Oregon’s new Nike-designed football uniforms are being unveiled today. No, they’re not quite as extreme as the illustration shown at right, but they’re predictably silly nonetheless, featuring four different jerseys, four different pants, and three different helmets, all of which can be mixed and matched (plus there will be several different undersleeve options, creating even more of a crazy-quilt effect). They’ve also reprised the diamondplate pattern and the “Oregon” and “O” on the pants, all of which first appeared in last year’s Civil War game. Basically, the whole thing is ridiculous, which is pretty much what everyone expected.
I got a sneak peek at the new designs because I wrote a short piece about them for the new issue of ESPN [the] Magazine, which hits newsstands today. Naturally, I poked fun at the new unis, although I didn’t go overboard because by now everyone knows what to expect from an Oregon uniform. If ever there was a case of “Dog Bites Man,” this is it.
Anyway, here’s what I want to talk about today: While working on that article, I spent the better part of two hours interviewing Nike VP Tinker Hatfield (the guy who’s also largely responsible for the Air Jordan line) and Nike Creative Director Todd Van Horne. And as is so often the case when dealing with people you supposedly revile but have never actually met, they turned out to be really interesting folks. I remain diametrically opposed to their notions of branding, and I think their idea of good design is very, very different than mine (and, I hope, yours), but I enjoyed talking with them and gained a lot of respect for them in the course of our discussions. I also give them a lot of credit for being so open and forthcoming with me, even though they knew my feelings about a lot of their work. In short: classy guys.
Stockholm Syndrome? Yeah, maybe, at least in part. But the reality is that it’s easy to demonize a faceless abstraction called “Nike” (which is why I’ll no doubt continue to do it), but things get a bit trickier when you put living, breathing human beings into the equation. With that in mind, and in the spirit of fairness, I want to share some of the things that came up in our interview but didn’t make it into the short article I ended up writing:
• The Nike people are well aware that the approach they’ve taken with Oregon and with some other schools wouldn’t fly with some the country’s more conservative programs. “The University of Oregon is willing to partner with us on this approach, and I don’t think you’d find that in too many Division I programs,” Hatfield told me. “If we walked into Joe Paterno’s office and said, ‘How about putting “Penn State” on the left leg of the pants?,’ we’d probably get tarred and feathered. We think it’s great that there are these storied programs around the country that have tradition, and you just don’t mess with them. I love Michigan’s uniforms; I love the simplicity of Penn State.” He sounded pretty sincere about this (although, as I pointed out to him, Nike did “mess with” Michigan’s road jersey last season). Of course, it would be nice if he could bring some of that simplicity to other Nike-outfitted teams, but that’s another matter.
• If you look again at this photo, you’ll see that Oregon’s new pants and jerseys come in green, yellow, white, and black, but the helmets only come in green, yellow, and white. Why isn’t there a black helmet? “That was discussed — some players thought it’d be pretty cool,” Hatfield told me. “But I didn’t think it would be right, out of respect for Oregon State, because they have black helmets. So I vetoed any black helmet.”
• On the performance side, the new uniforms are made of a fabric called FA05, which is supposedly much lighter than its predecessor, FA04. You can see some statistical comparisons here and here.
• Nike’s Oregon program is all geared toward catering to the athlete — not just in terms of the uniform’s performance-based aspects (which makes sense), but also in terms of aesthetics (which doesn’t, at least to me). They hold focus groups with the players, have the players submit design sketches, and so on. So if you think these unis look like they were designed by a bunch of 20-year-olds, well, to a certain extent they were. “They want to feel intimidating, like gladiators coming into the arena,” Van Horne told me. And about the diamondplate pattern, Hatfield said, “It’s basically a graphic representation of toughness. The players want to look tough — it’s a tough sport, there’s a lot of intimidation.” Frankly, I think this is all pretty stupid, but hey, 20-year-olds are stupid (if anyone reading this is 20 years old, I apologize, but trust me, your smarter years are ahead of you). Of course, the larger issue is why Nike would cater exclusively to the athletes when there’s a much larger group of people who have to look at the uniforms, but that’s a separate issue.
• It could have been worse: Many of the players were in favor of going with the asymmetrical-sleeves look, but the Nike people decided against it.
• The tapered uni numbers (here’s the full set) are a new typeface called Bellotti Bold. They were essentially art-directed by Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who didn’t like the numbers used in the Civil War game (and hey, who can blame him?). Hatfield said, “The tapered number just adds a little more of a dynamic attitude. Basically, if a player feels more invincible, he’ll go out and play better. That’s sports psychology 101.” Again, I think this is silly at best, but it appears to be another case of giving the players (and, in this case, the coach) what they want.
• Speaking of the numbers, the actual number fabric is stretch twill, so the numerals will stretch and give along with the rest of the jersey — apparently a first in uni design.
So have I suddenly become a Nike apologist? Hardly. I still think they’re the biggest problem in sports design today, I still think they usually have the manufacturer/team relationship backwards, and they reeeaaaalllly need to cut back on all the swooshes. And when Hatfield trots out a talking point like, “We’re used to the criticism, because that’s the role of the leader,” as he said to me toward the end of our interview, that’s just a convenient all-purpose dodge.
But it was good to trade ideas with Hatfield and Van Horne, and to be able to put a human face on Nike — to see the man behind the curtain instead of the Wizard of Oz, so to speak. Only problem is, the curtain is covered in swooshes.
#1 by Warren Thompson on 06.21.06 7:57 am |
Oregon’s uniforms have to be among the butt-face ugliest ever, about as bad as BYU’s of several years ago (those obscenities in dark blue, white, and — gasp! — brown).
And why does any team need three different helmets?
#2 by Dave Provost on 06.21.06 8:01 am |
So, while I’m generally a traditionalist in Uni design (Penn State, Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Celtics, etc) I LOVE what they are doing at Oregon. It’s a guilty pleasure, and I would not like it if everyone was doing it, but at least they are trying something new and different. It’s like the Honda Element and Scion xB — you may not like the design, but you have to at least respect it for being daring and different.
#3 by Andrew on 06.21.06 8:08 am |
As soon as I saw those uniforms, I began to emit several loud shrieks. Just awful, but thank God they didn’t go with the assymetrical sleeves. I am a 19-year-old who hates these uniforms. The comment about how Nike catered to the athletes in the design of these uniforms reminds me of something I heard on an ESPN broadcast of a Va. Tech game after THEIR hideous assymetrical sleeves. According to the play-by-play guy, Frank Beamer basically said (I’m paraphrasing), “Yeah, the alumni hate the new sleeves, but the kids like them, especially kids we’re recruiting, so we’re gonna keep wearing ‘em.” Maybe I’m alone, but THIS college kid hates Tech’s one orange sleeve (although it isn’t as bad as Florida’s), and as soon as I heard that, I thought, “No wonder people think college kids are stupid.” Sadly, though, I may be alone, as all my friends who go to Tech seemed to like the new sleeves, and one of my friends once referred to the Seahawks’ unis as “sweet”. I fear for this country when my generation takes over, at least aesthetically.
#4 by cz on 06.21.06 8:11 am |
I agree, Oregon is nuts…but its always like what are they going to next its refreshing, but at the same time I’m glad they’re not my team
#5 by Ryan on 06.21.06 8:24 am |
I believe it is safe to say (or pray) that Universty Fashion design programs are football player free.
#6 by Lars on 06.21.06 8:31 am |
Horrid. Utterly and truly horrid.
A quick question…In college it is said most kids play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back, but doesn’t it seem like Nike - in its all too obvious self important way - believes they play more for the design and the logos? People will talk more about the unis than the team which is good for Nike (in a way) but maybe not so much for the U of Oregon. It will be hard to gain national respect in those costumes (the more I think about it those should not be called uniforms).
On a wierd side note, I kind of liked the one asymmetrical sleve look for the withe and green uni. I guess by these insane standards that one couled be considered more traditional with a little of the new style.
#7 by Brandon T. on 06.21.06 8:32 am |
The yellow helmet has GHOST FLAMES!!! Ghost flames! Wait, maybe nobody saw the all caps…
GHOST FLAMES!!!!!!!!!
Althought not so distinct in the group photo, the tapered uni numbers photo clarifies the feature.
http://static.flickr...
I’m not sure if I absolutely love it, or absolutely hate it. Just like Nike in general I suppose, because I loved the infestation of black into my team’s football uniforms back in the day, but now I’m offended at the notion. To some degree, I love what Nike is doing with Oregon’s uniforms, and at the same time it’s an atrocity to me. This inner battle just received some more fuel to the fire today…
#8 by Lars on 06.21.06 8:33 am |
It’s early. Please excuse the horrid typing in the above post. It is alomst as bad as those Oregon costumes.
#9 by Brandon T. on 06.21.06 8:46 am |
Another thought though…
Nike, please dump these uniforms in the sea.
http://www.iona.edu/...
And allow my beloved ‘Cats to wear this unis full-time.
http://www.secstore....
#10 by Jill on 06.21.06 8:53 am |
As a graphic designer, I can appreciate trying to take risks in design in order to stay cutting-edge. However, as a person with eyes, I cannot appreciate these uniforms. The color scheme is so offensive, it’s hard for me to figure out how much I would hate the design in more traditional colors. The green and black are way too close in value, and the yellow is just plain ridiculous. How can they feel tough dressed up like a radioactive lemon?
#11 by Micah on 06.21.06 8:58 am |
Well, I for one, think they are pretty cool, even those concept drawings of the mis-matched sleeves. And yes, I am 22 years of age, so I guess I would be considered “stupid.” Recruiting nowdays goes a lot toward a brand, whether people want to admit it or not. Some kids just prefer to wear Nike than say an adidas or Reebok. So, it does make sense to let “kids” design some unis and give input on stuff that they like. Paul, you are the luckiest man on earth to meet Tinker Hatfield, a legend at Nike. His designs of most of the 21 (and soon to come AJ XXII) Air Jordans are what put Nike on the map in the basketball world. Say what you want about some of his design philosophy, his Air Jordan branding could’t have been better.
#12 by Warren Thompson on 06.21.06 9:03 am |
#13 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 06.21.06 9:08 am |
paul, ive been waiting for this post and i think you know that.
i kinda divulged my allegiance to nike in yesterdays post.
ive wanted to have a sit down with tinker for a long time. pick his brain, you know?
but on a more serious note, if my math is correct, (and please dont jump on me if it isnt) they have a potential of 48 different combinations of pant, shirt and helmet?
so a freshman could theoretically go his entire college career without wearing the same uniform combination more than 1 time?
another question, i wonder if their red practice quarterback jerseys play on this as well?
my 2 cents…
#14 by Chris on 06.21.06 9:11 am |
I love that Nike is allowing the student athletes to contribute to the design of the uniform. The concern from Nike could have been “Let’s make a nice safe jersey that will sell.” Instead, they listed to voices not normally heard in corporate America and actually tried to satisfy their core group of users.
And we shouldn’t overlook the performance factors of the new jerseys. I’d love to hear from the players after a particularly hot / wet game to see if the new jerseys performed as expected
#15 by nybatt on 06.21.06 9:20 am |
I recently re-designed and re-modeled the football uniforms for the high school team I coach.. while I didn’t invite any comments from the 16-18 year olds on the squad, a few did get a glimpse of what I was doing… surprisingly, many loved the conservative look I was putting together… there is hope!!!
the only positives I could find with the oregon abominations were black cleats and grey facemasks… and even then they are not featured on every permutation!!!!
#16 by nybatt on 06.21.06 9:22 am |
by the way, was the “gangsta scowl” mandated by nike?? guess that goes along with the “warrior” mentality??!!??
#17 by Brandon T. on 06.21.06 9:36 am |
Rondo is simply wearing a t-shirt under his jersey. The t-shirt doesn’t bother me, what bothers me is the stripes on the collar and the overall piping on the side. Nike treats Kentucky basketball as though it were the “Oregon” of college basketball, when it should be treating it as the “Penn State”. The ‘78 uniforms were perfect Nike, please take them back and leave them there.
About the Oregon uniforms, why has Nike changed the shade of green they’re using? They’ve went from a lustrous, more vivid green…
http://www.nationalc...
To nearly (and dare I say?) olive drab green? At least keep the same shade of green.
#18 by Warren Thompson on 06.21.06 9:59 am |
While this will surely label me as geezer, old fart, reactionary, stick-in-the-mud, and mossback, I confess that I liked the Oregon uniforms of the 1940s and 50s. Shiny gold (not yellow) helmets and pants and Kelly green jerseys. Classy.
BTW there’s certainly nothing wrong with designers taking risks, being innovative, and all that. However, the result ought not be an affront to the human eye. (And if these new Oregon uniforms could make noises, they’d likely set to howling all the canines in the Pacific Northwest. :()
#19 by Joe Hilseberg on 06.21.06 10:01 am |
on this pic http://static.flickr... it looks like there is some sort of silver flame pattern on the Oregon helmet…is this correct? It’s looks too crisp to just be reflections from the lights.
And the number type is just horrible! Just look at #77 and try to make a case for having 2 different looking #7’s http://static.flickr...
#20 by AMS on 06.21.06 10:10 am |
it’s a shame…Oregon uniforms could be so nice, if done correctly…
#21 by Jill on 06.21.06 10:12 am |
I was unsure about the flames too, so I put the picture into a photo-editing program and messed with the colors. Sure enough - silver flames on the yellow helmet, but none that I could see on the green or white
#22 by mike on 06.21.06 10:13 am |
I’m an undergraduate at a D1 school, and it doesn’t suprise me at all that the rational behind these uniform decisions is that the players like them. I spoke to a handful of football players, and I was shocked how many of them really liked uniforms that I just assumed everyone hated. And so while I despise the decisions that Oregon makes, I do understand and respect them.
On the other hand, that doesn’t excuse the Cardinals and Bengals of the world.
#23 by Scott M.X. Turner on 06.21.06 10:30 am |
It’s rare that people who do nasty things are as nasty as the the worst things they do. So it’s not surprising that these fellers aren’t evil incarnate. But it does seem like they don’t grasp how problematic their whole approach is.
The Oregon uniforms are awful, but so awful they’re good. Like Plan 9 From Outer Space. Stupid as they are, at least they’re of this time, instead of today’s usual mashups of retro and contemporary designs.
Soliciting input from outside the exclusive Designers Club is, on the surface, good. But what did Nike expect today’s bling-crazed, macho-obsessed “student-athletes” to suggest? It’s not so much “input” as a guaranteed seal-of-approval to bolster Nike’s hoped-for street cred.
Props to Paul for soliciting Nike’s opinions…though it’s clear that anybody believing they’re on a deified mission is gonna wanna talk about it.
#24 by JTH on 06.21.06 10:43 am |
As hideous as the black, green and yellow jerseys are, I have to confess that I actually like the white one.
I think that those, along with the green helmets and green pants, could look pretty sharp. An all-white uni might be OK as well.
But why the hell aren’t the gold pants/jerseys the same color as the gold helmets? At least that’s how they look in this picture.
#25 by Rick V on 06.21.06 10:49 am |
How the heck do these monstrosities make the players feel “intimidating, like gladiators coming into the arena”?
I was unaware gladiators dress like this
#26 by Doug on 06.21.06 10:54 am |
I agree about the Kentucky uniforms. Alabama had that same ugly templete this yr also. I loved UK’s throwbacks but Alabama’s was better . I’ve been told the SEC will NOT allow us to wear them next season.
http://origin.xosn.c...
#27 by mark on 06.21.06 10:58 am |
the highlights (or in this case, the lowlights):
1. Different helmets is just absolutely a huge no-no. YOu just can’t do that. Uniforms provide uniformity (duh) part of which is being able to instantly recognize your team on the field - even if all you are looking at is a quick clip on ESPN.
2. no one has mentioned much about the gladiator terminology but that could be a real problem. in a society increasingly intolerant of violence, and in a sport that is becoming increasingly violent, the last thing we want is football to become today’s version of the gladiator games. it’s not, and it shouldn’t ever be. intimidation is okay, but simulating and consciously trying to look like the Roman blood baths isn’t a good idea. what’s next? putting a Nazi SS logo on a jersey might look intimidating but it wouldn’t be appropriate either.
3. the real trouble here is that NIKE seems to be in charge of what schools wear instead of the other way around. NIKE dictates and even when the school doesn’t like it they win. uni controversy will accompany any change but they seem absolutely determined to make over every team no matter what, no matter the outcry. one wonders who is pleased by their designs? how many like them, apart from the University that reaps millions for dressing their teams like clowns.
finally, I believe that forthwith Oregon be stripped of the term “uniform” and “costume” should be the official nomenclature for all uniwatch bloggging and posting regarding the travesty ocurring in the great northwest. if it isn’t uniform, then it isn’t A uniform.
#28 by alvarez on 06.21.06 10:59 am |
with all that oregon color non-coordination going on, i’m surprised that none of those geniuses at nike noticed that those thin little bands the warriors have on around their knees and elbows (because as a gladiator there’s nothing worse than when the backs of your knees get sweaty) come only in white or black… now how are they supposed to wear all green unis with black kneebands??? :-)
#29 by Bill on 06.21.06 11:03 am |
Ok let me get this over with, My eyes! My eyes, it BURNS! it BURNS!! Please make it go away. What ever happened to vertical stripes on the pants and horizonal strpes on the sleeves.
Giving the kids imput is fine. But shouldn’t there be an adult there to say NO! Too far. There has to be a line.
Any one else think that the new numbers look like the numbers from “Rollerball” (the first movie?
#30 by erica on 06.21.06 11:12 am |
I rather like the green/yellow/black color combos, but the full-bodied yellow uni is just too much for me.
Although, it does make them look more like Ducks…with the diamond plate on the green sleeves adding to a feather-look. That definately adds to the gladiator-like intimidation factor.
#31 by Warren Thompson on 06.21.06 11:23 am |
On the other hand, it might cause the opposing team to wet their pants laughing when the Ducks take the field in their new Nike “court-fool” costumes. ;)
#32 by Bill on 06.21.06 11:29 am |
At least NIKE has not come out with an assymetrical pant. OH God I hope they don’t read this then it will be my fault when it happens!
#33 by James Craven on 06.21.06 11:40 am |
They bite, blow, stink and suck all at one time.
And that’s saying a lot.
#34 by Matt Walker on 06.21.06 11:51 am |
As a designer, having a great amount of input from the client is a good thing. BUT…. it is your responsibility to the client to take the “suggestions” and create something that makes sense for all of the overall goals of the school. All clients have ideas, but that doesn’t mean they are good for the design. Sometimes the ideas they have are good, but you as the designer need to create the proper execution, which is the difference between the client and the designer. If they could execute their ideas properly, we as designers would be out of business. There are no metrics to see if these jerseys help recruiting as people here are suggesting (for every player who says they came because of Nike, how many do not?), but I cannot imagine the millions of dollars they will lose in merchandise sales. Which, as the designer, is irresponsible and reckless and doesn’t achieve the overall goals of the program, which is… TO MAKE MONEY!!
If the players came up with this, then what did the designers do? If putting a steel grade pattern on Duck Uniform to convey toughness is ok, then how blatantly literal can a design be to convey messages? What’s next? Little footballs all over the place so people know they are serious about football? Gimme a break!! Be creative, don’t be outrageous as a mask because you don’t have good ideas.
#35 by Rob on 06.21.06 12:00 pm |
I think its great that the university is willing to take chances in order to market themselves. If you think of it from that angle its a great move. When you turn on the TV there is never any doubt that Oregon is on TV.
The uniforms on the other hand are o.k. I would have not put the diamond plate stuff on them, but I do like all of the color combinations… It should be interesting, over the course of the season, how many different combos we see.
#36 by AMS on 06.21.06 12:31 pm |
This whole issue bothers me just because it seems as though Oregon has allowed themselves to become real-life models for Nike’s whims. Yeah, the players had some input, but doesn’t it seem as though these guys have become Nike’s guinea pigs? When did the shift from football program to fashion testing ground actually happen? If Nike, for some reason, decided that a frilly wasitband would really enhance football pants, would Oregon be sporting a yellow, white, and green version next year?
#37 by Chris In Carlsbad on 06.21.06 12:54 pm |
Great post Paul. I admire you for meeting face to face with the enemy and being able to keep an open mind to the travesties they are bestowing upon our eyes. Too bad we don’t have a president with the same qualities. But I digress.
What it comes down to is that Nike owns U of O and they pretty much tell them what to do and when to do it. I think they should change their mascot to the Puppets.
http://falsevisual.c...
#38 by Texas_Islander on 06.21.06 1:08 pm |
If they want to be so intimidating, then why are they called the Ducks?
Personnally even the asymetrical sleeve design, especially the white-on-white with green sleeve looks better than these designs. The asymetrical sleeve design might even be a huge improvement if the stupid diamond plating was removed.
#39 by JTH on 06.21.06 1:17 pm |
Because “Beavers” was already taken.
#40 by mike on 06.21.06 1:17 pm |
aside from the diamond plated look on the shoulders the uni’s really arent all that bad
ya gotta look tough when your mascot is a duck
new idea assymetrical jerseys AND pants
now thats an idea!
#41 by Dan on 06.21.06 1:51 pm |
Well, at least they’re creative. Numbers are terrible, and three helmets are ridiculous. Have a black uniform and a dark green uniform that almost look exactly the same is strange. I say use the yellow uniform for home, with the green helmet, but use the numbers that the head coach said he didn’t like. Away, go with the look they had in the Holiday bowl last year.
#42 by Gordon on 06.21.06 2:00 pm |
Personally, I love the designs.
But love it or hate it, at least you know it’s OREGON and it’s got you talking about the University of Oregon. I’m sure a TON of schools would LOVE to have that kind of public noteriety and name recognition from the casual fan…
Nebraska and Ohio State changed the stripes on their uniforms for the upcoming season…do you care? Do you notice? Could you tell who’s playing if you’re casually flipping through the channels on a lazy Saturday afternoon? Is it NC State, Ohio State, Rutgers, Louisville…?!?!?! Oregon doesn’t have that problem!!!
#43 by Warren Thompson on 06.21.06 2:03 pm |
Neither does Dr. Frankenstein’s monster ….
#44 by Matt Marrone on 06.21.06 2:07 pm |
Paul, would it have occurred to package designers that the word HEAT is in WHEATIES or is that a no-no?
http://blogs.nydaily...
#45 by dave on 06.21.06 2:08 pm |
Oregon is the only school that Nike has this much influence over, and that is because Phil Knight is THE biggest donor to the school. Not just to Oregon’s sports programs, but the school in general. When you’re donating millions upon millions of dollars to a university, you’re going to be able to do stuff like this. They may have gotten Va Tech and Florida to go with the mismatched sleeves, but I dont think you’ll ever see those schools go to the extent that Oregon has.
#46 by Kahler on 06.21.06 2:22 pm |
Does any other school incorporate the primary color or its arch-rival in its uniform, like Oregon does by wearing black?
Does USC wear light blue? Does Washington weat crimson, or Wazu purple?
Hatfield can spin things any way he wants, but these uniforms and helmets are ugly, ugly, ugly. But we’ve come to expect that from Nike U.
#47 by L. Vasquez on 06.21.06 2:28 pm |
I feel very honored to hold the privilege of being insulted by one of my favorite sports-writers/weirdos. Great stuff, keep up the good work!
#48 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 06.21.06 2:36 pm |
any info on whether the tampa bay bucs have changed uniform typeface on their game uniforms as well?
here are the extended sleeve vest jerseys they are wearing in minicamp…
WHITE
RED
#49 by Micah on 06.21.06 2:39 pm |
Dave has got it right. Phil Knight is an alma mater of Oregon so that’s why we see so much different variations of uniforms and the amount of influence Nike has on the university. Yes, in essence, Oregon is the testing ground for new Nike products, such as the air-cooled bladder vest system that their players wore in 2002. If you get millions of dollars in improvements to your stadiums, the best locker room that even rivals some of the major sport leagues, free and innovative equipment, then you are going to willingly put yourself to the test with different uniforms. In this case, it really is about the money.
#50 by Ryan on 06.21.06 2:41 pm |
#51 by Joshua on 06.21.06 3:12 pm |
Oregon’s football unis are a travesty and crime against college football and its traditions. Not only do they go against concept of football uni design, but they took their already extreme colors and made them worse. As a 20 year old, I would never think of designing something like that, let alone be caught wearing that. I would transfer! It would be interesting to see what the alumni thinks of their uni designs.
Different helmets is a big red flag. Only one helmet for all uniforms is the unwritten standard for football. Baylor tried it last year (letting the players make the helmet decision) and they stomped all over tradition (and it will be the same next year too). Oregon needs to know how to say no to Nike and no to the players and stick to tradition.
#52 by Matt C on 06.21.06 3:18 pm |
All these changes - the steel grade pattern on the shoulders, the dynamic number font, even the sketch on the original post - seem to be following the athletes-as-superheroes motif we’ve been seeing a lot of lately (see: Kobe/Wade/LeBron in tights). Nike and Oregon seem to be working pretty hard to depict their athletes as gridiron superheroes and I don’t doubt that the players who gave their input want to look and feel like a team of supermen. I can’t say I agree with this trend; I think the depiction of athletes, especially college athletes, as übermensch sitting above us mere mortals is a dangerous thing. I think Sport is something greater than any of us, and I wish I saw a little more respect for that in the way sports and athletes are marketed.
That said, as long as the Ducks went in the superhero direction we should all be thankful they didn’t gravitate towards this.
#53 by Lars on 06.21.06 3:19 pm |
Looking at the fact that there have been 50+ posts I think that the University of Nike in Oregon got what they wanted with these costumes. We know who makes them. We are talking about them. We will be talking about them throughout the season. I am not up on my PAC10 projections, but I don’t think UNO is supposed to go very far this year so it is a way to get people to talk about an also-ran team.
Living in Buckeye Country I can tell you that it is true that 95% of the people here do not know that OSU changed their jerseys, but I would guess 99% also don’t care. It was not drastic and the focus is on a National Title with our returning offense. UNO has no such hopes, but they will double OSU’s preseason press with these costumes.
It is a means to an end in any case.
#54 by JTH on 06.21.06 3:22 pm |
In the late ’90s, Indiana added black (big surprise) as a dominant color for footbal. Purdue’s colors are black and old gold.
They scrapped this about five years ago, when the university decided that all of its teams would wear cream and crimson (the official school colors — what a novel concept.)
And Duke has the black basketball jerseys. Is Wake Forest considered Duke’s arch-rival? Don’t they wear black and gold?
#55 by Grant on 06.21.06 3:23 pm |
As bad as the are, the whining in the comments is even more pitiful. The kids like them, or else they wouldn’t be wearing them. That’s how it works in play-for-no-pay athletics, get over yourselves.
It’s easy to switch and the uniform gods have a short memory. Witness the Bucs. Come down off the ledge you cranky bastiges.
Kids never appreciate much in the way of classics. If you think a h.s. senior is going to wish his Scion were a Metropolitan, you’re living in a snow globe called the past. Go beat your wife, fire back some brown liquor and crash out in your Barcalounger.
Does anyone remember the pre-Nike onslaught Oregon togs? Maybe having garish-to-ugly futuristic and unique uniforms is Oregon’s brand niche, maybe they’re fine with that. Put down the Chesterfields, go breath some clean air.
Now, what I want to know is if Nike’s designers have considered the counterbalancing effect of the opponent having their own confidence boosted by realizing they’re playing a bunch of guys who look like clowns.
#56 by JTH on 06.21.06 3:24 pm |
Yeah, I guess those links don’t work. But trust me — the helmets were black and now they are crimson.
#57 by Grant on 06.21.06 3:25 pm |
All of your examples are black. Black is an accent color that teams have added in the last 20 years to toughen or bolden up their image, not to steal chromatic thunder from a rival.
#58 by Chaz on 06.21.06 3:29 pm |
Does that yellow helmet have freakin’ silver flames on it? And it’s too bad you couldn’t have gotten in a Barrett-like sucker punch to one of these bigwigs. And I’m 21, and trust me I love tradition and loath these.
#59 by Tedrow on 06.21.06 3:33 pm |
Question regarding the O/Bellotti number set: Was it a conscious decision to leave ‘18′ as the only non-tapered number? If so, reason?
#60 by Matthew on 06.21.06 3:38 pm |
Great Jim Rome impression by Grant.
I think I’ve vomited shades of the same colors that now make up Oregon’s uniforms.
In all seriousness, the black and green isn’t bad, but the yellow is atrocious. Make it a darker, more golden yellow and maybe they’ll have something.
One thing I’ve noticed is that uniforms tend to grow on people. I went to SMU and I hated when in 2002, they changed their uniforms from a unique design to one that imitated Ole Miss. But, with a few very minor changes (e.g. some white outlining around the red Mustang on the blue helmet) and red home uniforms with white pants instead of the dark blue all over, I’ve come to like the current scheme over the previous.
I guess my only problem with the Oregon uniforms (other than the hideous shade of yellow chosen) that they’re too busy. Like the Houston Rockets jerseys from 1996-2003 or so, there’s too much going on.
#61 by JTH on 06.21.06 3:39 pm |
Sure, in some cases, such as adding black stripes to a red helmet or blue jersey. But a red logo on a black helmet or blue numbers on a black jersey make black a dominant color.
#62 by Matt on 06.21.06 3:40 pm |
Chances are if the players like it, then non-athletes the same age and younger will like it. And that’s the objective- the appeal to the kids. It’s why Fox and CBS and other TV companies make broadcasts look like video games with all their stupid sound effects and graphics, and why Nike will continue to come out with such silly uniforms- because it’s what the kids want. If you’re old enough to remember the USFL, New Coke, or the first President Bush, then your opinion doesn’t matter, to Nike or the TV networks.
#63 by Morton on 06.21.06 4:20 pm |
Lost in all of this is the fact that, in college sports, there’s one really good reason to let the players have input into uni designs: Recruiting. If letting the players choose the jersey colour creates (in the minds of potential recruits) the impression of a program that values players’ interests, said program gains a competitive advantage.
#64 by Laura M. on 06.21.06 4:21 pm |
I have been attending Oregon football games since I was about a month old and I have seen a lot of transformations of our uniform. I remember when we moved to the Joey Harrington era uniforms and the huge uproar when that happened, what I would give now to have those uniforms back.
On another note, it was really cool to be standing in the marching band tunnels before the game started at the Civil War and having the team run out in the ugly uniforms, the crowd went nuts, and it made us feel really excited about the game. However, I think that one game is okay, but these uniforms are over the top. I just hope Nike doesn’t have anything in store for my band that is worse than the football uniforms.
#65 by Stevie K on 06.21.06 4:36 pm |
Those jersey numbers remind me a little of the original “Rollerball” unis http://www.moviestor...
#66 by Kahler on 06.21.06 4:47 pm |
Duke’s azrch-rival in hoops is Carolina, not Wake. You make sure to call me when you see Duke wearing Carolina-blue uniforms, OK?
Black ceases to be an “accent” color when it covers half or more of the uniform.
Indiana got it right. Use the officiala school colors, not those that are Nike-approved.
#67 by JTH on 06.21.06 4:58 pm |
I always thought, historically speaking, that NC State was UNC’s true archrival.
#68 by Micah on 06.21.06 5:16 pm |
Oh heck no!! Duke vs. UNC is the biggest and best college rivalry in basketball. There is no way that NC State even approaches that level.
Morton, great point about the recruiting too.
#69 by Kevin on 06.21.06 5:35 pm |
These uniforms wouldn’t be so bad if they picked one helmet, two jerseys, and one or two pairs of pants.
The best comment of all was the one that mentioned the 48 different combinations. Very well said.
#70 by Jeremy on 06.21.06 5:40 pm |
Tradition? Who’s Tradition?
Those uni’s are BRILLIANT! Sure has us all talking!
As in Hollywood, no publicity is bad publicity!
Good for Oregon!
#71 by Bryan S on 06.21.06 6:11 pm |
As much as I hate the logo creep, and the terrible looking jerseys, I do think that it’s good to see something new, even if it is horrible… Hey, I mean Paul wouldn’t have much of a job just talking about the same things over and over *btw, I am now a stirrup addict* if there weren’t some new things do discuss.
I like that Nike is willing to try new things, and while the student-athletes may not be the best ones to ask, it’s nice to see that not all of their decisions are coming from a boardroom on the 20th floor.
And THANK GOD that they aren’t trying anything like this on the pros, I mean, let’s be real here… It’s Oregon football… big deal.
#72 by Tom on 06.21.06 6:31 pm |
No matter how you slice it the oregon unis are a disaster. Using Nike logos as an accent really doesn’t work. Also the diamond plate has no place on a football field, especially since its done in silver, which is not one of oregons colors. The funny thing is if it wasn’t for the little gismos on them they’d actually stand a chance of looking good. It seems that too many teams these days are opting for large blocks of color (see the new Vikings Unis and the AZ Cardinals) as oposed to the more traditional striping (Bears, Packers and Steelers). I find this to be a disturbing trend that is stripping away the unique character of team unis.
#73 by Bob on 06.21.06 7:48 pm |
These are the silliest looking uniforms made yet by Nike. First of all the shoulder pattern looks like the patterns seen on truck bed liners and has no useful purpose at all except to remind players that they need to a car oil change soon. The three helmets are a bit much. This is going to be a nightmare for players/equipment managers to keep track of. The numbers look like something from the first-year art student’s recreation of the uniforms from the movie Roller Ball. They look like my seven year old was doodling and sent it to Nike as a joke.
Uniforms are the only thing that link several generations of teams together and these uniforms (like the 1960 Denver Broncos’ brown and white vertical-stripped socks) need to publicly burned. Oregon can simply look at an old press guide to find an appropriate replacement.
#74 by Dan on 06.21.06 7:48 pm |
I loved the pic of the Oregon marching band uniforms from last fall. Any updates for them?
#75 by Bob on 06.21.06 8:25 pm |
If I was a recruit, I would want to look cool. USC, FSU, MIchigan, UCLA, cool uni’s. I would be embarrassed to be seen in these.
#76 by foley on 06.21.06 8:46 pm |
I happen to love the new jersey Nike designed for Oregon, but I am 14 and modern the yellow one looks like a highlighter though(my least favorite) the green and black are sweet. The white one is cool too it looks like an Ipod. If they mix and match there could be 48 possibilities
#77 by Ian on 06.21.06 9:48 pm |
Okay… I just sat down and saw this, and I haven’t read all of the replies, but…
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Nike is making the Ducks look fluffing rediculous, taken a good looking team and made them look ugly, and made the U of O athletic department look like fools.
Thank God I’m an OSU fan…
#78 by Jim on 06.21.06 9:57 pm |
The University of Nike should just replace the O on the helmets with the swoosh. Someone earlier had it right, these aren’t uniforms, they’re costumes. Everything that’s wrong about the rampant commercialization of college sports is shown in that first picture.
I remember when Oregon actually had a logo that reflected the nickname. What is there about diamond plate, silver flames and tapered numbers that says “ducks”?
As much as you don’t like purple, at least you knew what the Anaheim hockey team was the (Mighty) Ducks.
#79 by joe d. on 06.21.06 10:10 pm |
The white uni’s look good, the rest of them are not so good. But man, those cleats are totally sweet !!!!!!
#80 by smcs on 06.21.06 10:13 pm |
There are actually 96 possible combinations because they are wearing two different types of shoes white shoes (with black swooshes) and green shoes (with yellow swooshes). Has anyone cared to count up all the swooshes that are visible? I stopped once I got past 10
#81 by Bo on 06.21.06 11:52 pm |
Don’t understand the black version for a school with green and yellow as colors, but whatever. I do think they are cutting edge design and will gather attention typically monopolized by USC in the Pacific time zone. Apparently the guys on the team were involved in the design, and at my age I don’t understand teenagers wearing their jeans low enough to show their crack, so don’t think I’m qualified to judge what young guys want in uniform appearance.
#82 by Bo on 06.22.06 12:04 am |
Look what that truck bed liner on the shoulder looks like on a foggy night in late November.
http://cache.nmn.spe...
Photo shows that the material on shoulder pads and knee pads is reflective. Perhaps helps a QB pick out a receiver in those kind of weather conditions?
#83 by Adam on 06.22.06 12:56 am |
good find…could it be that there is a purpose to those stupid things? I almost like the all white unis…I wonder what helmet they’ll pair them with…although as someone suggested earlier, they can just about just a different combo every game for a 4 year career…of course by their senior year this year’s freshmen will be wearing even more ridiculous uniforms…
#84 by mark on 06.22.06 1:02 am |
what if Nike U played Oregon State on Boise State’s field? that’s right: those green costumes versus the Beaver’s in orange ON A SMURF BLUE FIELD!
oh, the humanity!
#85 by Laura M. on 06.22.06 1:29 am |
There are no updates to the marching band uniforms, I am the outgoing uniform manager for the band. Although we might need new head pieces soon because our helmets are getting beat up. If you want to see some pictures of our uniforms close up go to http://www.uoregon.e... This will take you to the marching band council website. Enjoy!
#86 by Darryl on 06.22.06 2:05 am |
I am a 7 year Oregon football season ticket holder. Each year I get more and more embarrassed for the program. What is Oregon known for? Unis. Not the fact that, win wise, they’re the most successful program on the West Coast over the last 15+ years. Which is pathetic. Even more pathetic is this latest design. At this point, I am done supporting the program and will look to sell my 06-07 season tickets…which are already paid for. Great, the players will feel invincible…while being the laughing stock of uniforms around the friggin WORLD! Horrible. Does fake chrome on the shoulders and knees really make someone feel tough? I am pretty much fuming right now…which will eventually temper a little. But man, give me a break…
#87 by Mat on 06.22.06 3:03 am |
Uh, actually all I hear is pissing and moaning about the piping on the OSU jerseys.
And by the way, hate to break it to you, but with that defense, OSU is nowhere near a national title this year. Next year might be different. Personally, I am not expecting Oregon to replicate last season’s 10-2 season this year, but this team is built to make a run for a title in 07, especially if they get past Michigan in Ann Arbor (which would make even a Buckeye proud). Hell, you might even sport a Lightning Yellow jersey if/when that happens. :-)
#88 by chris on 06.22.06 10:24 am |
The numbers are made to contour to the shape of an athlete. Broad at the top(SHoulder pads), small at the bottom (waist). They will look great on smaller players liek WR QB RB and DB’s. The numbers wont look liek they are falling off towards the back.
Chris
#89 by JJD on 06.22.06 10:24 am |
As a proud Washington Husky-alum, I feel obligated to comment on these new jerseys of our most hated rivals.
I actually LIKE the all white jersey, maybe because that guy in the pic looks a LOT like Vince Young, down to the knee support. I’d rather they stuck with the green helmets with the white, but they’ll look just like Texas if they go all-white.
I don’t mind the number-style, especially in light of the above post showing the Bucs’ practice jerseys. Washington changed their numbers font from a traditional serif-font like Michigan to a (Ozzie Guillen-descriptive here)-rounded number-style that works on all the UW apparel EXCEPT football. (Hopefully they are changing back this year.) The problem is the outlines make the numbers look worse, ESPECIALLY the yellow shirt that has silver outlines around the green numbers. Ugh.
The previous Oregon duds grew on me, especially the yellow shirt/green pants-combo, and their basketball team looks SHARP, especially in their all-green road get-ups, so hopefully they don’t carry this over to other sports. (Although a softball team in similar uniforms is amusing to visualize.)
I REALLY REALLY REALLY hate the steel-plate pattern, though. That’s what RUINS these jerseys for me. Ick.
#90 by JJD on 06.22.06 10:27 am |
Aw crap, I forgot my comment about the different helmets. Although the yellow one is silly with the flames and all, I like them. The Cougars had a similar thing going where they wore red helmets with their white jerseys and silver helmets with their red jerseys (during the Jason Gesser-era, not last year though) and I always thought they looked GREAT, especially when we kicked their butts every year.
(Although thinking about it now, they stopped doing that last year and broke a six-year losing streak to UW. Hmmmm.)
#91 by Tom O'Grady on 06.22.06 10:43 am |
Name Change-
The Oregon YUCKS.
I had a ton of respect for their design team in the mid 90’s…
Rodney Richardson. Ken Black. Eric Bodamer. Jannet Nichols, Matt Park adn Chris McClure…they must all be gone now.
Holy bad taste Batman…what the hell happened? Did the Illustrator program crash during downloding final files?
Tom O’Grady
#92 by Todd on 06.22.06 2:06 pm |
I’m a big Duck fan and the unis are horrible, but as a long time Duck fan I along with 50,000 other people would love to buy your tickets. The Ducks can wear purple, pink, and brown with a toy rubber duck mascot for all I care. The Ducks will continue to get my support regardless of what they wear.
#93 by Jared on 06.22.06 2:22 pm |
Those practive jerseys have been around for at least the last year (actually I think the last 2….) It was stated that the font is to be used ONLY on the practice jerseys …..
#94 by Kahler on 06.22.06 2:46 pm |
Hey Mr. Bandman,
You guys look like SS storm troopers in those stupid helmets. When does the invasion of Poland begin?
#95 by James Craven on 06.22.06 3:51 pm |
OH, SNAP!
#96 by James Craven on 06.22.06 3:53 pm |
OH, DOUBLE SNAP!
#97 by James Craven on 06.22.06 3:55 pm |
Those Oregon Unis make me like Penn Stae’s “boring” no-frills unis even better.
#98 by Stephen Smith on 06.22.06 4:26 pm |
Isn’t it great that people think they have a right to dictate what other people can and can’t do? I love the new uniforms, and the mere fact that Oregon’s uniforms cause you people anxiety makes them worthwhile.
Uniformity in the sense of team doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing every day, and Oregon is already one of the most recognized teams in the NCAA.
Sure, Oklahoma has classy and traditional uniforms, but if you’re flipping channels and come across them on TV, you may find yourself straining to see if it IS the Sooners, or if it’s Indiana, or Alabama, or Texas A&M, or any of a dozen similar-looking teams.
Nike is footing the bill, and Oregon agreed to change their uniforms every three or four seasons under the agreement.
I love ‘em, and the more they bother all of you “stodgemeisters”, the better.
By the way, the yellow helmet is still in development, and may or may not have “ghost flames” in its final version.
#99 by steve on 06.22.06 10:10 pm |
fyi the diamond plating is in titanium not steel or chrome. I hope they end up making all the facemasks in titanium as well; it was in the early designs. It looks awesome under the lights imho.
#100 by Justin P. on 06.22.06 10:41 pm |
Best uniforms ever created. Why are all you guys hating? I think your just jelous of how much better they look then everyone elses.
#101 by Jack H. on 06.22.06 11:05 pm |
I must say, I hate Nike, but I like what they did with Michigan State’s basketball uniforms, especially bringing back the “State” on the front. But I do hate some of this crap that they do with teams like Oregon or Florida or BYU (atrocious. The royal and white was so classy, then Nike just medded it up).
#102 by Bobby D on 06.22.06 11:41 pm |
I feel for Oregon’s players, but some have gone on record saying they like that crap. Buwahahahahahaahaha. Go ahead and convince yourself that those are nice designs, Quackers, but those plain suck!
What’s up with the steel-bumper-looking graphics (shoulders and knees) anyway? Make those rubber and you might be onto something there….like crack! = D
#103 by Bobby D on 06.23.06 2:26 am |
Some of the Air Jordans are plain hideous, e.g. III, IV, V, XV, XVI, XVII, etc.
The 11s were one the best designs ever for a b.ball sneak. Overall I think the newer the shoes got the uglier they got. With so many resources and money they had available I would disagree, I think the over designs of Jordan sig shoe is not good at all. I think a lot of guys bought them because they had Jordan’s name on them and then later thought, ‘Why the h—l did I buy these ugly as- sneaks? > link
#104 by Bobby D on 06.23.06 2:28 am |
linl
#105 by Kyle on 06.23.06 3:16 am |
How many other college football teams have such long articles written about their uniforms with all of these people commenting?
How many other college football teams are even being talked about right now at such a national level?
Oregon’s mission: complete
#106 by Chris Mayberry on 06.23.06 7:37 am |
Paul, call me old-fashioned, but I think those are the ugliest uniforms in the history of athletic competition. Is Oregon counting on winning games by having the opposition collapse in helpless laughter? Nausea-Inducing Klothing Emporium strikes again!
#107 by Micah on 06.23.06 11:53 am |
Bobby D, I didn’t say the designs themselves were all good; I said the branding was great. But, how can you hate on the III and V???? That is absoutely ludicrous, IMO. Of course, everyone sees design differently, so apparent in this long comment section about people’s different views of the Oregon unis.
#108 by Blenkinsop on 06.23.06 12:46 pm |
The Ducks can wear pink and/or lavendar; as long as they win the National Championship! Seriously, I like some of them especially the all white. The numbers are great. Now if they will only revert back to the larger properly spaced letters on the back, (players names). Then GO DUCKS
#109 by pants on 06.23.06 12:57 pm |
I’m not a fan of most of Nike’s recent shoe or clothing design. With that said, I kinda love these uniforms. I think they managed to bring the football uniform into the 21st century without over-doing it, common with most redesigns.
My only disagreements with these unis are I’m not diggin the pale yellow, and diamondplate mesh on the knees might be a little too much for me. Team name on the pants? Kinda hard!
(But yeah, the flame detail on the helmets might be a sucky move.)
#110 by Micah on 06.23.06 2:19 pm |
Wish I woulda found this the day Paul wrote this article, but here is an interesting read on the unis from GoDucks.com
EUGENE – The University of Oregon football team will utilize a new look in 2006 that promises to be unique in the world of college football as well as striving to enhance the performance of those players wearing them.
The Ducks’ game-day apparel will consist of four different colors of jerseys and pants to go along with three different helmets Oregon is expected to wear at some point during the coming season.
But of greater importance is the advanced design and technology of the uniforms will help to diminish the weight of the uniforms by 2