Big East coaches going casual

[HuskyHawk]

On the leather-soled shoe, we agree. I was Imelda freaking Marcos with a great collection of leather-soled shoes from the legendary (and now defunct) Barrie Booters in New Haven. I still have them all, resoled several times over the decades; and now I cannot imagine how or why I or anyone else ever tolerated that discomfort.

I found Samuel Hubbard shoes several years ago and haven't worn a single pair of leather-soled shoes since. Of course, now I own seven pairs of them... If you haven't checked them out, do; they are the same people who made Rockports, which is all I used to wear when bartending.

If you are looking for running shoes to walk in, try Hokas. My wife is a nurse and I bought her a pair for her birthday this year. She doesn't run, but she is on her feet all day at work and says they have made a huge difference. The running store where I got them said they sell more pairs of Hokas to nurses than they do to runners.

If you're looking for running shoes to run in and you're an over-pronator like me, check out Brooks Adrenaline and Asics GT-2000; those are the two I alternate between. And I add a Currex RunPro insole because the insoles that come with running shoes are crap. It's worth your while to go to a good local running store and have them take a look at your old running shoes to analyze your gait and get you properly fitted. After that you can join Road Runner Sports and keep reordering the same shoes as needed for considerably less than you pay in the stores.

I've had one pair of Hokas recently. I don't run in them, just fast walk and those break down too fast. I have a wide foot and high arches, and supinate if anything, so my choices are limited. Saucony Ride has been best, Brooks Ghost is ok but I feel like the drop is too high. I go to the outlet mall one exit away (Saucony, Asics, New Balance, Nike....), because I find even the next version of shoes I like don't always fit. I have tried and sent so much back to Zappos (Brooks Cascadia 16 went back today).

As for work shoes, I wore Rockport and Johnson & Murphy rubber soled dress shoes, then got a pair of Cole Haan Zerogrand shoes to look a bit more up to date. The best shoes I found, literally two weeks before we shut the office for Covid, were Pikolinos, from Spain. Given my width issues, Euro size shoes seem to be great for me, with 43 running bigger than a US 10.

 

[8893]

I've had one pair of Hokas recently. I don't run in them, just fast walk and those break down too fast. I have a wide foot and high arches, and supinate if anything, so my choices are limited. Saucony Ride has been best, Brooks Ghost is ok but I feel like the drop is too high. I go to the outlet mall one exit away (Saucony, Asics, New Balance, Nike....), because I find even the next version of shoes I like don't always fit. I have tried and sent so much back to Zappos (Brooks Cascadia 16 went back today).

As for work shoes, I wore Rockport and Johnson & Murphy rubber soled dress shoes, then got a pair of Cole Haan Zerogrand shoes to look a bit more up to date. The best shoes I found, literally two weeks before we shut the office for Covid, were Pikolinos, from Spain. Given my width issues, Euro size shoes seem to be great for me, with 43 running bigger than a US 10.

Yeah, until I started walking and running regularly I had no idea how quickly running shoes break down. Basically six months if you are not alternating. I alternate between two pairs and add the insole and get around a year out of them.

Those Pikolinos look very similar to the Samuel Hubbards, and around the same price point; and Hubbards added wide sizes across all their styles recently, so you might check them out. They also have a fairly reasonable re-soling program.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Yeah, until I started walking and running regularly I had no idea how quickly running shoes break down. Basically six months if you are not alternating. I alternate between two pairs and add the insole and get around a year out of them.

Those Pikolinos look very similar to the Samuel Hubbards, and around the same price point; and Hubbards added wide sizes across all their styles recently, so you might check them out. They also have a fairly reasonable re-soling program.

They do look nice. Since I'm now work from home, I've only worn those Pikolinos 3 times in almost two years. Most recently to a wedding last month. May be the last pair I buy for a long time. The running shoes I now wear all day every day, so I'm getting like 4 months out of them.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Donny and the other announcer spent a couple minutes talking about it during tonight's game. Of course it was a 45 point lead at that point so what else were they going to talk about?

And before the 45 point lead, I can recall Doron Shefer on his all-time team, Andre Jackson's elite athleticism, Howie Dickenman's impact on his life, exploiting the flattering cut of his playing days jersey, Smitty BOPs, his sense that UConn is being underergarded even with a predicted #2 BE finish, pride in not knowing any Jonas Brothers name, and more that slips my mind in the moment. I experienced him as more of a homer than ever before, not inappropriate for the setting, and I liked it.

I'm not going to bounce around and comment all over, so I'll just add that I could enjoy a season opener with Central and Howie in attendance every year.

 

[Waquoit]

I say just don't look like a slob, like Huggy Bear.

 

[8893]

I say just don't look like a slob, like Huggy Bear.

I met him at the 2004 Final Four. He was wearing a matching sweatsuit—possibly velour—and had a drink in each hand.

 

[storrsroars]

Not hoops, not BE, but in the UNC v Pitt football game tonight, the UNC coach is wearing a camo jacket. Looks like he just strolled in from a hunting trip. You do not honor veterans by coming to the sidelines dressed like it's an episode of Duck Dynasty.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

They should go the baseball route and wear uniforms.

There’s a lot of room to operate within the rubric of “casual.” I’d imagine Jay is still going to look better than most.

 

[olehead]

And before the 45 point lead, I can recall Doron Shefer on his all-time team, Andre Jackson's elite athleticism, Howie Dickenman's impact on his life, exploiting the flattering cut of his playing days jersey, Smitty BOPs, his sense that UConn is being underergarded even with a predicted #2 BE finish, pride in not knowing any Jonas Brothers name, and more that slips my mind in the moment. I experienced him as more of a homer than ever before, not inappropriate for the setting, and I liked it.

I'm not going to bounce around and comment all over, so I'll just add that I could enjoy a season opener with Central and Howie in attendance every year.

Weird, Smitty was called Smitty Bop going back to Kolbe days b/c of his swag rather than due to his shoot first mentality.

 

[storrsroars]

There’s a lot of room to operate within the rubric of “casual.”

Camo hunting jackets ain't one of those options. What's next, bib overalls?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

 

[87Xfer]

Camo hunting jackets ain't one of those options. What's next, bib overalls?

pretty sure that's a UNC "salute to service" hoodie. you see camo salute to service gear on NFL sidelines all the time. not sure why it's an issue here.

 

[storrsroars]

pretty sure that's a UNC "salute to service" hoodie. you see camo salute to service gear on NFL sidelines all the time. not sure why it's an issue here.

First off, since this is a thread about how coaches dress, it's butt-freaking-ugly. Huggy in a velour track suit actually manages to look better in comparison.

Secondly, I'm personally sick and tired of military and faux-patriotic BS at all sports events, and have been for years. Exception being service academies. Sports are sports and shouldn't be politicized at an institutional level (which is different than players taking on issues).

I've mentioned this before and it never fails to aggravate the faux patriots here: I have a heartfelt letter and a folded flag sent to my wife and I from a unit in Iraq because we "adopted" them back when we had our coffeehouse and regularly sent not only basic supplies, but also music, movies, coffee, cookies, etc. You want to support troops, do something besides chanting "USA USA". Get off your ass, dig into your wallet, make connections and actually, you know, brighten the day of some troops who want nothing more than to be home and safe.

 

[87Xfer]

First off, since this is a thread about how coaches dress, it's butt-freaking-ugly. Huggy in a velour track suit actually manages to look better in comparison.

Secondly, I'm personally sick and tired of military and faux-patriotic BS at all sports events, and have been for years. Exception being service academies. Sports are sports and shouldn't be politicized at an institutional level (which is different than players taking on issues).

I've mentioned this before and it never fails to aggravate the faux patriots here: I have a heartfelt letter and a folded flag sent to my wife and I from a unit in Iraq because we "adopted" them back when we had our coffeehouse and regularly sent not only basic supplies, but also music, movies, coffee, cookies, etc. You want to support troops, do something besides chanting "USA USA". Get off your ass, dig into your wallet, make connections and actually, you know, brighten the day of some troops who want nothing more than to be home and safe.

but how do you really feel?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

They should go the baseball route and wear uniforms.

Asked & answered.
Kudos meets Ew.
Cannot unsee.
Thank you?

 

[mussels]

pretty sure that's a UNC "salute to service" hoodie. you see camo salute to service gear on NFL sidelines all the time. not sure why it's an issue here.

It's all about selling merchandise - not honoring anything.

 

[87Xfer]

It's all about selling merchandise - not honoring anything.

For cryin' out loud, I was just pointing out that the guy wasn't wearing a "duck dynasty" jacket, but a piece of sanctioned salute to service gear. FWIW my dad fought in WW2, my brother in Vietnam, and one of my closest friends is a permanently disabled Vietnam vet who very nearly died and spent more than a year in VA hospitals when he got home. You can spare me the righteousness...I don't think you have any legit beef with me. Jeez.

 

[mussels]

View attachment 70938
For cryin' out loud, I was just pointing out that the guy wasn't wearing a "duck dynasty" jacket, but a piece of sanctioned salute to service gear. FWIW my dad fought in WW2, my brother in Vietnam, and one of my closest friends is a permanently disabled Vietnam vet who very nearly died and spent more than a year in VA hospitals when he got home. You can spare me the righteousness...I don't think you have any legit beef with me. Jeez.

I don't have a beef with you (or anyone who goes out and buys a piece of sanctioned service gear). We all have our individual sensibilities and I respect that, but you did state that you didn't understand why some people might take issue to the camo gear, and I answered. If it came off as righteous, it wasn't intended that way.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I met him at the 2004 Final Four. He was wearing a matching sweatsuit—possibly velour—and had a drink in each hand.

Did he tuck one drink between his chin & chest to shake your hand, elbow bump, or do a foot kick? Any of them would risk a spilled drink.

 

[87Xfer]

well this is gonna make somebody's head assplode...

 

[BGesus4]

I say just don't look like a slob, like Huggy Bear.

I’d say his troubles are 50% the clothes and 50% what’s going on underneath them. He’s not flattering his curves with that mock neck action.

 

[storrsroars]

well this is gonna make somebody's head assplode...

You can spend $60 on a camo hoodie and have $3-$12 of that go to a military-themed charity while looking like a peen wearing the thing, or you could give that charity $60.

 

[87Xfer]

You can spend $60 on a camo hoodie and have $3-$12 of that go to a military-themed charity while looking like a peen wearing the thing, or you could give that charity $60.

I do give to charities that support active duty military and PTSD suffers directly. I also dedicate time to our local Veterans Day celebration and Project Healing Waters. Let me ask you, do you own any team gear where zero dollars went to charities? I'm guessing you do. But having $3-12 go to charity vs nothing is somehow offensive to you? Who's the peen? I truly don't understand what your problem is here. I'll bow out of this stupid conversation now.

 

[storrsroars]

I do give to charities that support active duty military and PTSD suffers directly. I also dedicate time to our local Veterans Day celebration and Project Healing Waters. Let me ask you, do you own any team gear where zero dollars went to charities? I'm guessing you do. But having $3-12 go to charity vs nothing is somehow offensive to you? Who's the peen? I truly don't understand what your problem is here. I'll bow out of this stupid conversation now.

Yes I do. It's called "officially licensed UConn merchandise".

My "problem" is military fetishism and faux patriotism in sports if that wasn't abundantly clear. Neither is necessary to support those who serve.

That said, good on you for doing what you do. You don't need a camo hoodie to be a good guy.

 

[mussels]

I do give to charities that support active duty military and PTSD suffers directly. I also dedicate time to our local Veterans Day celebration and Project Healing Waters. Let me ask you, do you own any team gear where zero dollars went to charities? I'm guessing you do. But having $3-12 go to charity vs nothing is somehow offensive to you? Who's the peen? I truly don't understand what your problem is here. I'll bow out of this stupid conversation now.

Why do you see criticism of companies profiting from our veteran’s sacrifices (and the natural inclination of people to open their wallets) as a personal attack?

You obviously don’t agree with that perspective, but consider that before you see a NFL coach wearing it on the sidelines, it was discussed, financially analyzed, designed, licensed, mass manufactured and distributed to retailers. All predicated on improving the almighty bottom line. Nothing inherently wrong with that - heck it’s essential to pay attention to the bottom line. Yet to some of us, this comes across as using the veterans as a way to sell merchandise, and we find it off putting and distasteful.

There are also those that think it is disrespectful for anyone other than actual military personnel to wear military gear as if they can somehow belong to the brotherhood without making the same sacrifices.

You don’t have to agree, (and surely there are valid counterpoints),but surely you can see that perspective as something other than a personal attack.

 

[CL82]

So Hurley is squarely in the suit camp. But no ties. That works.

That's where a lot of people are now. Of course these days a lot of people are in this group as well...

 

[CL82]

Cannot unsee.

 

[8893]

Yes I do. It's called "officially licensed UConn merchandise".

My "problem" is military fetishism and faux patriotism in sports if that wasn't abundantly clear. Neither is necessary to support those who serve.

That said, good on you for doing what you do. You don't need a camo hoodie to be a good guy.

Uh oh:

OHT - Operation Hat Trick - UConn Huskies Merchandise, University of Connecticut Apparel, UConn Gear, Huskies Clothing | UConn Huskies Fan Shop

shop.uconnhuskies.com

 

[HuskyHawk]

well this is gonna make somebody's head assplode...

Did everyone here forget that we played MSU on an aircraft carrier and I believe were similarly attired at the time?

Side note: lots of really sharp looking UConn hockey jerseys at the game last night. I was tempted to buy one. I feel like it’s a nice piece of game attire no matter the sport, not as hot as a sweatshirt.

 

[storrsroars]

Uh oh:

OHT - Operation Hat Trick - UConn Huskies Merchandise, University of Connecticut Apparel, UConn Gear, Huskies Clothing | UConn Huskies Fan Shop

shop.uconnhuskies.com

So buy one. I won't be.