Sporting Colours - Definition and Overview

Sporting Colours, more often known merely as colours, house-colours &c., are awards of a colour to a member of a University or School (or sub division of - class, house, faculty, club) who has excelled in a sport. Colours are traditionally worn in or on scarves, ties, blazers, gowns or other items of apparel such as cuff-links or badges. The award system gives rise to phrases such as an Oxford Blue - a person who was awarded a Blue by the University of Oxford.

In some award schemes, it is possible to be awarded a half colour, such as a Half-Blue. Typically a single institution will award only one colour - Oxford awards are Blue - but different institutions will award different colours -Trinity College Dublin's awards are Pink.

American Universities tend to award a Varsity letter rather than a colour.

See Also

• Varsity letter

External Link

• Rules governing the award of a Pink at Trinity College Dublin - Caution: Word document (http://www.tcd.ie/Clubs/Boat/private/pinks.doc)