Every team has its signature leo look—whether it’s classic school colors, bold sparkles, or that one sleeve design they just can’t quit. But what if teams ditched the usual and went all-in on a theme that truly captures their state, campus, or hometown vibe? We’re talking full commitment to the weird, wonderful, and wildly specific things that make each place unique. Because honestly, who wouldn’t want to see a leo inspired by a famous roadside attraction or a town’s oddly specific claim to fame? Here are the leo themes we think teams should embrace—whether or not the design would get the coach’s final approval.
Ithaca
The Ithaca College campus has two landmarks I’d love to see featured on a leotard–one a little easier to execute than the other and both of which lean obscure. I’d love to see a nod to the Dillingham Fountains on a leo, but more importantly, I’d love a leo with the Textor Hall Fish. Many call it the Disc, but it’s a fish and I will not hear otherwise. I won’t rest until I see a nod to my dear Textor Hall Fish on a leo.
Brockport
The village of Brockport sits on the Erie Canal, and over that canal sits the (locally) iconic Main Street Lift Bridge. A classic sight, it’s a landmark that’s deserving of a place on a Brockport leo. If not, I’d love to see the Golden Eagles lean into their mascot with an emerald green velvet leo adorned with a feather pattern along the arms. Too much? I say not enough.
New Hampshire
Did you know that the state of New Hampshire is home to the first recorded alien abduction back in 1961? The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the AA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, lean into this history by rebranding as the Space Potatoes for a few games a year. The potato is the state vegetable, but I’d more than forgive UNH for skipping that part and opting for UFOs and Wildcats on some leos, or at least a meet with a nod to the alien visit.
Utica
The city of Utica is home to a handful of notable foods: chicken riggies, half-moon cookies (black-and-white cookies to the rest of you), as well as Utica greens. I think Utica could absolutely pull off a food leo if done carefully—well, except for the greens. An orange leo with rigatoni shapes sprawled across the body like a belt or a sash. The half-moon cookies don’t need to be exact, but think of an astronomy-inspired leo. If nothing else, Utica doesn’t shy away from color or design, and the time is now for a full-on moose mascot leo. The body of the leo as the moose head, the arms as the antlers.
Florida
I have followed Florida gymnastics since the rise of ShanFan, and if you did too, then this is your reminder to use your retinol tonight. In my opinion, the Gators have come so close to leaning into the “if you’re not a gator, then you’re gator bait” side of things just to shy away at the last moment. They came close in 2013 and again this past season, but I want a leo with gator teeth down the sleeves (more prominent than the recent attempt. I want a black leo with orange gator teeth. More orange, Florida, more orange. You are the orange state with a gator for a mascot, let’s lean into this. But no capped sleeves, thanks.
Iowa
I know, dear Iowa, that you are the Hawkeyes, but the world cannot possibly keep waiting in so much suspense for a leotard that is nothing but corn. A sleek holographic black for the base, think of corn shapes with rhinestones, either black for a subtle wink or a gold rhinestone pattern for one that isn’t a wink but a full-on grin.
Springfield
I’ll kick things off for Springfield by saying I don’t think the Pride has missed when it comes to a leo. They are classic and timeless in an era when teams with deep pockets debut new leotards every other meet. But the time is now for the Pride to think outside of the box. As the home of basketball, how has Springfield not unveiled a nod to this?! It doesn’t need to be orange, but think of the geometric patterns on a basketball court that could be incorporated into a design. Still classic, but very Springfield.
Kentucky
No fancy hats required for this leo (although it sure would make for a great stick prop), it’s time for the University of Kentucky to lean into the Kentucky Derby. Although they are the Wildcats, a horse or two racing across a leo would highlight one of the things that state is most widely known for. And if the design did want to lean into the hats? Then a leo with wild patterns of bows and feathers and lace would do the job.
Yale
I have a confession to make: Prior to September 2025, I had never watched Gilmore Girls, and now that I have, I must have a leo with a nod to the show. Perhaps a soft, starry pattern to reference Stars Hollow, books strewn up the sleeves and down one side, or a leo with snowflakes because, well, it’s New England and New Englanders can feel (and smell) that first snow in their bones.
West Virginia
How West Virginia hasn’t captured the feeling and emotions of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a mystery to me. It doesn’t need to be literal; the leo should be poetic. On the bottom of the left sleeve, a bracelet of mountains, and a treasure map style line of stitching or design up the sleeves, across the back of the shoulders, and down the right arm to blue sparkles symbolizing a river. Or, something a little less out there, the Blue Ridge Mountains on the back of the leo, not unlike a Utah design we’ve seen.
Temple
If Notre Dame had a gymnastics program, I’d be here today pitching a leotard with a nod to Rudy, but it doesn’t, so Temple will need to do the heavy lifting here and have one with an ode to Rocky (hat tip to Julianna Roland, a CGN editor and former Temple gymnast, for this inspiration). The steps probably wouldn’t translate well, but an Owl overlaid on top of a set of boxing gloves would be a pretty sweet and fierce-looking leo.
Georgia
We all know Georgia is the Peach State, and while I’d love to see the Bulldogs lean into that, what I want even more is a lobster. Why a lobster? Our Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth enlightened me that Georgia is home to the Athens Rock Lobsters hockey team, the name an ode to the B-52s. As a mecca for music, it’s a disservice that the GymDogs haven’t given a nod to those roots, and the place to start is absolutely with the Rock Lobsters. Imagine a B-52s-themed meet? I’m there.
Rutgers
Gym, tan, laundry. How does one turn the iconic and oh-so-memorable TV show “Jersey Shore” into a leo? Well, perhaps the “Scarlet Knights” on the back of the leo in the style of the show’s logo inside of a rectangle. Jersey Shore might not hit home for many, or perhaps the editors are aging themselves, so perhaps a ferris wheel as a way to honor Atlantic City, or the outline of The Boss swinging his arm with a guitar. Nothing is more Jersey than Springsteen.
UCLA
I will not stop asking for a Bruins leo with UCLA on the back in the same style as the Hollywood sign. How we haven’t had this for a leo, I don’t know. But this is Hollywood, this is Los Angeles, how has UCLA not given the people a star-studded, over-the-top leo for us to fall head over heels in love with? If there ever was a program that’s unafraid of a leo design, it’s UCLA, and I’m confident it could deliver this simple design with signature UCLA style.
READ THIS NEXT: CGN Roundtable: Our GOAT Leotards
Article by Allison Freeman
As a resident of Louisville, KY, I can shed some light on why Kentucky has never done a Derby Leo! The Derby is held in Louisville, not Lexington, and there is a HUGE rivalry between University of Louisville and University of Kentucky (which is in Lexington). Basically residents of Louisville are UofL fans, and the rest of the state are UK fans So even though the Derby is held in the same state, I feel like it would be viewed as treasonous for a UK team to wear something so heavily associated with Louisville
I have to admit, the comment about Rutgers literally made be LOL.
This was a fun read, thanks!