Yesterday I mentioned that Bolivar High in Missouri wears a yellow decal on the left side of their helmet and a white uni number on the right, and asked if anyone knew of any football teams with mismatched helmet decals.
It turns out that this basic format — logo on one side, uni number on the other — is hardly unique in the world of high school football. Within hours of yesterday’s post going up, readers had identified several similar schools, including Kings High School in suburban Cincinnati (logo, uni number), Fort Madison High in Iowa (logo, uni number), Wooster High in Ohio, and La Salle High in Milwaukie, Oregon. Several other readers said they knew of additional examples but didn’t have photos.
Granted, that’s not a huge number of schools, but it’s a lot more than the number of pro or college teams that design their helmets this way (i.e., zero). I was about to ask if anyone knew why this trope appears to be limited to the high school ranks when it hit me: merchandising. High schools don’t sell replica helmets, helmet-shaped ice buckets, helmet-shaped lamps, or any of that other crap. If they did, they’d probably want the school logo on both sides. Just another case of the merchandising tail wagging the uni dog.
Thanks to all who contributed, especially Matt Lanzoff, Scott Mason, and Tim Snyder.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Speaking of high school football, if for some reason I had to go back to high school, I’d try to enroll at Sullivan South in Tennessee, where they know a thing or two about how to dress a football team (except maybe for that facemask, but don’t tell Blane Gallatin I said that, since he’s the one who provided the photo). … According to this article, Reebok’s new NHL uni template will be unveiled at this season’s All-Star Game (which means we’ve all got three months to perfect our suicide plans). … Boston College coach Tom O’Brien has a small quip about FSU’s all-black unis at the very bottom of this article (with thanks to James Harvey). … Nice little uni-centric blog entry, including a look at the NFL’s old uniform and equipment guidelines, available here. … Todd Krevanchi notes that UConn’s women’s hoops team is switching from this to this. … And Jonathan Carone reports that Liberty now looks like this (here’s another view). … We all know by now that the Cowboys have two different sets of silver pants. But Ryan Mackman wonders if they were mixing and matching last Sunday, or if it was just the way the light was reflecting on that shot. … The best thing about last night’s Mets/Cards rainout is that it gives me another excuse to link to this. … Great soccer tidbit from RJ Charles, who writes: “Interesting occurrence in England this past weekend. Chelsea had two goalkeepers injured during their game vs. Reading, forcing captain John Terry to don the third-string goalkeeper’s jersey and protect the net for the final minutes of the game. His usual uni number is 26, but the jersey he put on had No. 40. Too bad Reading couldn’t even get a shot off on him before the game ended.” … Always good to hear from Uni Watch Tennessee bureau chief (and Ralph Lauren Polo devotee) Luke Pellegra, who reports that the Tennessee hoops team, which previously looked like this, is adding some completely unnecessary black trim this season. Different side panels, too (old, new). Looks like they have some typographic issues to work out on the numeral “2,” however, at least judging by the media day pics — compare this to this (the latter of which matches the style used last season) … Speaking of media day photo shoots, here are some more shots of those crummy new OSU unis (tip o’ the cap to Michael Keys). … Good observation by Chaz Noerenberg, who notes that the uni number of Matt Leinart’s jersey clearly has a white edge, while many of his teammates’ numbers don’t. Noerenberg thinks this indicates that the black trim on Leinart’s number “must be screened onto the white twill, much the way the Swingman replicas are produced,” but I think maybe it’s just a case of crummy quality control. Joe Hilseberg, if you’re reading this, fill us in! … Did Neil Rackers have a Band-Aid on his forehead last night? … New ESPN column tomorrow (a day earlier than usual), and I don’t mind telling you that it’s a doozy. Seriously, people, prepare to have your little uni-centric worlds rocked to the core — this one’s gonna be big.
#1 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 8:27 am |
alright fristies… great talk yeasterday about towels despite not being uni related
#2 by Matthew on 10.17.06 8:32 am |
No inaugural patchon the Cards unis last night.
Was that a one game only thing?
#3 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 8:33 am |
and i made paul’s entry aren’t i a pimp.. ;-)…
any body really understadn what these hockey jerseys suit will look like… are we talking as form fitting as football or somewhere in between?
#4 by Kevin A. on 10.17.06 8:35 am |
i would think putting a players number on his helment to merchandise it would sell better b/c a person could actually “have” his favorite players helmet instead of just a Jaguars helmet or something
#5 by Beefalo on 10.17.06 8:39 am |
Anyone else notice a similarity between the new Ohio State hoops look and the Houston Rockets?
#6 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 8:51 am |
ah yes but if your and eagles fan and went out and got a TO helmet product you’d be up a creek…
sports are to temporary now a day… only baseabll and hockey fans have the opportunity to wear jersey with out committing a nice chunck of change to a specific player…
i thnks that part of the reason for the popularity of the throwback… its a chance to wear the number of a guy who won’t be signed by your rival when his contract is up…
#7 by Chris Doran on 10.17.06 8:54 am |
Not sure what, but I guarantee most of us will probably be queasy when we see them…
I was fearing the new uniforms, but that article just made my dread worse…
#8 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 9:01 am |
the article mentioned teams wearing them in the olympics any pics out there?
#9 by Kevin on 10.17.06 9:15 am |
First off, they are sweaters, not jerseys. Secondly, the way I have come to think about the new sweaters is that they will be tighter than this season, but looser than football jerseys. Currently, if a player raises his arm, there is a bunch of extra fabric there. I would guess next season that, along with the hemline at the bottom, will be tightened up a little bit.
I’m not sure comparing them to the Olympic sweaters is appropriate, since those were created by Nike, but here are some pictures anyway.
#10 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 10.17.06 9:18 am |
dude, as much as i hate to use this term (along with abomination and monstrocity), im going to use it now. i laughed out loud on that last comment…
New ESPN column tomorrow (a day earlier than usual), and I don’t mind telling you that it’s a doozy. Seriously, people, prepare to have your little uni-centric worlds rocked to the core — this one’s gonna be big.
sounds like you have been stock piling shared info that wasnt to be leaked out like elaine stock piled today sponges…
#11 by Peter Wunsch on 10.17.06 9:27 am |
Hockey-related question: The NY rangers have two Wards on their roster. Aaron and Jason. Jason’s sweater reads J. Ward and Aaron’s reads Ward. Does anyone know why the one is missing an A?
#12 by ESS on 10.17.06 9:27 am |
For those of you interested in NHL logos and the stories behind them, just thought I’d mention that the Hockey News’ annual glossy was delivered yesterday (All Access is the theme this year) and for every team they explain the genesis of the logo and team name, along with the arena.
#13 by skott on 10.17.06 9:30 am |
i’m very worried about any new hockey jerseys…the BEST uni’s all have great stripes - Boston, Phoenix, Montreal, Chicago…
are we totally screwed here?
i would think that an NFL team would LOVE to have a number on the helmet for just the reason you gave - to have to buy a new one once the player left because he was “disrespected” by team XX’s offer…get a new player, new number, new helmet and jersey for fan YY to buy.
just thinking about throwbacks - i LOVED the old Eagles white helmets. w/ the green wings? great stuff.
college basketball kind of sucks even without the cookie cutter Nike b.s. uni’s but its even that much worse, now. at least for me.
that little crying mr. mets old school logo is going to hopefully marry me some day.
i love the Lukas tease for the new espn column.
#14 by Jill on 10.17.06 9:31 am |
Not cool how easy it is to see through those shorts on the OSU unis. Luckily in this picture you can only see the tucked in jerseys through the shorts. During the season though, you might see much more than you really want to.
#15 by JJD on 10.17.06 9:33 am |
Thumbs up to the new UConn womens’ hoops unis, even if they are out of the you-know-who template they are an improvement.
I also like the Ohio State uniforms. There, I said it.
#16 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 9:38 am |
speaking of mr. met who come first him or him
#17 by Nick on 10.17.06 9:40 am |
I don’t know why, but the Blackhawks have the same thing going with Duncan Keith wearing ‘Keith’ on the bakc of his sweater and Matt Keith wearing ‘M. Keith.’
I know in this case, Duncan’s a more established player on the NHL level, and Matt will likley be back and forth to the AHL, but Jason Ward was in NY before Aaron, so that doesn’t seem to work the same.
I’m dreading the new NHL jerseys. As a porly person, hockey jerseys work just fine for me at this point. I’m not really looking to wear anything form-fitting.
Plus the thought of more jerseys that look like the Buffaslug make me wanna cry.
#18 by Plasters on 10.17.06 9:42 am |
why do people want to re-live this?
#19 by Kevin from Ohio in Virginia on 10.17.06 9:42 am |
Paul! Caught you in a bit of a hiccup. There’s no such thing as division 1-AA in basketball. Liberty does play division 1-AA football, so I can see how the confusion happened.
#20 by Plasters on 10.17.06 9:47 am |
slug-a-bolt?
#21 by Richard on 10.17.06 9:55 am |
Paul - this is perfect for you…no black
#22 by Richard on 10.17.06 9:55 am |
and kevin, you forgot to close the bold tag…
#23 by Kyle on 10.17.06 9:58 am |
Because then his sweater would say, “Award?”
#24 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 10:03 am |
so go with Aa. Ward… that’d be different but the rnager equipment folks have enough issues
#25 by BJ on 10.17.06 10:07 am |
Paul, give the kid a break with his facemask. It’s just the way it is with those newfangled helmets.
#26 by mavkato on 10.17.06 10:08 am |
I seem to remember a few years ago, the Vancouver Canucks had Henrik and Daniel Sedin on their team, and I thought both jerseys said “Sedin” with no initials at all.
#27 by Miguel on 10.17.06 10:10 am |
I can’t believe a 1997 Raptors jersey is considered “retro”.
#28 by The Ol Goaler on 10.17.06 10:11 am |
For the “Ditch the Black” Mets fans… the Mets lost to the Cardinals while wearing black, and beat the Cardinals while wearing the more-traditional road grays. So, what’s it to be tonight? As a slightly superstitious Card fan, I hope the Mets wear the black, and the Baseball Uni Gods properly punish them with a loss! (grin)
#29 by b. cheng on 10.17.06 10:12 am |
I thought if anything from last night’s Bears-Cardinals game would be referenced, it would be the Cardinal punter’s truly unique one bar helmet.
#30 by Matt on 10.17.06 10:13 am |
speaking of mr. met who come first him or him?
Or this guy?
#31 by Paul Lukas on 10.17.06 10:17 am |
I’m too lazy to look that up right now. But check this out: If you look at the Mr. Met illo, you’ll see that his eyes are comprised of teeny little baseball diamonds. How cool is that?!!
#32 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 10:17 am |
or perhaps him
#33 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 10:20 am |
very cool when you consider this guys freaky eyes!!
#34 by dchis on 10.17.06 10:37 am |
#35 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 10:41 am |
well it look like mr. red was first… this logo is from 1960… and the reds are bringing back the handle bar stache this year
#36 by Perry on 10.17.06 10:44 am |
#37 by Mark on 10.17.06 10:45 am |
okay, a little quick and dirty research shows that, what i like to call the “classic Mr. Red” made his first appearance in 1955.
mr. met’s birthday is listed as April 11, 1962 according to the Met’s marketing department (found on Wikipedia).
if anyone has any info to the contrary, feel free to correct me. as far as the freaky orange puffball, i am not too sure when he came into being.
#38 by Perry on 10.17.06 10:50 am |
#39 by Gary on 10.17.06 10:53 am |
My HS did the logo on one side, numbers on the other back in the early 90’s. We also did the monochrome uniform thing back then, a rather hideous look for us. Thankfully, this ugly logo only lasted a year (we had different helmets every year I was in high school, no joke) Here is a pic, you can see the logo, but you can’t see the numbers on the other side… Also quite thankfully, this is an away game, so you don’t get to see the joy that is the Smurf outfit….
#40 by Gary on 10.17.06 10:58 am |
OK, pic link was in the wrong place… how bout this. Linky
#41 by DJL on 10.17.06 11:16 am |
The Archbishop Hoban High School football team in Akron, Ohio spray paints their cleats/turfshoes solid gold.
#42 by Oakdale Panther on 10.17.06 11:18 am |
Did anybody notice the cardinal head stickers on Matt Leinart’s helmet last night? They weren’t applied uniformly.. one was higher than the other. You could see it from the back view. Don’t usually see such carelessness in the NFL.
I still think the original cardinal head design was superior to the 2005 redesign.
#43 by Chad on 10.17.06 11:21 am |
#44 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 10.17.06 11:31 am |
so i guess i will contribute to the mr. met thing…
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#45 by jesse on 10.17.06 11:32 am |
Off topic
Watching college football on Saturday, and notice that the worst helmets in the game all are have combinations of words and graphics.
Boise State this as opposed to this
Oregon State this and;
Toledo this
New rule, either graphics or letter (or numbers) but not both on helmets?
#46 by g utz on 10.17.06 11:46 am |
Couldn’t agree more
#47 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 11:51 am |
not possible as the mets where not not even a glimer in bill shea’s eyes in the 1950s
#48 by ThresherK on 10.17.06 12:10 pm |
Great place! I can finally ask, without being laughed at:
What other logos have
What other logos have
#49 by mg12 on 10.17.06 12:13 pm |
I dunno.
2005 redesigned logo
http://upload.wikime...
Previous logo
http://upload.wikime...
I think that the redesign is a big improvement.
#50 by Josh on 10.17.06 12:13 pm |
The NFL Shop does sell player number helmets
HERE
#51 by ThresherK on 10.17.06 12:14 pm |
…so simple even a caveman can do it!
Let’s try that again.
Who else has alogo with teeth which aren’t real?
Who else has alogo with actual gums?
#52 by a arauz on 10.17.06 12:17 pm |
Are you referring to Crazy Mikey Milken?
#53 by frankenslade on 10.17.06 12:20 pm |
The Braves used to have a logo that showed some gum:
http://www.sportslog...
#54 by Bob on 10.17.06 12:21 pm |
more fake teeth
#55 by a arauz on 10.17.06 12:21 pm |
Not certain when the Orange made it’s first appearance, however I do know that he made his appearance because the original SU mascot: the Saltine Warrior was deemed offensive. Mind you, that’s about 25 years before all the stupid PC junk we presently read of.
#56 by Bob on 10.17.06 12:25 pm |
and gums… who knew.
#57 by frankenslade on 10.17.06 12:27 pm |
Wait a second - you don’t mean “fake” teeth, but anatomically incorrect teeth, right? What nerve! Next thing you know, some team will have us believe that a cardinal can swing a baseball bat:
http://www.sportslog...
#58 by Joe on 10.17.06 12:33 pm |
I know of this HS, Christian Brothers Academy, in NJ, whose lacrosse team does the logo/Number thing
Number
Logo
#59 by ThresherK on 10.17.06 12:33 pm |
UniWatchers, Activate! What’s the official or catchy name for the blue panel at the top of this jersey?
Well, whatever we call it, I’m glad it’s gone. A basketball uni doesn’t have to have a veritable field of unbroken non-primary color in it, I think.
And that asymmetrical curve? Good to lose.
And more red in the new one? The alum and I have been rooting for the team in “white and national flag blue” (official radio description). Can’t say that without thinking “red”; great to have it back.
But is all that worth the trade off of the swoopspear?
#60 by Vincent on 10.17.06 12:34 pm |
NHL players haven’t actually wore sweaters on the ice since the 1950s so can we agree to let people call them jerseys if they want to. :D:D
#61 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 12:42 pm |
or fish can surf and have hands and can shoot a slap shot
#62 by ThresherK on 10.17.06 12:45 pm |
A Arauz said Not certain when the Orange made it’s first appearance, however I do know that he made his appearance because the original SU mascot: the Saltine Warrior was deemed offensive. Mind you, that’s about 25 years before all the stupid PC junk we presently read of
What, we got rid of the Saltine Warrior because we can’t offend hypertensive-Americans now?
#63 by WVU Tom on 10.17.06 12:49 pm |
I’ve always like the numbers on the helmet look (actually, I really like the decal on one side, number on the other we saw yesterday–I know I’ve seen that before, just can’t remember where), but the point you make about merchandising disturbs me. It always makes me mad when teams do uni tweaks only to line their wallets by selling more gear to fans.
Of course, it’s hard to draw the line, because any change is going to introduce new mechandise onto the market–I guess what really gets me are all the alternates, commemoratives, and/or special edition throwbacks.
#64 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 12:51 pm |
who was offend by this native american or folks with HUGE noses
#65 by Matthew on 10.17.06 1:04 pm |
It also seemed in the Bears-Cardinals game, that the Cardinals helmet decals sit differently on a Riddell Revolution helmet than they do the regular Riddell or the Adams and Schutt helmets. I looked at pictures from the game last night on Yahoo, but could not find any evidence…did anyone else notice this or am grasping at uni-straws?
#66 by Kenny on 10.17.06 1:06 pm |
More double stripes on a Chicago Bears player
And this reminds me of this…Lovin it
#67 by a arauz on 10.17.06 1:12 pm |
Could it be that your minds playing tricks w/ your eyes? The Schutt helmut appears to be squatter (is that a word) and more rounded than other helmuts. If that is indeed the case, then the decal would like ‘off’, no?
#68 by Kenny on 10.17.06 1:12 pm |
I thought I heard someone last night during the game mention that the Cardinals can blame their poor tackling on their jerseys. I couldn’t really tell because the bar I was in last night was going nuts on the punt return!!! Anybody??
DA BEARS !!!!!
#69 by a arauz on 10.17.06 1:15 pm |
that high School uni reminds me of the Oilers 1974 uniforms which featured that silver, columbia blue and red. Check out that Dan Pastorini era (rookie year)– you’ll see a direct match. the funny part is that the school is in Tennesee whether the old Oilers came in from the cold.
#70 by Matthew on 10.17.06 1:26 pm |
Could be. I was playing poker during the game last night, so was only looking over to the screen for quick glances. I think someone pointed out earlier that Leinart’s decals were a little off, so maybe I was seeing his.
#71 by Matthew on 10.17.06 1:37 pm |
I think what you mean to say is that Bud Adams stole the old Oilers from Houston and placed them in Tennessee…as you can probably tell I’m a bitter former Oilers fan. I was only 13 when they moved to Tennessee from Houston and I have been scarred ever since. To this day, I’m a bigger college football fan than pro football and I still hate Bud Adams, especially because he wouldn’t let Bob McNair use the name ‘Oilers’ when Houston scored the 32nd NFL franchise. Texans is a good nickname, but God help us, we were almost named the ‘Apollos’.
All that being said, how cool would it be if the Titans wore the old Oilers home uniforms as throwbacks during the season.
#72 by MetsFan AZ on 10.17.06 1:48 pm |
This is from Caple’s column on Page 2. “I’ve driven Big Sur several times, occasionally under skies as blue as a Kansas City Royals cap.” He couldn’t make the same statement about Mets caps because half the readers would say “aren’t the Met’s caps black” (tear)
also from Caple “I mean, it’s kind of like wearing a speedo to the pool or stirrup socks to the company softball game…” in regards to wearing biker shorts to ride a bike.
dems fightin’ words mister!
#73 by Tape on 10.17.06 2:05 pm |
The UConn basketball player in the front left of that new-uni picture has a standing invitation to come over to my place anytime she wants.
#74 by a arauz on 10.17.06 2:21 pm |
That would be Sweet ! Luv you Blue!
#75 by Kenny on 10.17.06 2:23 pm |
Bringing up Tennessee basketball and good looking basketball female basketball players…what’s the reasoning behind the blue in the unis for UT women…plus brittany jackson has an invite to my place
#76 by barney on 10.17.06 2:33 pm |
…and more fake teeth
UML RiverHawks
#77 by Jonathon on 10.17.06 2:57 pm |
another cardinal logo to throw into the debate
http://www.cuacardin...
#78 by Jonathon on 10.17.06 3:03 pm |
those 2005 uconn women’s jerseys are almost the same template as the usa women’s softball team. also a nike design. this is also a great time to drop a jennie finch link.
http://www.usasoftba...
#79 by Jonathon on 10.17.06 3:08 pm |
http://uconnhuskies....
1. niiiiiiiiiice
2. that looks like a new logo at the base of the v-neck
#80 by Tom on 10.17.06 3:08 pm |
Kobe is wearing #24 this year.
Has a high profile player (other than MJ’s short-lived 45) ever changed his number without changing teams?
Arguably, the Lakers would retire his number. Which one do the retire if Kobe continues to be one of the best players in the league?
Is Kobe doing this so that his jersey becomes the biggest seller again?
#81 by Jonathon on 10.17.06 3:12 pm |
mention of the barracudas reminded me of the jacksonville lizard kings of the echl. they had great unis, with scales. this is a pic of the home uni. the road greens were much better - the scales looked pretty cool
http://groups.msn.co...
#82 by Josh on 10.17.06 3:17 pm |
Holy shit I feel old.
From that hot Uconn girl’s bio:
born on April 11, 1988
#83 by Richard on 10.17.06 3:23 pm |
You feel old? I feel old, and I’m only 25.
PS - Lou Piniella’s press conference home Cubs jersey has his name on the back.
#84 by K.G. on 10.17.06 3:32 pm |
…and scorpions can hold sticks
#85 by a arauz on 10.17.06 3:36 pm |
Hey, what’s up with you guys’ predilection for somewhat tall women with baggy shorts & knee braces???
#86 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 3:49 pm |
it looks like that bird is about to puke…
#87 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 3:53 pm |
that thing doesn’t ever look like bird so maybe the teeth are ok…
#88 by AJ on 10.17.06 4:01 pm |
The template for those new Liberty jerseys looks familiar, but I just can’t think of what team I’ve seen it on. Does anyone know of any other teams that use it? It’s also pretty similar to the McDonald’s All-American game jerseys.
#89 by Marshall Hubbard on 10.17.06 4:03 pm |
I go to North Carolina and it looks like Nike has changed our basketball uniforms to have the shoulder stripes that nearly every other team has. I’m about to murder myself.
#90 by Tape on 10.17.06 4:08 pm |
ugh. this year’s new Riverhawk logo SUCKS. I mean, the previous one wasn’t great or anything, but at least it wasn’t immediately horrible.
…not that anyone cares. no one at UMass Lowell knows that the school has sports teams. and the hockey team is going to be horrible this year, there’s about 317 freshman on the squad.
#91 by Tape on 10.17.06 4:10 pm |
quote comment=”14478″]…and more fake teeth
UML RiverHawks
P.S. way to close your link.
#92 by Tape on 10.17.06 4:10 pm |
URL
URL
URL
URL
#93 by barney on 10.17.06 4:13 pm |
Here’s the full UML logo which is a little better, but there’s no such thing as a RiverHawk around here!
UML
#94 by barney on 10.17.06 4:15 pm |
aargh!!! (Thought I didn’t screw these up anymore…)
UML
#95 by barney on 10.17.06 4:17 pm |
Screw it! You can find this and a ton of other great stuff at logoshak.com.
#96 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 4:18 pm |
that a little better the teeht do kind of ruin it… the bird look pretty tough enough does it even need the teeth… but i’m not sure merimack gets that size waves
#97 by Richard on 10.17.06 4:18 pm |
yes, Marshall, we know, as we discussed in detail last week. You can check the feeds from the end of the week and catch up if you want.
#98 by matt in the nati on 10.17.06 4:29 pm |
baseaball usually does birds well but do eagles have tounges
#99 by ThresherK on 10.17.06 4:36 pm |
http://uconnhuskies....
2. that looks like a new logo at the base of the v-neck
I don’t think it’s new, but putting it there is.
While we’re on women’s bb and aesthetics:
Is there any geographical or other predictiveness for the use of eye makeup during a game? It seems more likely in the SEC, ACC and Pac-10, by my purely anecdotal observation.
And has anyone ever seen a Lady something-or-other with both eye makeup (a la Brittany Jackson) and one of those breathe-right strips at the same time in any sport?
#100 by Kyle on 10.17.06 4:38 pm |
At Lou Piniella’s introduction for the Cubs, his jersey had his last name on it…..
Is this an indication they are going back to this next year? Or is this just for the news conference?
#101 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 10.17.06 4:47 pm |