Mississippi State University officials are apologizing after people decoded a hidden slam against rival Ole Miss on shirts worn by the school’s baseball team.
The exotic uniforms, manufactured by Adidas, read “Viva Stark Vegas” on the front in imitation of the famous Las Vegas sign, and also had dot lettering that spelled out phrases like “Left Field Lounge” and “Hail State.”
But the shirts were turned upside down, a different message could be discovered: “F**K THE SCHOOL UP NORTH.”
The official university-approved baseball team shirt says “F–K THE SCHOOL UP NORTH” #CLANGA pic.twitter.com/Kp7CbhQIiE
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) April 16, 2015
“The school up north” is a common label applied to Ole Miss by Mississippi State students and alumni who refuse to say the school’s name. Of the shirts, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin tweeted the following:
(2/3) … This is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the standards and values of Mississippi State University or its athletic dept …
— Scott Stricklin (@stricklinMSU) April 16, 2015
Adidas has apologized as well for allowing the shirts to slip through. It’s not clear just how the slight against Ole Miss made it onto the shirt.
This report, by Blake Neff, was cross-posted by arrangement with the Daily Caller News Foundation.