Iowa State Uniform Discussions (update: new basketball unis)

[Jer]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

I understand AMES for the specific throwback game helmets, but that's really the extent they should be used. And the Cyclones in script looks so generic it's not even recognizable as a sports identity.

If we're not using leaning Cy or any of those other awesome Cy mascot logos (except for the ******* tragedy that is the blue blender Cy), we sure as hell shouldn't be using AMES or Cyclones in script.

Yes, I know I'm an outsider on these views.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

I understand AMES for the specific throwback game helmets, but that's really the extent they should be used. And the Cyclones in script looks so generic it's not even recognizable as a sports identity.

If we're not using leaning Cy or any of those other awesome Cy mascot logos (except for the ******* tragedy that is the blue blender Cy), we sure as hell shouldn't be using AMES or Cyclones in script.

Yes, I know I'm an outsider on these views.

I think that's the battle that every department is faced with. The niche stuff that hardcore fans eat up (alternate/throwback logos/inside meanings) versus the easily identifiable things that act as free marketing and the casual fan tends to gravitate to.

It's an almost impossible balance if you're not the bluest of blue bloods.

I tend to agree with you that the newer stuff that's for the masses should be the main identity.

 

[Cyhig]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

I understand AMES for the specific throwback game helmets, but that's really the extent they should be used. And the Cyclones in script looks so generic it's not even recognizable as a sports identity.

If we're not using leaning Cy or any of those other awesome Cy mascot logos (except for the ******* tragedy that is the blue blender Cy), we sure as hell shouldn't be using AMES or Cyclones in script.

Yes, I know I'm an outsider on these views.

Valid points. Part of the issue is the frequency of the design changes. For example, if the script "cyclones" were still in use today. I would bet most of the general public would associate that script to Iowa State since it would had been in use consistently for 35 or so years.

People look at the Iowa helmet and immediately know it's Iowa. People look at the Minnesota "M", Michigan "M", or Nebraska "N" and know which school those helmets represent. Why? They have been using the same logo for decades

 

[CySanka3]

One thing that irks me with ISU apparel is how is there 279 different shades of red/cardinal? Blows my mind at any ISU sporting event seeing fans and it is like we cover the full spectrum of the red rainbow. I get Nike owns the rights to their specific pantones so other brands have to use a slight different shade but how can the university prevent it from getting so skewed? I see everything from pink to dark maroon. Do other red Schools have this issue? USC, ASU, Minn, BC, etc. all seem to keep theirs pretty in sync. Do we allow too many brands/companies rights to product apparel? Generally curious.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

One thing that irks me with ISU apparel is how is there 279 different shades of red/cardinal? Blows my mind at any ISU sporting event seeing fans and it is like we cover the full spectrum of the red rainbow. I get Nike owns the rights to their specific pantones so other brands have to use a slight different shade but how can the university prevent it from getting so skewed? I see everything from pink to dark maroon. Do other red Schools have this issue? USC, ASU, Minn, BC, etc. all seem to keep theirs pretty in sync. Do we allow too many brands/companies rights to product apparel? Generally curious.

You only notice it because you see it all the time.

Every school that uses red, maroon or purple struggles with different shades because there are so many variances on those colors.

 

[MartyFine]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

I understand AMES for the specific throwback game helmets, but that's really the extent they should be used. And the Cyclones in script looks so generic it's not even recognizable as a sports identity.

If we're not using leaning Cy or any of those other awesome Cy mascot logos (except for the ******* tragedy that is the blue blender Cy), we sure as hell shouldn't be using AMES or Cyclones in script.

Yes, I know I'm an outsider on these views.

Would it kill your wife to learn a scintilla of ISU history?

 

[CYCLNST8]

Don’t be sorry, you’re just keeping with the Iowa State tradition of random reds and yellow/golds on their branded attire.

The first step is acknowledging you have a problem.

 

[Jer]

One thing that irks me with ISU apparel is how is there 279 different shades of red/cardinal? Blows my mind at any ISU sporting event seeing fans and it is like we cover the full spectrum of the red rainbow. I get Nike owns the rights to their specific pantones so other brands have to use a slight different shade but how can the university prevent it from getting so skewed? I see everything from pink to dark maroon. Do other red Schools have this issue? USC, ASU, Minn, BC, etc. all seem to keep theirs pretty in sync. Do we allow too many brands/companies rights to product apparel? Generally curious.

I think it's three fold.

1 - Iowa State has changed it's colors/shades/logos more than what has to be the next 15 closest schools combined. Donald Trump changes lawyers less often.

2 - Cardinal (aka red) is a very difficult color to get uniformly applied to clothing for whatever reason.

3 - I haven't seen it with USC or MN, BC, etc... but we're also not around those products every day to observe/recognize it if it was.

 

[bgprest]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

My first thought when I saw the Ames helmet revealed was that Ames High will love adding this one for their team.
Don't get me wrong though, I do like the Ames helmet design, but I do agree that it's another logo that will confuse the general public. I do kind of think it might have been better to have used "Trice" in the same font instead.
My opinion is to keep the I-State logo as it's earned its keep as our traditional mark. Then add the tornado logo, NOT the turdnado, as our secondary mark. And then, maybe sneak in a gold helmet option...

 

[t-noah]

Makes me think that maybe we should have a "Clones" script logo on a helmet. But then nobody would be able to figure out just what we are... Clones, Cardinal, Cyclones...

Cardinal Clones of course

 

[BMWallace]

Homefield just dropped a Black and White Jack Trice bomber jacket.

 

[TrailCy]

but I do agree that it's another logo that will confuse the general public.

The idea the general public gets confused about what team is what is way overblown. Soccer teams have multiple jerseys with absolutely no common color scheme, TVs always have score boxes in the corner, and TV always has the teams that are playing in the info/description of the program.

If you're randomly flipping channels in TV as a non-fan the TV will still always tell you who is playing. (Not to mention I suspect very few people randomly stop scrolling their TV menu for an Iowa State football game.)

 

[BMWallace]

The idea the general public gets confused about what team is what is way overblown. Soccer teams have multiple jerseys with absolutely no common color scheme, TVs always have score boxes in the corner, and TV always has the teams that are playing in the info/description of the program.

If you're randomly flipping channels in TV as a non-fan the TV will still always tell you who is playing. (Not to mention I suspect very few people randomly stop scrolling their TV menu for an Iowa State football game.)

Look at the NBA with all of their alternate jerseys over the last decade-ish. And even tradition heavy MLB has been okay with changing colors and logos with all of the City Connect jerseys.

 

[t-noah]

The problem with the AMES logo or the Cyclones in script is that they have no visible relation to Iowa State for anybody but diehard ISU fans. Even my wife asked "what the **** is up with using Ames High on our helmets?".

I understand AMES for the specific throwback game helmets, but that's really the extent they should be used. And the Cyclones in script looks so generic it's not even recognizable as a sports identity.

If we're not using leaning Cy or any of those other awesome Cy mascot logos (except for the ******* tragedy that is the blue blender Cy), we sure as hell shouldn't be using AMES or Cyclones in script.

Yes, I know I'm an outsider on these views.

Ok then, I take back everything good I ever said about you!!

 

[t-noah]

I think it's three fold.

1 - Iowa State has changed it's colors/shades/logos more than what has to be the next 15 closest schools combined. Donald Trump changes lawyers less often.

2 - Cardinal (aka red) is a very difficult color to get uniformly applied to clothing for whatever reason.

3 - I haven't seen it with USC or MN, BC, etc... but we're also not around those products every day to observe/recognize it if it was.

You are now back in my good graces!

 

[BigJCy]

So any guessing on what combo we are going with Week 1?

I will say White Helmet/Cardinal Jersey/White Pants.

 

[Statefan10]

So any guessing on what combo we are going with Week 1?

I will say White Helmet/Cardinal Jersey/White Pants.

I could see us going that for the Iowa game too. I'd bet that combo you mentioned and then R/R/W are going to be our first two uniform sets.

 

[t-noah]

So any guessing on what combo we are going with Week 1?

I will say White Helmet/Cardinal Jersey/White Pants.

Does anyone (I forget who does this, @Sigmapolis?) have the uniform combinations we used last year?

 

[t-noah]

I need to check for patterns, before I place my bet.

Too early?

 

[SolarGarlic]

So any guessing on what combo we are going with Week 1?

I will say White Helmet/Cardinal Jersey/White Pants.

I think W/C/W are our de facto main home sets.

I'm one of the few who doesn't hate C/C/C, but W/C/W is solid.