uniform changes

[skrzfan]

I really hate to even bring this up again.  I know I'm tired of talking about it, but the Godfather has spoken:

http://my.journalstar.com/post/Husker_Extra_Group/Husker_Extra/blog/osborne_prefers_traditional_uniforms.html

Do you think you'll ever make drastic uniform changes, as so many other programs have done on a semi-regular basis?

"I think many of these clothing companies would appreciate it if you would do something unusual or bizarre or change up because it calls attention -- I guess -- to their brand," Osborne said. "Personally, I don't see where it adds a lot of value if people think the uniforms are really outlandish. Apparently there is a value to the companies. But we've always been fairly traditional here."

Don't expect that to change when it comes to Husker football uniforms, as long as Osborne is running the shop.

"Maybe that has to do with longstanding traditions. But it also maybe has to do with my age," he said.

The 74-year-old Osborne chuckled.

"I'm just to the point where I don't think that you should all of a sudden make yourself into a walking billboard. So, we'll probably be pretty traditional around here."

Osborne said Adidas -- Nebraska's apparel supplier -- approached NU about making what Osborne described as "significant" changes to the football uniforms as far back as the 1990s, when Osborne was the head coach. He said NU would have been compensated for the proposed changes.

"I think that's probably the deal with a lot of these uniforms that you're now seeing that are really kind of odd," he said. "We've always pretty much turned those kinds of opportunities down ... (But) I haven't seen anything come across my desk lately."

I agree with Tom on this issue. Nebraska's football uniforms scream "tradition." You don't mess with that.

[Big Sky Husker]

The more outlandish crap... by Oregon, Ok State, Maryland... Osborne has a point.  But Nebraska has changed their uniforms several times since the 1970s.  We now look more like the teams of the early - mid 70s.  There was the tear away jersey phase, the 80s look, the 90s solid pants colors - no stripes, the 2002 fiasco.  I think a minor tweaking like OU's combat uniform would be OK.

[OhioHusker43065]

This is Nebraska for God's sake, we don't do uniform stuff like the silly folks from Oregon. 

[Cdog923]

An all-Black uniform once a year, with the same style as our current unis, would not be a major change.

[Red Said Ted]

This is Nebraska for God's sake, we don't do uniform stuff like the silly folks from Oregon. 

Agreed.  Keep em classic.

[Solly]

An all-Black uniform once a year, with the same style as our current unis, would not be a major change.

Other than Black not being one of the school's colors.

Other than the monochromatic look that pretty much always looks like crap.

Other than compromising both good taste and established tradition for a flash-in-the-pan fad.

Everyone take a deep breath, and read what Osborne said: IT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

[Sexy Leather]

If any changes are made I wouldn't mind seeing all red unis at home once or twice a season--say against Wisconsin or Ohio State.

We could do all red home unis and still stay traditional.

[Big Papi]

If any changes are made I wouldn't mind seeing all red unis at home once or twice a season--say against Wisconsin or Ohio State.

We could do all red home unis and still stay traditional.

Been there, done that.  Didin't like it then.  Don't mess with the uniforms.  There have been no major changes except for 2002 and we know how that turned out. 

[Sexy Leather]

If any changes are made I wouldn't mind seeing all red unis at home once or twice a season--say against Wisconsin or Ohio State.

We could do all red home unis and still stay traditional.

Been there, done that.  Didin't like it then.  Don't mess with the uniforms.  There have been no major changes except for 2002 and we know how that turned out. 

LOL...as if the uniform determines the outcome of games.   

[Capn Krunch]

An all-Black uniform once a year, with the same style as our current unis, would not be a major change.

Other than Black not being one of the school's colors.

Other than the monochromatic look that pretty much always looks like crap.

Other than compromising both good taste and established tradition for a flash-in-the-pan fad.

Everyone take a deep breath, and read what Osborne said: IT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

It does look like crap. I shake my head every time a black car or truck with black wheels goes by. Looks like the entire car was dipped in doodoo. People keep doing it though.

I am all for maintaining our non-wannabe status. Think our road unis in particular are killer.

[tfree32]

An all-Black uniform once a year, with the same style as our current unis, would not be a major change.

Other than Black not being one of the school's colors.

Other than the monochromatic look that pretty much always looks like crap.

Other than compromising both good taste and established tradition for a flash-in-the-pan fad.

Everyone take a deep breath, and read what Osborne said: IT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

I respectfully disagree Solly. I think all-black with red trim and a little white could be pretty badass. While black isn't officially a school color, with the tradition of the Blackshirts, it may as well be. And changing things up a little doesn't hurt anything if done so tastefully. I also think it's difficult to dismiss the trend as a fad given how the recruits like it, the success of teams like Oregon with it and how even traditional powers are experimenting with it.

[Solly]

It's actually very simple to dismiss this as a fad, rather than a trend - by NOT PARTICIPATING IN IT.

Osborne isn't going to let it happen, and it's unlikely that any who will succeed him will, either.

Lastly, no other "traditional power" has gone far beyond throwbacks, and none have ditches their school colors in favor of head-to-toe black.

If the uniforms are the deciding factor for a prospect, his priorities are hopeless, and NU should be glad they went elsewhere.

And along those lines, name ONE top-flight recruit who has declared that the selected a school based on the "edginess" or "hipness" of their uniforms - just one.

[HuskerFan2002]

Nebraska doesn't necessarily have to be a carbon copy version of Oregon, though. I don't want a permanent change of the uniforms, but it doesn't hurt anyone to do something different with its uniforms once or twice a year.

[HuskerFan2002]

Here's a prime example of the players reaction to something new:

[tfree32]

It's actually very simple to dismiss this as a fad, rather than a trend - by NOT PARTICIPATING IN IT.

Osborne isn't going to let it happen, and it's unlikely that any who will succeed him will, either.

Lastly, no other "traditional power" has gone far beyond throwbacks, and none have ditches their school colors in favor of head-to-toe black.

If the uniforms are the deciding factor for a prospect, his priorities are hopeless, and NU should be glad they went elsewhere.

And along those lines, name ONE top-flight recruit who has declared that the selected a school based on the "edginess" or "hipness" of their uniforms - just one.

Choosing not to participate in it when so many others are doesn't negate the fact that it's a trend. It just makes it a trend we're not participating in.

I realize that Osborne isn't going to participate in it. I respectfully disagree with him as well. Osborne's not all-knowing or infallible and I think his take on this is wrong.

Plenty of traditional schools have incorporated elements that go beyond throwbacks. They recognize that changes can be made tastefully and conservatively. I generally favor that approach too, with the one exception of incorporating some black or even all black into a uniform we wear once a season or even once in awhile. I think black and red with a little white would look really cool if done right. I also think it would be very appealing to recruits, players and fans. Plus with the Blackshirt tradition, black may as well be a school color.

Here's a good article I posted before about the appeal of different uniforms. In it they discuss the impact they have on the perception and appeal of a program. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/the_bonus/12/28/uniforms/index.html

And there are a ton of articles like this one, from those who follow recruiting, who make clear that the uniforms do make a difference. http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1265545