stoked,” DuBois said of the boat ride and the new uniforms. “You could see it on their faces.”

The photos that day were taken by Amber Hixson. The uniforms were designed by several FIU employees: assistant athletic director for football operations Ryan Webb; graphic designer Jacob LaRue; social media specialist Christian Almanza; and special teams analyst Brandon Buchner.

While FIU’s football team has a losing record at 2-5, the marketing and philanthropy departments have been doing impressive work.

The latter department forged a stadium naming-rights deal with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull that will net FIU a minimum of $6 million over the next five years.

Meanwhile, the marketing team is involved in some creative ideas, including having FIU’s football team wearing a different uniform combination for all 12 games. There’s the traditional uniform, the Vice look and also FIU’s “Biscayne Bay” light blue jersey and pants.

In addition, DuBois said FIU is the only NCAA program that does a different field design for every home game.

“Things like this don’t usually happen at mid-major schools,” DuBois said. “Ever since (FIU athletic director) Scott Carr arrived (on Dec. 1, 2021), a lot of special things have happened.

“He legitimized us.”