Does\did equipment sponsorship play a part in recruiting

It could.If a kid has always swung Easton and the teams that have expressed an interest are all swinging Demarini, then it could make a difference. Especially, if he has never liked the feel of a Demarini. 

Of course, Oregon has set the trend nationwide with their multiple uniforms in college football.

No.  No effect at all.

I don't understand why it would either.  You're picking a college, for crying out loud, not a brand of shoes or bat or glove.

What does the university offer that fits my son?  What are the potential majors?  Where is it?  How much will it cost our family?  Does the coaching staff have a good record with academics?  Do players graduate?  Do they graduate in majors of their interest or 'easy' majors that fill a statistical box?  Does the coaching staff have a good reputation for 'coaching?' Do they develop players?  What do guys who have played for them already have to say?

These are all far more more important questions related to your son's happiness and development as a person than what brand do they wear.

No, wasn't even an consideration.  He was in heaven just to know that he might be getting free gear.  I think once a player sees how competitive it is to get a spot on a roster, the brand a team is using is last thing on their mind.

However, I do have to admit when Clemson showed him their uniform room it was pretty impressive  

To reinforce here, when you consider all of the really meaningful reasons to choose one program/school over another, the equipment brand pales in comparison.

Recognizing that college recruitment is as much about a program's need for certain positions/types in a given year, why would you limit your choices based upon something as superficial as that?

By the way, check out the teams that make it to Omaha this year, and you'll see a variety of manufacturers represented. They'd each like you to think that their equipment is the be-all, end-all; but, the diversity of vendors used by the top teams belies that. It's the quality of players on the roster; not the label on their shoes.

It was by no means a deciding factor for my kid. Different offers from schools that all used different equipment... but I will say that kids (mine included) do take notice what brand equipment, especially bats, a school uses.

I found that schools do in fact use equipment as a selling point.

What about team name/mascot, availability of a jersey number, or field dimensions?All types of things could play a part in a decision.

Girls...

That would be a high-priority on many college player's lists...

I would imagine...

That's why my son has said he'll never be interested in the Campbell University "Fighting" Camels. 

Of course it matters to a teenager.  The University of Oregon football program doesn't change their uniforms every game because the washing machine is broken.  It's all about marketing to teenagers.  It's about drawing in as many recruits as you can, so you, the university/coaching staff, have a pick of options.  I've heard that USC's new athletic building includes a conference room that displays all the uniform and equipment available to players.  The primary purpose of the room is to meet with recruits.  

Maturity is a spectacular thing.  It's great to get beyond early 20's and have more and more of your decisions based on rationality; but kids/teens like shiny things.  Watching a game on TV with your son and having him express a definitive opinion on one team or another based on the gear is perfectly normal.  I have no doubt that if the context changed - ie. he was actually signing a LOI - he would have a more substantial reason for his/your decision.   

I've heard that Derrick Rose did not go to Illinois simply because the Fighting Illini wears Nike and he (or his agents I mean AAU coaches) wanted adidas. Honestly, I would be concerned if the brand is the deal-breaker for an athlete. To me it sounds like the education isn't the priority; they think they're going pro anyway..

I can see a young teen thinking that way.  And I do think that all programs (especially the big ones) do use this factor in recruiting.

But it  would be your job (as the parent) to point out other things that are more important  when the time comes in making that decision.

For now though, he should concentrate on working hard in the classroom and on the field so that he can have an opportunity to make those decisions in 3+ years from now.

FYI, I do not believe that every program gives gloves (fielding) to their players, those are given to pitchers, some with their names stitched on, more  to show endorsements when a game on TV.  Mine had a glove he had to wear specifically for televised games.  Coaches get paid and get paid well for giving the opportunity for a companies product to be associated with their program, it is big business.

JD,

Funny that you mentioned that, when my son was being recruited he loved the Clemson Tiger Paw but not the colors. No way was he going to where purple and orange.  Let alone white long pants.

Surprise!

On my oldest son's first recruiting trip, he went in the locker room and they had a locker open with a display of all 4 uniforms that they use. Several times during the day  I heard him mention-"wow, 4 unis!"

Oregon and Nike aren't stupid, they're attracting teenagers. Maryland, with Under Armour, is trying the same thing but they haven't learned that most combinations of their colors and the state seal end up looking like a bleeding crash dummy. And wearing 2 different shoes last week in the ACC tournament?  Somebody at UA needs some serious work......