Illinois Football Uniforms
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Yeah, let's not promote MO at all.... lol, those games played in MO will work for promoting MO. But using that image to promote a game in Champaign? I think NOT! Though I do love the Arch and it's historical (Mechanical/Engineering and historical/Westward U.S. Expansion) significance, I do (sorta) love the ride up! Use the Arch image to promote an Arch Madness type event. This just popped into my head..... How cool would it have been to have the Arch straddle the Mighty Mississip?!?!?!? I know, I know, it would have had to of been MASSIVE! Fun idea though!
You ever been to Vandalia?
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
Right. Can't be putting another state's icon on our unis. I get the notion of trying to sell ourselves to STL metro, but that is no bueno, imo.
Been enjoying these threads in both the BBall and FBall forums, though! It feels like the football side puts more consistent effort into their jerseys than basketball. I enjoyed last year's series of featured uniforms for 100 years, hope that moving forward we find a level of consistency in uniforms to match consistency on field.
Also, I would love to see the Grange uniforms once a year. Those were amazing.
Looks like Iowa State
ok, im the old man yelling to get off my lawn.
I'm not sure this is a generational thing necessarily. You've expressed a preference for the Block I over the script and the slant. Block I is a relatively new football helmet logo in the grand scheme of things. The Block I was first used in 2012. The slant dates back to the late 80s and was the default helmet for over 20 years. The script is of course as new as it comes.
I personally like both the slant and the script more than the Block I. I like the arch Illini more than the Block I. Nothing to do with generation. More that the Block I, as the centerpiece of the helmet, is just too bland, and doesn't use the space well. It sometimes feels like they've painted an 8x10 image on a 16x20 canvas. All the other options use the space better, and also are more interesting visually.
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I'm not saying to do it for every home game, or even home games against Mizzou - but if youre playing a game in StL it wouldn't be OK? ND does stuff like this all the time.
If all else fails, put this one on there instead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s9n9h6A4kHCK6Pok6
I agree, I have never liked the slant ILLINOIS (so non-creative). Just get rid of it.
I think the Block I creates the most recognizable brand (I do like it), but I have always loved the arched ILLINI (from back in the Bob Blackman/Mike White days). The Script is a little cliche but loved it in the Citrus Bowl. When we win any combo looks good.
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Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
But Notre Dame isn't a state university. They don't view themselves as an "Indiana" brand. They are a national brand.
We are Illinois. I'd rather we put Lincoln's bust on our helmets (feel free to insert other items related to our state).
Yep, and USC looks like Michigan State. I already said that in the post (I said Idaho though
By dint of the fact that you can only point to one other team that has done it (the NY Giants) it is far more creative than the Single Block Letter helmet, which has to be one of, if not the most, common helmet designs in history.I agree, I have never liked the slant ILLINOIS (so non-creative). Just get rid of it.
I think the Block I creates the most recognizable brand (I do like it), but I have always loved the arched ILLINI (from back in the Bob Blackman/Mike White days). The Script is a little cliche but loved it in the Citrus Bowl. When we win any combo looks good.
When the slant was first employed, 1989, it was an obvious copy of the New York Giants. They had recently won the Super Bowl following the 1986 season.
What can I say, I bought a full size Riddell with the the new logo at a sporting goods store at the mall. Still have it in bookcase shelf.
After a few years, and ever since, the slant immediately, reflexively strikes me as a GIANTS copycat (ripoff?) upon viewing.
The block I, as used so far, strikes me as generic. Neither stylized nor historically and classically simple. It’s a “tweener”!
The circular Chief Illiniwek w/ headress logo that was in use elsewhere within DIA and official merchandise from 1981-1995 would be most awesome indeed, but, that ain’t happening. (Have so much, now vintage
, merch with that logo)My vote is for a rotation of: script, arched, Butkus-style, and Grange.
Vote for unis: orange/blue/orange;
orange/blue/blue; and,
orange/white/orange
You’re right, that conceptual design looks like Idaho also. That msu logo looks pretty different than the sc one though. About as different as you can be with both having bronze-age warriors as their mascots.
If people are looking for originality, arched illini is the way to go. It definitely is not the block I. Script and slant are in between the former 2.
I know people seem to like the grange uniforms, but those will get old fast. One and done there.
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Whoosh…
Look, if you think these two logos look the same idk what to tell ya.
Following that up, we definitely don’t have anything *more* unique with arched letters on a helmet. … heck Iowa State has an arched word mark.
I hate the text over the Block I look. Not because it looks too much like Iowa state. But because it just looks bad. It's too busy, especially with the script, which I love by itself.
I don't care about being instantly recognizable from afar or on TV. The score bug on the screen will tell the viewer who is playing, this isn't the 60s where the score only comes on screen 4 times a game. Just do what looks good, which, I know, is subjective.
Orange and Blue is a unique enough combination that I think we'll be just fine. We aren't some random Red and White only team. It's us, VA, Cuse, and FL (and their blue is different enough).
I personally love the arched ILLINI and the Script, but I'm mostly fine as long as the helmet is orange 99% of the time, no white. That's what makes you unrecognizable, everyone has a white helmet these days.
I don't care about being instantly recognizable from afar or on TV. The score bug on the screen will tell the viewer who is playing, this isn't the 60s where the score only comes on screen 4 times a game. Just do what looks good, which, I know, is subjective.
Orange and Blue is a unique enough combination that I think we'll be just fine. We aren't some random Red and White only team. It's us, VA, Cuse, and FL (and their blue is different enough).
I personally love the arched ILLINI and the Script, but I'm mostly fine as long as the helmet is orange 99% of the time, no white. That's what makes you unrecognizable, everyone has a white helmet these days.
I like all the helmet designs. Just no more slant Illinois. Looks bad.
I know not many would agree but I prefer the Butkus style helmet. It says old school (emphasizing our roots in college football) and tough (emphasizing our nature when we play).When the slant was first employed, 1989, it was an obvious copy of the New York Giants. They had recently won the Super Bowl following the 1986 season.
What can I say, I bought a full size Riddell with the the new logo at a sporting goods store at the mall. Still have it in bookcase shelf.
After a few years, and ever since, the slant immediately, reflexively strikes me as a GIANTS copycat (ripoff?) upon viewing.
The block I, as used so far, strikes me as generic. Neither stylized nor historically and classically simple. It’s a “tweener”!
The circular Chief Illiniwek w/ headress logo that was in use elsewhere within DIA and official merchandise from 1981-1995 would be most awesome indeed, but, that ain’t happening. (Have so much, now vintage
My vote is for a rotation of: script, arched, Butkus-style, and Grange.
Vote for unis: orange/blue/orange;
orange/blue/blue; and,
orange/white/orange
lol, yes, they look the same. As far as arched, no one else has “illini” or Illinois for that matter.
I’ve said this before, I have my preferences but as long as helmet is orange I won’t be complaining. I actually like the Iowa state/Idaho concept, just not choice #1 for me.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
The solid color uniforms have always stood out more to me, I can see why the kids like em'. The all orange, all blue and all white combos
Why not the blues...
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I think we’ve been burned by our past O/O/O unis, because the current version is absolutely
. It’s never been better. The B/W/B shoulder/helmet/pant stripes set it off perfectly.
Slant ILLINOIS or script idc, it’s perfect.
you're right its not an age thing, but i'll keep being critical. The arch is in a 80's text and are tiny letters that are only visible on tv. the script has been a basketball jersey technique since the 20's-30's and neither belong on a football jersey. (opinions are like a-holes) i appreciate the comments, i know i am the minority here.
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