Vol uniform/helmet design discussion (merged)

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#11,127
#11,127
Subtle stylistic change has been part of Tennessee tradition. The strident advocates of black-on-black or black and white, with orange relegated to little more than an accent color, are advocating nothing less than a radical makeover.

I am a cultural anthropologist by training and my research focuses heavily on the role of style in material culture (yes, that includes clothing) as an expression of identity. You may not want to take my word for it, no matter how much academic research I cite as supporting documentation, but Butch Jones has said that you can walk into any high school in the country, clad in Tennessee regalia, and they know instantaneously who you represent. That is a profoundly strong, and accurate, example of the functional role of stylistic marker traits as an unequivocal expression of group identity. Personal experience further corroborates his position. On a return trip from Montana, I walked into the airport in Kalispell and a baggage handler spotted my Tennessee orange fleece jacket. Without my saying a word, he stated "you guys are a long way from home."

Few universities in the country have a more distinct color scheme than Tennessee. Make no mistake about it, radical change will, over time, weaken that association, both in terms of public perception and, more importantly, the Big Orange Nation. Frankly, I don't believe the strident advocates of black-on-black when they say that they are only advocating it for occasional usage. Oregon needed a gimmick, we don't. Oregon had no significant history of sustained success in football prior to the last decade or so. Therefore, a host of uniform combinations, ones that pushed the proverbial fashion envelope in college regalia, became a branding mechanism, one that set them apart as different before their onfield success really began to take root.
 
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#11,128
#11,128
Volosaurus rex said:
Subtle stylistic change has been part of Tennessee tradition. The strident advocates of black-on-black or black and white, with orange relegated to little more than an accent color, are advocating nothing less than a radical makeover.

I am a cultural anthropologist by training and my research focuses heavily on the role of style in material culture (yes, that includes clothing) as an expression of identity. You may not want to take my word for it, no matter how much academic research I cite as supporting documentation, but Butch Jones has said that you can walk into any high school in the country, clad in Tennessee regalia, and they know instantaneously who you represent. That is a profoundly strong, and accurate, example of the functional role of stylistic marker traits as an unequivocal expression of group identity. Personal experience further corroborates his position. On a return trip from Montana, I walked into the airport in Kalispell and a baggage handler spotted my Tennessee orange fleece jacket. Without my saying a word, he stated "you guys are a long way from home."

Few universities in the country have a more distinct color scheme than Tennessee. Make no mistake about it, radical change will, over time, weaken that association, both in terms of public perception and, more importantly, the Big Orange Nation. Frankly, I don't believe the strident advocates of black-on-black when they say that they are only advocating it for occasional usage. Oregon needed a gimmick, we don't. Oregon had no significant history of sustained success in football prior to the last decade or so. Therefore, a host of uniform combinations, ones that pushed the proverbial fashion envelope in college regalia, became a branding mechanism, one that set them apart as different before their onfield success really began to take root.
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We can easily change our uniform design without changing our primary color of Orange. No matter what crazy uniforms worn by Oregon.... Everyone still knows that the Ducks are green and yellow..

This is another lame excuse for the status quo. As far as I know... No one is suggesting that we abandon Orange. We would instead like to see a more modern and creative uniform design.
 
#11,130
#11,130
Either you have a problem with reading comprehension or you haven’t followed this thread for very long. There are plenty of contributors to this forum who have, indeed, advocated black-on-black or black and white, with orange relegated to little more than an accent color. Personally, I interpret their advocacy as code for “replacement,” not as an occasional alternative. On a personal note, are you sure that you want to debate the role of style in material culture as an expression of group identity with an anthropologist who specializes in its analysis? That would not be a particularly bright decision.
 
#11,131
#11,131
Volosaurus rex said:
Either you have a problem with reading comprehension or you haven’t followed this thread for very long. There are plenty of contributors to this forum who have, indeed, advocated black-on-black or black and white, with orange relegated to little more than an accent color. Personally, I interpret their advocacy as code for “replacement,” not as an occasional alternative. On a personal note, are you sure that you want to debate the role of style in material culture as an expression of group identity with an anthropologist who specializes in its analysis? That would not be a particularly bright decision.
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Just shut up already....most won't understand anything you just said....
 
#11,132
#11,132
I think not. When I read drivel of this magnitude, I am reminded of something one of my undergrad professors would say when challenged by a student who clearly lacked the intellectual firepower to engage him in debate: “I will give credence to your opinion on this matter when you have a Ph.D. in this discipline.”
 
#11,133
#11,133
pcolavol said:
Just shut up already....most won't understand anything you just said....
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People with an IQ above 40 had no problem understanding what he said. He used perfect English and even spelled everything correctly, a rarity for a message board post. I'd say his is actually one of the clearer posts in recent memory.
 
#11,135
#11,135
Volosaurus rex said:
I think not. When I read drivel of this magnitude, I am reminded of something one of my undergrad professors would say when challenged by a student who clearly lacked the intellectual firepower to engage him in debate: “I will give credence to your opinion on this matter when you have a Ph.D. in this discipline.”
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Gosh your smart, your use of more words than necessary to convey a simple and rather unnecessary point is simply astounding.

P.s. look I did it too! Sadly I missed out on flaunting titles and qualifications..... Darn

OT: I like the idea of new uniforms, I can say for a fact that it plays a role in a players decision.
 
#11,136
#11,136
VFLCodyGBO said:
Gosh your smart, your use of more words than necessary to convey a simple and rather unnecessary point is simply astounding.

P.s. look I did it too! Sadly I missed out on flaunting titles and qualifications..... Darn

OT: I like the idea of new uniforms, I can say for a fact that it plays a role in a players decision.
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Lol. Cody with the KO. Former and current players should have input on the uni's. We at least need to bring back the black accents and black shoes like we had when we were dominant in the late 90's. Black looks good with orange and white.
 
#11,137
#11,137
VFLCodyGBO said:
Gosh your smart, your use of more words than necessary to convey a simple and rather unnecessary point is simply astounding.

P.s. look I did it too! Sadly I missed out on flaunting titles and qualifications..... Darn

OT: I like the idea of new uniforms, I can say for a fact that it plays a role in a players decision.
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You're*

Gosh you're smart
 
#11,140
#11,140
I don't think we should EVER change because as soon as we change ANYTHING we are doomed! Just look at the Oregons, Alabamas, Georgia's, and Boise States who have thrown their tradition in the garbage by appealing to the senses of the people that play for, or hope to play for their team. They look like they're miserable don't they?
 
#11,142
#11,142
Volosaurus rex said:
I think not. When I read drivel of this magnitude, I am reminded of something one of my undergrad professors would say when challenged by a student who clearly lacked the intellectual firepower to engage him in debate: “I will give credence to your opinion on this matter when you have a Ph.D. in this discipline.”
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While I respect your intelligence, whether you chose to throw it in everyone's face or not, I have to disagree with you.

I understand branding but don't believe (just my opinion) that adding temporary additions to our uniform does anything to damage our tradition, recognizability, or brand.
Some of the most recognizable brands in the world add certain design elements to their label every year for special occasions and I'm certain that people are able to find the product nor is anyone so turned off by it that they stop purchasing them. Coke and Pepsi change their cans, so do beer companies and I'm sure other major corporations do as well.

Just let go a little. It's not permanent. It's an ALTERNATE uniform. The schools official colors will not be changed and the name isn't going to be forgotten.
 
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#11,145
#11,145
I am surprised by the level of butthurtedness (scientific term) sone of you have over the most trivial things.

And just because someone uses big words, does not mean they're right. In this case, it just means they are capable of regurgitating the thoughts of a college professor.
 
#11,146
#11,146
illvol said:
While I respect your intelligence, whether you chose to throw it in everyone's face or not, I have to disagree with you.

I understand branding but don't believe (just my opinion) that adding temporary additions to our uniform does anything to damage our tradition, recognizability, or brand.
Some of the most recognizable brands in the world add certain design elements to their label every year for special occasions and I'm certain that people are able to find the product nor is anyone so turned off by it that they stop purchasing them. Coke and Pepsi change their cans, so do beer companies and I'm sure other major corporations do as well.

Just let go a little. It's not permanent. It's an ALTERNATE uniform. The schools official colors will not be changed and the name isn't going to be forgotten.
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Here's the thing though. If you give an inch, people will take a mile. First it's just a one time thing, then it becomes a yearly thing, then a couple times a year, and before you know it, UT is just running out there wearing a round robin of bull**** just like Oregon does every week and just like that UT's one of a kind, distinct look has all but been destroyed. It obviously won't happen with just one time (the black jerseys a few years ago didn't do it) but over time it most certainly could happen. IMO it's just better to not even go down that road.
 
#11,147
#11,147
bleedorange0037 said:
Here's the thing though. If you give an inch, people will take a mile. First it's just a one time thing, then it becomes a yearly thing, then a couple times a year, and before you know it, UT is just running out there wearing a round robin of bull**** just like Oregon does every week and just like that UT's one of a kind, distinct look has all but been destroyed. It obviously won't happen with just one time (the black jerseys a few years ago didn't do it) but over time it most certainly could happen. IMO it's just better to not even go down that road.
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Who cares? As long as the players are happy and we win.
 
#11,148
#11,148
bleedorange0037 said:
Here's the thing though. If you give an inch, people will take a mile. First it's just a one time thing, then it becomes a yearly thing, then a couple times a year, and before you know it, UT is just running out there wearing a round robin of bull**** just like Oregon does every week and just like that UT's one of a kind, distinct look has all but been destroyed. It obviously won't happen with just one time (the black jerseys a few years ago didn't do it) but over time it most certainly could happen. IMO it's just better to not even go down that road.
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As long as we have orange on the uniform and a giant power T on the helmet I don't think anyone is going to mistake who we are. I think trying new things, in an Alternate Jersey type way, would be a good thing to try once a year. Why not? Its not like people are going to forget the words to Rocky Top if we come out with orange helmets or something.

Oregon is all over the map with different greens and yellows. We could do it in a much more subdued manner. Always keep the orange Vol orange but just do some color swapping between the orange and white on the uniforms and helmets. Or even put some other complimentary colors (black or gray) on the alternate jerseys but still keep the core idea as orange and white.

Its not a slippery slope where in a few years we are going to ditch the orange and white. Its just using variation to change things up from time to time.
 
#11,149
#11,149
Starting to think all of the people against subtle change to our uni's used to walk 10 miles to school in 6 feet of snow, and you could buy a house for $10.
 
#11,150
#11,150
I have nothing against change, but we have a unique Orange that does not mesh good with alternate colors. So that's why I've always been for tradition.
 
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