Random Thought/Suggestion: New Unis for the Diaco Era

[UConnDan97]

I actually like them in white. Don't really like them in blue.

You mean the all white unis and all white helmets? I don't mind that look either. For me, the issue is the way that the logo looks on the helmet. But the all white, or the blue uni with white helmet color scheme looks good to me. I just think that the new blue helmets look God awful...

 

[sub legacy]

Sloppy photoshop job (I did my best with what I had), but this basically sums up what I had in mind. Kind of like the new Buccaneer helmets, it "enhances" the current helmet concept and look.

 

[BugsyCT]

View attachment 7390

Sloppy photoshop job (I did my best with what I had), but this basically sums up what I had in mind. Kind of like the new Buccaneer helmets, it "enhances" the current helmet concept and look.

I like this - the enhanced eyes idea for the front of the helmet (not sure how it would look on a white helmet since you'd have the white around the eyes becoming negative space).

Numbers on the sides aren't bad, but that's Alabama's thing IMO. I say take the UCONN bumper sticker off the back of the helmet and slap it on the sides.

 

[UConnDan97]

View attachment 7390

Sloppy photoshop job (I did my best with what I had), but this basically sums up what I had in mind. Kind of like the new Buccaneer helmets, it "enhances" the current helmet concept and look.

Not to pick too much on this, because you at least made the effort to try to draw it up, but this helmet is even worse for me. The issue I have is that the blue helmet begs for a "side-logo" (yes, yes...like the block C). Here, you've tried to fill the void with the player number. I don't think that's a good look though, but you have the right idea in that the void on the blue helmet NEEDS to be filled. It's the reason why I very much prefer the helmet below:

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Kill the UFL-like, helmets ASAP! WTF was Nike thinking?

 

[ktuck911]

View attachment 7390

Sloppy photoshop job (I did my best with what I had), but this basically sums up what I had in mind. Kind of like the new Buccaneer helmets, it "enhances" the current helmet concept and look.

I like what you're getting at... I can see it... white face guard goes good with a blue helmet

 

[sub legacy]

Some "alternatives" I drew up real quick. Thanks for the feedback.

[Same concept, just added the front view to the side view at an angle for some perspective on the side view.]

[Same concept, this time without the "Alabama" numbers on the side. This basically resembles the way they are now minus the enhanced husky eyes.]

 

[sub legacy]

[Lastly, I took the suggestion of adding UCONN to the side in place of the numbers to see how it looked.]

 

[UConnDan97]

View attachment 7394

[Lastly, I took the suggestion of adding UCONN to the side in place of the numbers to see how it looked.]

Nah, I don't think that works at all. But could you make ears on each side, pinned back? It would have that Vikings / Eagles type idea, but would connect with the eyes in the front. Kind of like these ears:

 

[BugsyCT]

View attachment 7394

[Lastly, I took the suggestion of adding UCONN to the side in place of the numbers to see how it looked.]

If the letters were arched & scaled right it might look better. Props on the efforts though.

 

[sub legacy]

If the letters were arched & scaled right it might look better. Props on the efforts though.

Yeah, I couldn't figure out a way to angle it back 35°-45°. I tried but that was the best I could get out of it.

 

[BugsyCT]

Something like this - maybe a little more arch on the letters, scaled down slightly and the enhanced eyes in the front. Might be too much but if done right it could work.

 

[CL82]

I disagree. If you are going to keep this style, go bigger. Full Husky Head.

... or just use the eyes across the full front.

Edit: Nice job legacy! I didn't see those until after I posted. I like them.

 

[sub legacy]

Nah, I don't think that works at all. But could you make ears on each side, pinned back? It would have that Vikings / Eagles type idea, but would connect with the eyes in the front. Kind of like these ears:

Yeah, I'll give it a shot. Not promising it'll turn out well, though. I might toy around with some other ideas just for ha-has.

 

[ktuck911]

Some "alternatives" I drew up real quick. Thanks for the feedback.

View attachment 7391

[Same concept, just added the front view to the side view at an angle for some perspective on the side view.]

View attachment 7392

[Same concept, this time without the "Alabama" numbers on the side. This basically resembles the way they are now minus the enhanced husky eyes.]

I like your concept better than the one we currently have when we go with the blue helmets... the red line doesn't work though... with that said we've gone white all season long... but, unfortunately when go with one color uni's ( all white concept ) the look is just so boring... Gotta go off color (white helmet blue shirt white pants)... it just looks better... whomever decided to give us a new concept in helmets & unis, IMO, is behind the times... simply because we're trying to gain the respect of the FBS football Gods.. You can't come out there with a boring look.. you just can't ... we'd just well go back to the day we simply wore the block C helmets with Connecticut across our chests(white jersey) and blue pants.. it looked better.. my two cents...

 

[sub legacy]

These I made for the hell of it. Only way I can think of to incorporate more white into the helmets. Inspired by current Navy and Syracuse helmets. Don't hold back if you think they're sh°t.

 

[sub legacy]

And...

Might work on a version that fades into red next.

 

[RioDog]

View attachment 7390

Sloppy photoshop job (I did my best with what I had), but this basically sums up what I had in mind. Kind of like the new Buccaneer helmets, it "enhances" the current helmet concept and look.

Thats OK, though the front would be better with JUST the eyes (for those who must have a cartoon character on the helmet) and a block C on the side would be better than a number, those opinions above regarding its demise notwithstanding. BTW if you're shooting for a BiG look:

8, count 'em, eight schools with letters, including the Indiana interlocking IU (I always liked that interlocking UC we had in the early 2000's, which I know will bring groans from some here, but then again some of you actually like the joke of a lid we have now).

3 schools with graphics (MSU, UM and Iowa) all nice.

2 with just a stripe (tOSU and PSU). The PSU lid of course precludes UConn doing anything similar.

1 school that let a preschooler loose with some magic markers.

So what do you think would mesh the best with this group? Current design? Ha, yeah right. Sub Legacy's design is ok, but with eyes only, at least a number in the side, and please God in blue not white. My vote- White Block C on a national flag blue helmet ( and an occasional alternate white helmet). The rest of the uni's look good.

And regarding "catering to the 17 and 18 year old recruits"- gimme a break. They're 17 and 18 years old for , being recruited to major athletic programs with an all-expense paid trip through college being waived under their noses. The helmet could have a flocking Grandma Moses primitive painted on the side and they'd still sign a letter of intent. So please don't try to use that as a serious reason for art school drop-out experimentation on the program's most important emblem. FANS are who are identifying with the uniform day in and day out (buying tickets and gear, donating money), watching games on TV, at the stadium, online. Seeing their school's helmet on sports shows and web sites. Many of us identify with the tradition of college football, including the visual traditions. a change-up is great, OCCASIONALLY, but not for the long-haul.

If uniform shake-up is so great, why does Michigan's helmet still look like a stylized leather helmet? It must send recruits screaming to sign with Oregon or Maryland. Its still that way because alums, state and national fan bases identify with it, not with the furry face of a wolverine or some weird Andy Warhol interpretation of the state flag. If stylistic change is so universally successful, why aren't you wearing a dickie right now?

Put a GOOD husky graphic (see MSU/Iowa as examples of "good"), a number, or better yet the block "C", which makes me think of Connecticut, on a national flag blue helmet. Leave the cartoons for Saturday mornings TV.

 

[RioDog]

Cheezus and NOTHING with UConn as the dominant graphic- why would we revert to a graphic that we used in 1AA? Fine for hoops, not for football.

 

[UConnDan97]

Thats OK, though the front would be better with JUST the eyes (for those who must have a cartoon character on the helmet) and a block C on the side would be better than a number, those opinions above regarding its demise notwithstanding. BTW if you're shooting for a BiG look:

8, count 'em, eight schools with letters, including the Indiana interlocking IU (I always liked that interlocking UC we had in the early 2000's, which I know will bring groans from some here, but then again some of you actually like the joke of a lid we have now).

3 schools with graphics (MSU, UM and Iowa) all nice.

2 with just a stripe (tOSU and PSU). The PSU lid of course precludes UConn doing anything similar.

1 school that let a preschooler loose with some magic markers.

So what do you think would mesh the best with this group? Current design? Ha, yeah right. Sub Legacy's design is ok, but with eyes only, at least a number in the side, and please God in blue not white. My vote- White Block C on a national flag blue helmet ( and an occasional alternate white helmet). The rest of the uni's look good.

And regarding "catering to the 17 and 18 year old recruits"- gimme a break. They're 17 and 18 years old for , being recruited to major athletic programs with an all-expense paid trip through college being waived under their noses. The helmet could have a flocking Grandma Moses primitive painted on the side and they'd still sign a letter of intent. So please don't try to use that as a serious reason for art school drop-out experimentation on the program's most important emblem. FANS are who are identifying with the uniform day in and day out (buying tickets and gear, donating money), watching games on TV, at the stadium, online. Seeing their school's helmet on sports shows and web sites. Many of us identify with the tradition of college football, including the visual traditions. a change-up is great, OCCASIONALLY, but not for the long-haul.

If uniform shake-up is so great, why does Michigan's helmet still look like a stylized leather helmet? It must send recruits screaming to sign with Oregon or Maryland. Its still that way because alums, state and national fan bases identify with it, not with the furry face of a wolverine or some weird Andy Warhol interpretation of the state flag. If stylistic change is so universally successful, why aren't you wearing a dickie right now?

Put a GOOD husky graphic (see MSU/Iowa as examples of "good"), a number, or better yet the block "C", which makes me think of Connecticut, on a national flag blue helmet. Leave the cartoons for Saturday mornings TV.

Believe me, you will never get an argument against the block C from me! I don't even need the B1G comparison to tell me that. But we also have to be realistic with the fact that there is almost no chance we will ever go back. We would need the head coach to really demand it, and the HC would have to be someone that wanted to tap back into our history (albeit, recent history). Most of these marketing decisions, I'm guessing, happen above the coach on the ladder of hierarchy. You would need Warde, or possibly even Susan, to force that change...

 

[RioDog]

Believe me, you will never get an argument against the block C from me! I don't even need the B1G comparison to tell me that. But we also have to be realistic with the fact that there is almost no chance we will ever go back. We would need the head coach to really demand it, and the HC would have to be someone that wanted to tap back into our history (albeit, recent history). Most of these marketing decisions, I'm guessing, happen above the coach on the ladder of hierarchy. You would need Warde, or possibly even Susan, to force that change...

Sadly true. And I know its all about brand consistency across all sports, but why that should preclude a block C really eludes me. I guess I'm just simple. Hoops and soccer and field hockey and baseball and badminton and hockey etc etc etc couldn't adopt the visual that works best for football, upon which all of their collective existence in a big time conference depends? Everbody always says football drives the bus, but because we have to standardize the brand cross-sport we end up with the clown "Kilroy the Dog was here" helmet we have now? I know "UConn" is associated with our success in hoops- its a national brand. But for cryin out loud it doesn't work for football. Its our 1AA handle, looks small time (in the context of football) and is nothing like anything you find on any P5 state flagship schools' helmets. Totally frustrating given that we already had, IMO, the perfect design for the program. ARGH!

 

[ktuck911]

If we went back to a block C the look like this Kentucky helmet would be badass:

 

[BugsyCT]

Sadly true. And I know its all about brand consistency across all sports, but why that should preclude a block C really eludes me. I guess I'm just simple. Hoops and soccer and field hockey and baseball and badminton and hockey etc etc etc couldn't adopt the visual that works best for football, upon which all of their collective existence in a big time conference depends? Everbody always says football drives the bus, but because we have to standardize the brand cross-sport we end up with the clown "Kilroy the Dog was here" helmet we have now? I know "UConn" is associated with our success in hoops- its a national brand. But for cryin out loud it doesn't work for football. Its our 1AA handle, looks small time (in the context of football) and is nothing like anything you find on any P5 state flagship schools' helmets. Totally frustrating given that we already had, IMO, the perfect design for the program. ARGH!

Just because a helmet logo is a school name or a mascot, and not one single initial (or two) doesn't make it small time. Check out the helmets for Florida, Ole Miss, LSU, Cal, UCLA, Pitt - all P5 programs that have names or abbreviated versions of their names on the helmets. Granted that's not a lot of teams, but if it's around long enough and the program has a period of success with them, they get accepted and associated with that school.

Personally I'd be fine with going back with the block "C", but it's not going to happen.

 

[RioDog]

Just because a helmet logo is a school name or a mascot, and not one single initial (or two) doesn't make it small time. Check out the helmets for Florida, Ole Miss, LSU, Cal, UCLA, Pitt - all P5 programs that have names or abbreviated versions of their names on the helmets. Granted that's not a lot of teams, but if it's around long enough and the program has a period of success with them, they get accepted and associated with that school.

Personally I'd be fine with going back with the block "C", but it's not going to happen.

Re: your examples- Ole Miss is a weird one, don't know how to respond to it- I think we can call that one an outlier.
Pitt and UCLA aren't state flagship schools, which was more the focus of my comments (if thats unclear then apologies for bad writing on my part). Florida's lid is OK- some decent version that said "Huskies" on the side for UConn would be alright- heck use the same font as the Gators in a Blue and White scheme would be light years better than what we have currently. Cripes put a white dog paw on a blue helmet a la Clemson and there you go (I know theirs is feline). No problems with more than 2 letters like Cal (though "Con" has some inherent problems) or LSU- any school that is called "Name of State" State University needs 3 letters.I really liked the early interlocking UC helmet we sported in Edsall's early tenure. I thought it was really nice. Could work for all sports.

I completely agree with your notion about the effect of time on an icon. But 2 thoughts on that. First, I think that people will make a quicker and stronger association if an image "fits" what people already associate with the broader category, i.e., a college helmet that stylistically resembles other college helmets they already know rather than an NFL or XFL or CFL helmet, or worse yet the unassociatable mess we have now. Second, if we're gonna start with something new, could it at least be of some reasonable quality? Can we fans have a little input? What we've got now is a poor attempt at something slick and "high design" that fails utterly and just comes off as cartoonish. Heck, if you want to go the cartoon route then at least really do it. Everybody knows Fresno States helmet- sure the dog is a cartoon but that what its supposed to be. I like it.

If UConn's helmets were even marginally passable I wouldn't say a word about it, but I stilll can't for the life of me understand the choice that was made, nor how it was made. Translation: What the duck* were they thinking?

 

[SonsOfNutmeg]

We need a chrome lid... and a matte black lid w/ white husky logo inside of the state of CT outline (ie: my avatar)- think Old Dominon's logo or ECU. "Connecticut Blackout"

 

[sub legacy]

Red versions of the fade look.

 

[sub legacy]

And...