How did I do this?

Great start. Perfect layout for your multiple photo design. I like the use of strong shadowing on your photos.  And that’s a great font for a collegiate theme.  However, I find your background distracting - too dark, too busy. It takes your eye away from the photos.  Because you will have so many photos, the background should not be the focus of your design. 

The comments about the photos 'facing' inwards or each other - is an excellent one.  I am with Lillias - when I see a photo facing the edge, it draws my eye off the page.

Stroking your photos has been suggested as an option.  With as many photos as you will have on your project, you will probably not want to use a broad stroke as I have used, but I provide this example so you can see how stroking would look to separate photos and how a plainer background can shift your attention from the background to the photos.  A slight shadow has been added to the photos.  And, as you can see, the animals are looking towards the center - not off the page.  

Photos by cats4jan

Hate to say this but if it was mine I'd want people's honest opinion. I still don't think the background quite works....it seems to have a purple tint to it now. Of the three work-ups you shared I think the background of the first one is your best.
I'm wondering if you might want to try adding a little blur to it.....or even try using a blue/white gradient. I would suggest using a blue from their uniform. Janice and Lillias do a lot of scrapping they might have a better suggestion. I think you've
really got the hard part done and you've captured some great action shots!

Changes made.  Literally the first time I've used the gradient tool.  Proud of myself.

When I compare Lillias’s dark title to your light title, I favor the dark title.

Realize that so much of this is subjective and personal preference, so obviously go with what you like best, but it’s good to see both examples to judge what appeals to you personally. The fun part of the creation process is experimenting, so it’s great to see examples to give you ideas.

I’m still not loving the background color.  Maybe, that’s because I favor neutrals.  I’d probably pick up a beige tone from one of the photographs. No gradient - just some texture.  

Are we driving you nuts, yet?  This may be a case of “too many cooks”. LOL

I can’t tell, but are those the players’ names on their photos? If so, that is an excellent addition. Remember, you are doing this for a keepsake, so adding the names is helpful and actually necessary in my view.

If these photos are from a photographer and you are going to be handing these out to the team, it’s probably best you put the photographer’s name in small script at the bottom corner. Attrition is always an issue with professional photographers. If the photographs came from various parents, attrition isn’t necessary. 

I can’t imagine a nicer gift for the team than your collage. What a great momento.  I assume this is a standard frame size - so ready-made frames are available? The kids may like to frame this and display it in their rooms.

To follow up on Lillias’s comment - it skews purple on my screen, too. If you want to change the blue, I suggest using the color picker and clicking on a part of the uniform. That will give a true match to the uniforms. You can continue clicking on various parts of the photo until you find a color you like.

And I just realized these are photos of adults - so I'm not sure how many would want a copy in their bedrooms.  Somehow I was thinking Little League.  DUH  LOL

So many ways one can go -

That’s what I like so much about this hobby - trying different looks until that moment when one says “that’s it”