Origin of "Letterman Jacket" The tradition began at Harvard University in 1865 when the baseball team started sewing a large, bold "H" onto their thick wool sweaters to honor star players. These garments became known as "letterman sweaters" because of the letter patch on the chest. Symbol of Achievement: Initially, only top-performing players were allowed to keep the sweater; those who didn't play much had to return them at the end of the season. This made the letter a coveted symbol of status and accomplishment. Evolution in Design: As the tradition spread to other schools, the design evolved. By the 1930s, the wool sweaters were replaced by the more durable combination of a wool body and leather sleeves, creating the modern jacket style

The term "varsity jacket" came into use as the tradition expanded beyond just individual "lettermen" and became popular across various high school and college sports. "Varsity" Meaning: The term "varsity" is an abbreviation of "university" and refers to the principal team representing the institution in the highest level of athletic competition. Broader Application: The shift in terminology reflected the broader application of the jacket, which came to embody general athletic achievement and school pride within educational institutions, rather than just the specific letter. Today, the terms "varsity jacket" and "letterman jacket" are used interchangeably to refer to the same iconic style of jacket