"Illinois. Our state. Our team." introduced as theme for UI athletics

[KJKobs]

CHAMPAIGN, IL - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics unveiled a theme and logo Friday that will be introduced throughout the state of Illinois this fall.

"As the flagship public institution in the state, this theme describes the statewide following and support of Fighting Illini athletics from our millions of fans and alumni in the state of Illinois," Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "This theme becomes a way for all of our fans to rally behind one central concept - that the University of Illinois is our state's school. As the Fighting Illini, our student-athletes, coaches and staff are proud to represent the people of Illinois and we are proud to wear the state's name on the front of our jerseys."

The "ILLINOIS. OUR STATE. OUR TEAM." campaign will be incorporated into a large-scale brand evaluation program that the DIA will partner with Nike beginning in 2013. The 18-month collaboration will result in an updated brand identity including new football uniforms for 2014

http://www.fightingillini.com/genrel/080312aak.html

[U of I 89-05-10]

Love it. The past regime would have seen this as a waste of money, and I love that the current athletic department is willing to make this investment. It will hopefully pay off.

EDIT: Another reason I love this the idea is because it is a lot like what I suggested several months ago on this or the scout forum: Put different billboards in all of the major cities in Illinois with Illinois players or whatever and have that city's skyline in the background and have the bottom say: "YOUR CITY. YOUR STATE. YOUR TEAM." However, I'm no marketing guru, and this will probably work better!

[Thacher_H_Guild]

LOVE!

[Thacher_H_Guild]

I like that so much that I'd like to see the rest of the U steal it. Our State. Our School.

Then again, on second thought, the school is such an international place it might not work as well. Still, like it a lot.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by U of I 89-05-10

Love it. The past regime would have seen this as a waste of money, and I love that the current athletic department is willing to make this investment. It will hopefully pay off.

no, it would have been "Florida: Their State, our borrowed players"

[quhawks12]

[KBLEE]

So we now have to wait 2 more years for new uniforms??

[DrewD007]

2014 for football uniforms? Ugh.

[illinicb]

From my view, this seems fine. Doesn't WOW me, but not sure what would. It also seems to be a reaction to the NU's "Chicago's Big Ten Team" campaign. "Oh yeah? Well we are the the team for the WHOLE state not just Chicago!"

What seems a little odd to me is that they are doing a rebranding initiative, but they seem to be introducing it in phases which is fine, but that either means the block I logo will remain (OK by me) or they will have to scrap what they have done with the basketball and football surfaces once the new "brand" is rolled out. Even though I don't care for the outline of the state, it does appear that is consistent with what they are trying to do.

[txillini]

2014?!? You've GOT to be kidding!

[Fighting Billini]

Originally Posted by illinicb

From my view, this seems fine. Doesn't WOW me, but not sure what would. It also seems to be a reaction to the NU's "Chicago's Big Ten Team" campaign. "Oh yeah? Well we are the the team for the WHOLE state not just Chicago!"

What seems a little odd to me is that they are doing a rebranding initiative, but they seem to be introducing it in phases which is fine, but that either means the block I logo will remain (OK by me) or they will have to scrap what they have done with the basketball and football surfaces once the new "brand" is rolled out. Even though I don't care for the outline of the state, it does appear that is consistent with what they are trying to do.

The Block I will remain as the primary, but there will be other things in the package. Or at least, that is my understanding as the DIA's goal. The rebranding is about having consistent logos, wordmarks and colors.

[Ransom Stoddard]

I like it a lot. Lots of orange, keeping blue in it too.

[RHITIllini]

Let's be honest, this is what the new era is really all about:

[Sybok]

2014 for new uniforms? That's somewhat disappointing.

[idoc13]

Love the slogan. Why are we waiting until 2014 for uniforms?

[Sure Shot]

While the Block I with the state of Illinois outline is being used specifically with the "ILLINOIS. OUR STATE. OUR TEAM." branding, the traditional Block I-Illinois and standalone Block I logos remain the DIA's primary marks.

I hold onto vain hope that that won't be the case in 18 months.

[AuroraIllini]

Its 2014 because its an 18-month rebranding process.

[idoc13]

Originally Posted by AuroraIllini

Its 2014 because its an 18-month rebranding process.

What element of the rebranding process could possibly take that long?

New logo, new slogan, new uniforms, new turf...

Am I missing something here?

[The Galloping Ghost 77]

I like the concept behind the branding and evaluation partnership, but I hate having to wait till 2014 for the new uni's and probably new logo. Oh well, at least it's finally getting done. I'm nervous though, because that program kickoff logo is really stale.

[GilThorpe]

two more seasons for new uni's is dissappointing

but just think, thats two more years of arguing back and forth about it

[Paignt It Orange]

I like it because it is the WHOLE state, not just Chicago. It includes us, the little pee-ons down here in Southern Illinois.

[uiba99]

Love it.

[Clemens]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

Let's be honest, this is what the new era is really all about:

could you change nullify to neuter?

[goillini75]

hey i like the slogan it is all inclusive
yeah kinda disappointing about the wait
i also wonder if the bball team will be looking at new uni's too
And to tell you the truth everyone complaining about the new logo at midfield looking to much like indiana this pretty much tells you why they did that

[mattcoldagelli]

Love it.