Uniform/Helmet/Shoe design thread (merged)

[BigOrange15]

Sexy AF.

It looks so much better there than on the mock up pictures.

 

[SkidsisVFL]

Sexy AF.

Before anyone says anything about the "different shades of Orange", the second picture is darker (cloud cover it looks like) than the first.

 

[Boca Vol]

You do know that Converse practically went out of business? Right Buzz? Wanna trade a jawbreaker for a marble?

VOTE FOR IKE!

VOTE FOR IKE!

So what should UT do if they lose out on a few 5*'s because they like Adidas or UA?

The UT brand should be what matters. Not the logo on the unis or shoes.

 

[butchna]

So what should UT do if they lose out on a few 5*'s because they like Adidas or UA?

The UT brand should be what matters. Not the logo on the unis or shoes.

The preferences of the few are outweighed by the needs of the many. Recruits need em some Nike.

Still not sure how letting a markedly superior marketing giant improve our appeal to our recruiting base waters down the UT brand...we were allowing Adidas to take a swing at it. We did ok with them...Nike's better.

 

[Boca Vol]

The preferences of the few are outweighed by the needs of the many. Recruits need em some Nike.

Still not sure how letting a markedly superior marketing giant improve our appeal to our recruiting base waters down the UT brand...we were allowing Adidas to take a swing at it. We did ok with them...Nike's better.

I guess my point is...how important was the apparel brand to:

Johnny Majors
Andy Spiva
Conrad Graham
Doug Atkins
Steve DeLong
Keith DeLong
Richmond Flowers
Jackie Walker
Larry Sievers
Willie Gault
Tim McGee
Eric Still
Carl Pickens
Dale Carter
Leonard Little
Etc., etc., etc.

You see, the Twitters have ruined everything! :thud:

 

[Crew]

I guess my point is...how important was the apparel brand to:

Johnny Majors
Andy Spiva
Conrad Graham
Doug Atkins
Steve DeLong
Keith DeLong
Richmond Flowers
Jackie Walker
Larry Sievers
Willie Gault
Tim McGee
Eric Still
Carl Pickens
Dale Carter
Leonard Little
Etc., etc., etc.

You see, the Twitters have ruined everything! :thud:

Aside from the legacy players, the recruits hardly know any of those names. This is a different era. You can't look at this through the lens as a life long fan.

They don't love the school yet.

 

[Boca Vol]

Aside from the legacy players, the recruits hardly know any of those names. This is a different era. You can't look at this through the lens as a life long fan.

They don't love the school yet.

So why do the coaches sell the history of the program to the recruits?

I get it that the players don't know who most of those players are...so why did Butch feel it was important to put "Gator Bowl" on the ring? The Gator Bowl has been a mid level bowl since before any of the players that got one of these rings can remember...BUT it sounds better than "Taxslayer Bowl."

I understand the value of marketing, but can't let the the recruits/athletes run the program.

 

[onevol74]

So why do the coaches sell the history of the program to the recruits?

I get it that the players don't know who most of those players are...so why did Butch feel it was important to put "Gator Bowl" on the ring? The Gator Bowl has been a mid level bowl since before any of the players that got one of these rings can remember...BUT it sounds better than "Taxslayer Bowl."

I understand the value of marketing, but can't let the the recruits/athletes run the program.

I guess some of us will never understand that the brand of the uniforms is more important than the brand of the program.

 

[Crew]

So why do the coaches sell the history of the program to the recruits?

I get it that the players don't know who most of those players are...so why did Butch feel it was important to put "Gator Bowl" on the ring? The Gator Bowl has been a mid level bowl since before any of the players that got one of these rings can remember...BUT it sounds better than "Taxslayer Bowl."

I understand the value of marketing, but can't let the the recruits/athletes run the program.

The players don't run the program but you have to make them comfortable as possible in their decision to tag along on the rise from mediocrity. Nike is just a part of it.

The nutrition center, the new complexes, jumbotrons ...it's just the cost of doing business now.

 

[discontent523]

The big thing I think we need to remember is that with the switch to nike yes there is a rebranding, but the big difference and appeal to recruits is the upgrade, and better customization in the protective gear while adding greater freedom of movement. New recruits also enjoy the alternate jerseys which I don't believe to be a problem for a game or two a year. Personally I would love to see a chrome helmet with the rifleman logo for the Smokey Grey.

And before I get my head bashed in by the traditionalists, did we destroy tradition when we changed to the power t that we all know and love or when the checkerboard endings where removed for almost twenty years I believe. The UT itself is the tradition, it's the fans, what the men and women that walk those campus grounds go on to do with their lives, the contributions the university and its students make to the world around us, Times change we can change with the times and still pay respect to our history, even the Smokey Grey uniforms pay homage to the old football jerseys off rhe 1910s to 1920s.

 

[Crew]

I guess some of us will never understand that the brand of the uniforms is more important than the brand of the program.

When the program hasn't beaten either of its main rivals since its current players were in elementary, the value may not be what you think it is.

 

[chargervol]

I guess some of us will never understand that the brand of the uniforms is more important than the brand of the program.

I don't believe anyone feels the uniform brand is more important than the university, but if the brand is marketable, makes sense to use it as an added bonus.
Besides, if players win the right to sell their image, I can guarantee that they would rather have a contract with Nike. How many here own a pair of Adidas - other than UT fan related.

As long as our main colors remain the primary and we don't do any truly hideous unis, I don't care if Versace designs everything, I just want to watch football.

 

[White Bread]

I guess my point is...how important was the apparel brand to:

Johnny Majors
Andy Spiva
Conrad Graham
Doug Atkins
Steve DeLong
Keith DeLong
Richmond Flowers
Jackie Walker
Larry Sievers
Willie Gault
Tim McGee
Eric Still
Carl Pickens
Dale Carter
Leonard Little
Etc., etc., etc.

You see, the Twitters have ruined everything! :thud:

Uh none of these guys are around anymore...things change, it's part of life. This isn't your 1960's Vol team. Times change, and you have to change with the times if you want to stay relevant.

How do you know those guys wouldn't have liked to have Nike? They didn't really have the choice back in their day. I guarantee you, you go ask LL, and he'll say Nike.

It's all about recruiting and staying relevant in THEIR eyes, not all kids are going to be drawn to uniforms/apparel, but some will be and you have to appeal to them in that regard.

 

[butchna]

So why do the coaches sell the history of the program to the recruits?

I get it that the players don't know who most of those players are...so why did Butch feel it was important to put "Gator Bowl" on the ring? The Gator Bowl has been a mid level bowl since before any of the players that got one of these rings can remember...BUT it sounds better than "Taxslayer Bowl."

I understand the value of marketing, but can't let the the recruits/athletes run the program.

No...not "run it"... But we want the best players here. It's not that difficult to understand. Back in Johnny Majors day, you give him a pair of Keds with the soles still on them and he'd play his butt off for you. Nowadays you can land that kid who comes home from the Opening loaded down with swoosh adorned gear. But it's easier to get his commitment/signature when he likes what his school's gear looks like. All schools are aligned with someone (no one has State U apparel)...might as well go with the best.

 

[SCOTSVOL62]

Is it safe to assume we are seeing our number font here?

What you are seeing in this picture for sure is the jersey template. It is Nike's latest and greatest the Mach Speed Template. It was worn by all the schools in the College Football Playoff this year and was also worn by Nike's top tier programs like Oregon, Ohio State, FSU, and USC. To get an idea of cut I attached the article below with photo galleries from Ohio State's playoff uniforms. It shows how much Tennessee is being respected under the new Nike deal because schools like Texas are still in older templates.

http://http://www.nikeblog.com/2014/12/09/ohio-state-playoff-uniforms-official-photos/

 

[orange parmejohn]

I guess some of us will never understand that the brand of the uniforms is more important than the brand of the program.

Why do you guys get so butthurt over the school changing apparel companies? For the life of me, I just can't understand a man being so negative over something that the program and players are excited about.

 

[orange parmejohn]

If the recruits wanted us to change our shade of orange, would we?

Good grief!

Somehow, UT football managed to exist for over 100 years by their own rules....and did just fine with the recruits.

1) This post is the Derek Dooley philosophy. The program has undergone drastic changes over the past 100 years. Its how we got our most recognizable aspect, in the T on our helmet. 2) Some of you guys just refuse to understand marketing. The program is generating buzz around itself to attract players. Its freaking working. Look at our roster! Try digging a program out of a decade of obscurity by simply chirping out the names of players who played in the 80s and 90s. Our identity and brand was completely irrelevant. Now we are turning away 4* players. That just doesn't happen, especially considering the biggest accomplishment we've had in years is a gator bowl win. I'm not an advocate for modernizing the uniforms. I miss the big block letters and black cleats. However, I am an advocate for winning. If that means a chrome helmet with LED lights, then charge up the LEDs and go win. I'm sick of losing.

 

[onevol74]

Why do you guys get so butthurt over the school changing apparel companies? For the life of me, I just can't understand a man being so negative over something that the program and players are excited about.

What bitterness are you talking about? Merely stating a valid point. I have never objected to Nike and really could care less about who produces athletic apparel. But when programs are held hostage to a company because of their marketing ploys to 18 year old kids you have to deduct that the investments you have made to your 118 years of traditions to athletics and education are a whole lot less important. There is just something wrong with those values.

Many posters on here have inferred that our recruiting will improve when we go to Nike as if Adidas was some kind of affliction. I believe that last time we won anything of significance in football we were wearing Sportsbelle.

 

[butchna]

What bitterness are you talking about? Merely stating a valid point. I have never objected to Nike and really could care less about who produces athletic apparel. But when programs are held hostage to a company because of their marketing ploys to 18 year old kids you have to deduct that the investments you have made to your 118 years of traditions to athletics and education are a whole lot less important. There is just something wrong with those values.

Many posters on here have inferred that our recruiting will improve when we go to Nike as if Adidas was some kind of affliction. I believe that last time we won anything of significance in football we were wearing Sportsbelle.

Thanks for clearing up some of that, now about the "programs being held hostage"? How is that being done exactly? :huh:

 

[Boca Vol]

What bitterness are you talking about? Merely stating a valid point. I have never objected to Nike and really could care less about who produces athletic apparel. But when programs are held hostage to a company because of their marketing ploys to 18 year old kids you have to deduct that the investments you have made to your 118 years of traditions to athletics and education are a whole lot less important. There is just something wrong with those values.

Many posters on here have inferred that our recruiting will improve when we go to Nike as if Adidas was some kind of affliction. I believe that last time we won anything of significance in football we were wearing Sportsbelle.

Well said! :rock:

I don't care who makes the unis...just want to win.

 

[onevol74]

Thanks for clearing up some of that, now about the "programs being held hostage"? How is that being done exactly? :huh:

When you have kids that will not consider your program because of a uniform name brand, their marketing ploys are more effective than your traditions.

It is funny that the people complaining about commercialism and capitalism are the same people buying Nike and Apple. Actually, I love Apple products but as a brand they are way over valued. Same with Nike.

 

[butchna]

When you have kids that will not consider your program because of a uniform name brand, their marketing ploys are more effective than your traditions.

It is funny that the people complaining about commercialism and capitalism are the same people buying Nike and Apple. Actually, I love Apple products but as a brand they are way over valued. Same with Nike.

Did a one-man boycott of Nike dating back to 93, because of kids killing other kids for $200.00 shoes that were made for $3.00 in foreign sweatshops. Practically symbolic because I never objected to friends/family sporting it...just wasn't going to contribute. If Tennessee would allow them, they'd swoosh everything on campus including fire hydrants.. Kinda like they did Tiger Woods and the Denver Broncos back in the day. I think Tennessee has at least as much of a soul as Alabama and Penn State...and Tennessee will shine through. They're only as much a monster as you allow. I wasn't for us switching because of those few self-important diva types that refuse to use anything but Nike...more for the rest who have never said nothing but Adidas or Under Armour.

 

[bleedorange0037]

Did a one-man boycott of Nike dating back to 93, because of kids killing other kids for $200.00 shoes that were made for $3.00 in foreign sweatshops. Practically symbolic because I never objected to friends/family sporting it...just wasn't going to contribute. If Tennessee would allow them, they'd swoosh everything on campus including fire hydrants.. Kinda like they did Tiger Woods and the Denver Broncos back in the day. I think Tennessee has at least as much of a soul as Alabama and Penn State...and Tennessee will shine through. They're only as much a monster as you allow. I wasn't for us switching because of those few self-important diva types that refuse to use anything but Nike...more for the rest who have never said nothing but Adidas or Under Armour.

But this isn't really true. From what's been posted on here, it sounds like UT did somehow manage to get a slightly more favorable deal than some other schools who are forced to give Nike complete control over their uniforms. However, Nike is still going to hold a pretty heavy hammer in the decision making process, so that worries me. Even if the administration is somewhat committed retaining some level of tradition, they've signed away some of their power on that front.

 

[orange parmejohn]

When you have kids that will not consider your program because of a uniform name brand, their marketing ploys are more effective than your traditions.

It is funny that the people complaining about commercialism and capitalism are the same people buying Nike and Apple. Actually, I love Apple products but as a brand they are way over valued. Same with Nike.

I don't think kids pick schools for the brands. Its just part of a school's overall image. I wish that tradition was the main consideration because UT has a beautiful heritage. Unfortunately that isn't the world we live in.

 

[bleedorange0037]

I don't think kids pick schools for the brands. Its just part of a school's overall image. I wish that tradition was the main consideration because UT has a beautiful heritage. Unfortunately that isn't the world we live in.

Do you not think it's possible for UT to be successful and maintain their traditional look at the same time?