Chud: I feel good about our culture and identity
November 6, 2013NFL News: Jason Campbell named AFC offensive player of the week
November 6, 2013In a multiple part series, Rick and I, two of the bigger jersey junkies at the site, have been tackling our opinions on the Cleveland teams’ uniforms, logos, and color schemes. You can find our takes on the Cavaliers, and Browns, and Indians’ uniform schemes at the following links. As you know at WFNY, Cleveland sports are the primary focus. However, many of us have a spot in our hearts for Ohio State. With that in mind, Rick and I are going to tackle some of our thoughts on the men of the scarlet and gray, both on the gridiron and the hardwood. Here’s a look at some of our favorites and ones we’d rather forget.
Kirk: Rick, we have a lot of years to cover. Let’s start with your thoughts on the current set of uniforms for the Buckeye football team.
Rick: First, the current set includes the traditional helmet with the Buckeye award stickers which might be my favorite uniform aspect of ALL of my favorite teams. Love those helmets. The current set also keeps pretty true to the tradition of Ohio State uniforms. Bold stripes, block numerals.
Kirk: The helmet stickers are fantastic, and I would agree with you on the helmets. They’re great, and a Buckeye helmet looks so lonely early in the season without them. In fact, I just bought a gray cap a few weeks ago with a buckeye sticker logo, and it’s quickly grown on me.
I am completely okay with the current set of uniforms, but they’re not my absolute favorite overall. I do love the addition of the Buckeyes leaves representing the national titles on the back of the neck. However, I think they’ve had better striping and numbering layouts.
Rick: I love the plain helmets too. They just scream a new season full of possibilities. I really like some of these little touches that they have been adding. The Buckeye leaves on the neckline for the national titles? Yeah, love ’em.
As I said when we did the Browns uniforms, I am a big fan of stripes that are consistent. So I really like the sleeve and pant stripes that are the same colors and proportions as the helmet stripes.
Kirk: That is aesthetically agreeable, no doubt. I think the stripes on the pants look fine, but for some reason, I think I’m more of a fan of the Tressel-era circa 2002 jerseys with the gray-incorporated stripes on the jersey. They’re quite similar to the ones that Archie wore as well.
I also like the slightly larger numbers of that time. I guess these current uniforms have a little smaller numbers and are more sleek and tight fitting… very fitting of a Urban Meyer squad, I suppose.
Those Tressel-era uniforms get some sentimental value as the Buckeye uniforms that I first fell in love with and ones the team had success in, sort of the ’90s-era Indians vibe from my standpoint.
Rick: Exactly. Those uniforms have a special place in my memory as well. I will agree that the numbers on the uniforms do seem to be getting smaller. Some of them throughout the years have been comically big. Take a look at the Rex Kern era uniforms. What do you think of the black numerals on the shoulders of those jerseys by the way?
Kirk: Yea, those TV numbers are horrific, and because of that, it gives that set my worst rating for the Buckeye uniforms (that I’ve seen anyway). I’ll add that black has ZERO place in a Buckeye uniform scheme. Scarlet, gray, and white when needed. THAT IS IT! BFBS (Black for black’s sake), to borrow a Paul Lukas line, is not needed at tOSU.
Rick: I was a kid during the Chris Spielman era. My dad took me to a game while he was there. We went to Conrads, and I got a #36 in the mesh jersey style. That mesh was just a completely different era.
Kirk: It was entirely different. We haven’t touched on this much in the other pieces, but those jerseys weren’t much more than glorified, embroidered practice jerseys. The jerseys now have just come so far in the last 5, 10, and 20 years in so many different ways.
Rick: Yes. What was interesting about those was how on some of them, the numerals were solid (at least until they were dried too many times and the numerals started getting holes).
So the Nike “Pro Combat” uniforms, how would you rank them?
Kirk: As someone on campus for the start of this dynamic, I have mixed feelings. It was neat to see some of the unique uniforms that Nike came up with overall. I would say that my favorite would have to be the current installment for the past two seasons (worn 4 times now). The exaggerated green Buckeye leaves are a phenomenal and subtle touch. I like the gray numbers, and the wider stripe on the helmet surprisingly doesn’t bother me. My biggest beef? The name being so small and in black thin font on the back. Outside of that, they’re borderline excellent. After that, I’d go with the white/gray combo from 2009, the 2011 with the gray shoulder stripes, and the worst in the bunch was the 2010 installment with the strange font numbers and red helmets. I didn’t like the helmets in any of them but the current one, really. The Bucks don’t need numbers on their helmets.
Rick: My biggest beef with the Pro Combat uniforms was that they wore them against Michigan for what, three years in a row? I really hated that. Of all the games in the world to wear something traditional, that was it. Plus, wearing helmets without the award stickers during the last regular season game? Really?? I love that the current ones kept the buckeye leaf stickers, but I’m not much for the chrome look or the exaggerated stripes.
My favorites were probably the white with the gray pants and white helmets and numerals, then the current set, then the all red jersey/helmets. I wasn’t a fan of the red jersey/grey helmet with WIDE red stripe on the helmet.
Kirk: You brought up what was going to be my next thought on these. I can accept (and frankly, applaud) wearing these for the Wisconsin game or biggest early to mid-season night game. But Michigan? No, no, NO!!! I’m certainly on the same page with you here.
In the future, I’d love to see a gray version of a jersey top. I’ve long said that I’d be in favor of utilizing gray more across the whole OSU uniform package. Maybe a little like these Texas Tech uniforms from earlier this season?
Yeah, those 2011 unis may have been the worst version of the helmets. I know they tried to tie back in traditional elements of uniform schemes, but I think they STILL missed the mark by using them in the most tradition-rich of games.
Rick; I like that the Buckeyes’ alternates haven’t been just cookie cutter versions of other uniforms.
Kirk: On to hoops it is! The current lineup for the basketball Bucks is white and gray options at home with road scarlets that all are basically the same uniform design. Do you like that, Rick, or do you prefer some variety?
Rick: Well, first off I am not nearly the Buckeye hoops guy that you are. Not even close. I don’t mind them, but they seem a bit plain.
Kirk: I go back and forth on this, particularly with the Ohio State set. In college, it’s less common to use the nickname on the home uniform set (much like the wine and gold do with “Cavaliers” and “Cavs” at home and “Cleveland” on the roads). Still, I might not mind seeing “Buckeyes” with the current home whites or at least the gray alternates.
Which leads me to my next point, I’d be fine with Ohio State going exclusively with gray uniforms for home games. They wore them A LOT for a few years (more than half the time at home), and I think it’s a great and unique look. My only issue with those grays? The white lettering. They’d look much better with red names and numbers, a little like the Conley/Oden version of the gray alternate in the photo to the side.
What about the library shadow frame on the back of the uniforms? Are you a fan, Rick?
Rick: That concept is a little bit cookie cutter like I mentioned before. Yes, the library is unique to Ohio State, but that panel concept has become a Nike staple. I think that may be a touch that former students like more than the casual Buckeye fans.
Kirk: It does have a little more meaning for a former student, agreed, but Thompson Library was also closed for three of my five years at OSU. I agree it’s a little cookie cutter, and I could do without it.
Do you have a favorite basketball uniform?
Rick: I like the J.J. Sullinger look with the block Ohio State that matches the logo script.
Kirk: I do like that one, especially the typeface. I’d be all in favor of applying that to the current set with maybe a “Buckeyes” across the chest of the gray jerseys instead. I guess between the home golds for the Cavs and the grays for the Bucks, I’m a bit of an unconventional guy with home basketball jerseys. The Jim Jackson era might get my mark for the worst of the bunch. That gray is too light, and I’m not a big fan of “Ohio” and “State” horizontally divided.
Rick: It would be interesting to see them bring back that script Buckeyes look of the Clark Kellogg days once. The Jim Jackson era grays were almost silver. I will say that those were the Buckeye teams I watched every game of.
Kirk: Back to that early-2000s font on the uniforms, it’s a font used across sports for the Buckeyes. This year, they filled in the white in the font and went to an all-black solid font. I can’t stand it! What are your thoughts?
Rick: It made no sense. Honestly, how could you look at that and think it was better? No designers I’ve talked to think it was an improvement or fans, for that matter.
Kirk: Not only have they had it for a fairly long time, but I feel like it was a decision made with little consultation. We just heard the announcement one day, and it was a done deal. It’s going to take a long time to phase the old style out in all university teams and gear, and I’m still half-hoping that they reverse it before the damage is done.
Rick: Even if you didn’t like the previous look, there is no way that you like the revised version. It’s not enough of a change.
Kirk: Agreed. You can’t change the current logo *just* enough to notice the lettering change and leave it all the same. They should have went an entirely different direction if that was the case. The Block O stands up on it’s own just fine without the lettering in nearly any capacity, so they could have just done that instead. I like the Brutus logo much in the same way that I like Brownie. He stays OFF of all of the actual team gear, but he has as big of a role on fan gear as the fans desire.
What are your thoughts on the Alumni logo? I like it, and I wouldn’t mind the athletic department using it.
Rick: If I were an alumnus, I think I would like that to stay something for just alumni – something to set apart graduates from Joe Football Fan.
Kirk: That’s a great point, and I suppose I haven’t thought of it that way. Maybe it’s why I like it.
Rick: The Brutus logo isn’t really my cup of tea. I am happy that it is a secondary thing. There are plenty of options for apparel and so forth out there with Brutus and without. I kind of like it that way as well.
Kirk: My closing thoughts on Ohio State uniforms in general: (1) No black, (2) More gray in all facets, and (3) Leave the Michigan game uniforms alone!
Rick: I can get behind that platform, sir. Particularly #3. And leave the helmet stickers alone.
Kirk: In the committee of two, the motion carries!
7 Comments
Rick: Agree completely on the alumni logo. As an alumnus, I love that it stands just for us (though TBDBITL also uses it – but that just adds to its “specialness”).
As for the Nike Pro Combat stuff, I could not agree more that they should wear traditional unis during the Michigan game. Use these things only for teams that think they have a rivalry with us (ahem, Penn State). Also, I know the all red uniform combo isn’t popular, but I love it – because of what it represented: The 1943 team, with the Bronze Star to signify the service of some of those players. Indeed, the historical tie-back to these uniforms is what I like about all of the OSU Pro Combat sets. They are all tied to a significant team in the school’s history. That’s pretty cool – and maybe unique among universities that employ these special threads.
Oh, and yes, scrap the dumb Ohio State logo. Just go with the Block O. It stands on its own.
I couldn’t agree more with both of your takes that the Buckeyes should stay with their traditional uniforms vs. tSUN. That game is THE GAME and should be traditional. When I look back to the 2006 undefeated game, I think the throwback/pro combat/alternate uniform would’ve somehow detracted from the game somehow. We are talking about tOSU, not Oregon, so I would really like to see tOSU return to wearing their traditional uniforms for tSUN. That said, I’m also in agreement that they should wear their alternate for their marquee non-conference opponent every year, or their largest, nationally televised B1G opponent. If the players like it, even though I’m not a fan of any of the alternates, then that’s fine. Just not THE GAME.
Could there be an argument made for wearing the combat uni’s for the Michigan game for recruiting purposes? I know you don’t like it for the tradition, but considering that to be a huge recruitment game I feel the uniforms are good for the recruits at the game. Appealing to the young crowd being the main factor here.
We will be touching on the recruiting angle next week actually. We’re doing a general trends uniform piece.
My feeling on the Pro Combat issue is simple: no. Not for the Michigan game, not for a “rival”, not ever. The Buckeyes have one of the best and most classic looks in college football. No reason at all to go with some of the monstrosities we’ve trotted out in the last few years. If some high school kids decides he doesn’t want to play here because we don’t have some Oregon-inspired abomination or five, then he’s a fool anyway. If Nike doesn’t think they can make enough money with just our traditional look, then let them go elsewhere. Plenty of sponsors would jump at the chance to supply Ohio State, and for large sums of money.
TL;DR – ain’t broke, don’t fix it
As for basketball, I love the current set and it’s consistency. The only change I’d make is for the home jerseys to say “Buckeyes”, and leave the road unis to say “Ohio State”.
Finally, change the logo back to its old look. Immediately. And never speak of the horrendous change again. Ever. And if Brutus makes a few more appearances on things, I have no complaints.
…….seems as though the reporter ‘geeks’ have left out the best……..to bad the gents at the company’s who come up with new designs have forgotten …the ‘true ‘ colors for OSU are ” Scarlett & Gray….not red & silver…..
Go Bucks