The 2014 Illini Nike Uniforms and Rebrand

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#2,751      

BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
I was skeptical of the gray uniforms but I have to say they looked really good, especially the lid. Add in the historic meaning and I think we outdid most school's exotic look. What I don't like is weird superstition that somehow we need to keep wearing them because we win in them. They should be put aside and brought out only once or twice a year for a special game. Go back to orange and blue now (maybe use the helmet periodically).
 
#2,752      

Neidermeyer

Neidermeyer
Faber College
Neidermeyer
I too liked the gray uniforms but for some reason they didn't look good on the field when viewed from a distance. It was almost as if they blended into the field - if that makes any sense.
 
#2,753      

Illinigirl

I
Illinigirl
I thought they looked fantastic, and so did my kids. I talked to a few casual fans, and they also thought they looked great.
 
#2,754      

ijustkrushalot

I
Iowa Corridor
ijustkrushalot
I liked the idea (as far as I'm concerned anything in greyscale from and including black to white can be used as a neutral color)... I was a little skiddish on the uniforms until I saw the whole thing.

I think in person they looked completely awesome.

I mean... swooon...

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They aren't our regular uniform... they are a one-time alternate.. and for that purpose they were better than most schools put together
 
#2,755      

riffraff

riffraff
Peoria
riffraff
They look cool but were not good for watching from the sidelines. They made the Minny unis stand out so it was hard to focus on the players you want to see. It's like they were just ghosts on the field.
 
#2,758      

Funkenstein89

F
Behind Enemy Lines
Funkenstein89
I was pleasantly surprised at being able to see the numbers (from the north end zone), but visually that was all I liked about these uniforms. What I did like was that apparently, Hail To The Gray made the bounces go our way. I'd still like to see us win a game wearing the school colors though. I love the 1963 throwbacks and I'd like that to be our homecoming uniform instead.

Even if I liked the grays, I don't know that I'd want to get one of the replica jerseys...because where would I ever wear it? I live in Michigan, and I don't think anyone would have any idea what team it was for because of the colors... and I always wear orange to the games (because that's what you wear to illinois games, right?)
 
#2,759      

DeadPanic

D
DeadPanic
riffraff said:
They look cool but were not good for watching from the sidelines. They made the Minny unis stand out so it was hard to focus on the players you want to see. It's like they were just ghosts on the field.
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I'm not sure if you knew what you were saying, but that is perfect! :clappy:
 
#2,761      

Illini15

I
Guest
Illini15
AzIlliniFan said:
It's got to be one of the two. I have to think the Braggin' Rights game is the one. The only other option I could think of as a possibility would be for when we make the NCAA tourney. :thumb:
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A friend of mine is a manager on the team. When they first came out with the new uniforms he was hinting that they had another black one that actually says "Fighting Illini" on it. Bear in mind this was after a couple (dozen) blue guys at KAMS so he may have been pulling my leg.

If they are real though I would wager they wear it at the UC since the Braggin' Rights game looks so iconic with Orange against Yellow split in half and I feel like the crowd in Chicago would be more receptive to a change.
 
#2,764      

BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
What if we wore the white/silver helmet with our all whites?
 
#2,768      

Groundhogday

G
Guest
Groundhogday
WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
No Butkus?
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Yes, I looked for him as well. Maybe they can't put a living person on the roster?

If you click on the Grange link, it takes you an historical video on Grange. Perhaps they haven't yet produced such a video for Butkus?
 
#2,772      

bigtiny

B
bigtiny
Agree with comments. Tradition starts out hokey, until it is talked about enough to become meaningful. And, lots of Ws usually helps. Notre Dame's "Play Like a Champion Today" sign sounds like something a high school coach would do. Drop it into years of tradition and reverence from alumni and it gives you goose bumps.

I love the idea of Grange being listed on the roster forevermore. Do the same with Butkus, maybe after he dies. We have the best offensive and best defensive player in the history of college football.

Love Illiniboard Robert's idea of a Grange entrance and a Butkus entrance to the stadium too.

Do these things slowly over time, and they will build upon themselves. All at once and it will feel too fake and too planned.
 
#2,773      

Paignt It Orange

Paignt It Orange
Paignt It Orange
bigtiny said:
Agree with comments. Tradition starts out hokey, until it is talked about enough to become meaningful. And, lots of Ws usually helps. Notre Dame's "Play Like a Champion Today" sign sounds like something a high school coach would do. Drop it into years of tradition and reverence from alumni and it gives you goose bumps.

I love the idea of Grange being listed on the roster forevermore. Do the same with Butkus, maybe after he dies. We have the best offensive and best defensive player in the history of college football.

Love Illiniboard Robert's idea of a Grange entrance and a Butkus entrance to the stadium too.

Do these things slowly over time, and they will build upon themselves. All at once and it will feel too fake and too planned.
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How we don't have something honoring Ray Nitschke and George Halas is a mystery to me. I know they were probably more known for life after football at U of I, but still.
 
#2,774      

bigtiny

B
bigtiny
Paignt It Orange said:
How we don't have something honoring Ray Nitschke and George Halas is a mystery to me. I know they were probably more known for life after football at U of I, but still.
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Good idea. Four big names, four sides to a stadium. Give them one each - but give Grange east and Butkus west.
 
#2,775      

illinicb

I
Northbrook
illinicb
bigtiny said:
Agree with comments. Tradition starts out hokey, until it is talked about enough to become meaningful. And, lots of Ws usually helps. Notre Dame's "Play Like a Champion Today" sign sounds like something a high school coach would do. Drop it into years of tradition and reverence from alumni and it gives you goose bumps.



I love the idea of Grange being listed on the roster forevermore. Do the same with Butkus, maybe after he dies. We have the best offensive and best defensive player in the history of college football.



Love Illiniboard Robert's idea of a Grange entrance and a Butkus entrance to the stadium too.



Do these things slowly over time, and they will build upon themselves. All at once and it will feel too fake and too planned.
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I assume Butkus's number (50) is retired, but I don't know.
 
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