Fellow Hokies...
In the Indoor Athletic Training Facility, the wall banner above the "Patrick D. Cupp Field" designation features the "new" tricolor helmet. It was one of the later pieces put in place, and is by far the largest banner in the IATF. No other "one off" helmet is on the walls (although one white helmet is visible from the front, all the rest are traditional maroon), and the prominence is striking. As far as I know, VT has maintained that this helmet was a one-time use, then a "special case" second use at Purdue. But with the wearing of the orange lids for a second time this week as we take on ECU, we have yet to see the traditional maroon make an appearance. I'm wondering (and throwing it out for discussion) if this is the beginning of the overall rebranding we've heard about.
Kudos to VT Football equipment, because we've looked stellar so far this year IMHO.
Go Hokies!!!
Comments
If I had to bet on a conspiracy theory, I'd go with the rebranding/redimensioning of the helmet logo sticker has caused us to use the alternate lids so far because the new stickers haven't been delivered yet.
#nosources
A little blurb about Mr. Cupp in case you didn't know who he was. (I had to google him) "CUPP, Patrick Darius, (Pat), 60, of Blacksburg, died Saturday, September 23, 2000. He was the beloved husband of Sandra Caldwell Cupp. Mr. Cupp was a real estate broker, builder, developer and property manager. A 1970 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a graduate of the Realtors Institute of Virginia, Pat devoted his life to his family, friends and community and shared his zest for life with everyone who met him. He was a generous supporter of many worthwhile causes including Virginia Tech and Radford University."
If you look at a full image of the facility, the banners form this year's set of promotional artwork (same as the posters). It was probably put up so late because it was a late reveal (they only revealed the tri-color poster shortly before the season).
This does make me ponder on the question: what if the re-branding means the end of the maroon helmets? That would be interesting, to say the least.
First, 100% agree that the team's color schemes have been great so far this year, at least IMO.
Second, I don't think maroon helmets are going anywhere. As big a deal as #allmarooneverything has been in recent years, I don't think Whit would allow such a blatant disregard of fans' wishes. At least I'd hope not.
The indoor facility is a big recruiting tool so I don't have a problem showing off flashy modern helmets and other details so the cruits can see them when they come in.
Any word or info anybody might have as far as rebranding is concerned now that we have a new coaching staff in place? I am talking helmets, jerseys, really the whole 9 yards? I am a fan of how our jerseys already are. I do love the helmets that we wore against U.VA, I guess they were throwbacks but still traditional looking VA TECH. I also was a fan of the metallic helmets that some people straight up hated and really the whole look we had for OSU as well as our black look for UNC. I know in the grand scheme of things winning is more important than uniforms but it is one of those stupid things that matter to 17-22 year old kids playing football and swag is important to some kids when making a decision, I specifically recall reading about a certain kid from Ocean Lakes saying "more swag from Va Tech could help in their recruiting." But to me swag is what Miami depends on, not VT, but I do agree a little variety wouldn't hurt from time to time just not every game like Oregon. I just feel like having the new indoor facility, new HC and Offensive staff, and a new guy on the Defensive staff now would be a time that they look at changing some other things as far as looks go (if that is something Whit and others wanted to do).
Last I heard from one of VT's licensing attorneys a couple weeks ago was that it was still in the fledging stages. There's been a couple of concepts tossed around but nothing finalized yet. But we should have new uniforms, fonts, etc. come week 1 of the 2016 season.
Everything uniform related should be finalized, I'd think. Consider they order uniforms in November for the next season, I would think they'd be ordered.
From what I understand, they're able to finalize numbers and things in their order in November but don't go into actual production until February/March, so the designs don't need to be finalized until then.
Not all of us care about winning exclusively. I've enjoyed the last four years despite not winning anything amazing, but the uniforms are really starting to get dull to me.
I am waiting for a new UNIQUE jersey before I replace my Brandon Ore #28. I don't like that our current jerseys are LSU/Ole Miss with a different color. Give us something we can call our own, that has some subtle things of VT significance. I won't be shelling out $100 for the basic jersey that some Nike intern changed color.
Amen
If you were a Maryland fan, you'd have any number of clown suits to choose from.
You'd have a real gripe if you were an Alabama or Penn State fan.
Penn State and Alabama are two of the strongest, most valuable brands in college football. They both recruit fine. Not much to gripe about there. Maybe your comment was /s?
To be certain, our current jerseys are throwbacks to old VT jerseys. I understand what you're saying, but you're wrong.
I think the point was that Nike is making a big deal out of this rebrand, so we'd better at least get something that stands out when you see it.
As long as it looks good I am all for it. What I don't want is a "unique" uniform that comes out like Miami's or Louisville's re-branding did (a hot mess). Thankfully we are not sponsored by Adidas like they are.
Completely agree. I'm hoping Nike will give us one of their "subtle and classy but unique" designs.
The reason for the shoulder strips is that they were throwbacks to the uniforms Tech wore in Beamer's playing days...and it sort of stuck. They were not "hey, let's copy LSU!"
Bring back whatever we wore from '04-'07. The pro combat all white from 09 was sweet too. I call it our storm trooper look.
The one orange arm look that Marcus Vick wore, no thank you.
That's one of my favorite looks we've had.
You mean the best jerseys ever made?? Loved those and loved that only us, Florida, and Oregon got them, but I still wouldn't want them every week.
Miami did, too.
I'm still partial to these jerseys:
Wow, 115 teams in 2000 and 128 teams in 2015. The NCAA has averaged almost 1 new FBS team every year. How long do you think this trend lasts?
AD's will continue to be enticed by the additional TV money that comes along with being in an FBS conference. As long as there are conferences looking to add teams (*cough*Sun Belt*cough*), there will be teams looking to make the jump.
There's no reason to expect it to end any time soon. They're mostly (all?) converts from FCS that have invested more into their programs. The financial incentives over the long haul (talking decades) are just great.
I think we do need some kind of rebrand. It's time to let go of the old and in with the new. I do like those orange chrome helmets, loved the ones we wore at UVA. I wish we wore those lids every game. Our helmets have fantastic this year, along with the black unis.
and
This should be our new look, you can mix in the white and orange depending on effect games and away games:
Where did these graphics come from?
This is amazing. Where did it come from?
HOLY SMOKES...those are perfect! Why can't we have these?!?!
To reply to all three posts above, these were someone's creation that initially came out as a hoax claiming to be our Maroon Effect uniforms a few years back. The design is slick, but also is not legal per NCAA rules. At minimum, the numbers have to stand out from the maroon of the uniform; they'd likely have to be white.
That's a shame...but I'd be totally OK with white numbers, if anything it'd be more Virginia Tech. It gives us a new fresh look, while still keeping the classic Hokies look that everyone wants.
I figured it was some kind of fan concept art, but it's very well done aside from the weird font (and poor contrast) of the numbers.
could do without the hokie tracks too
Speaking of this, did you see Stanford's black uniforms. If they were enough contrast, I think we could still do something a little different than standard white numbers. We could also use more maroon in any blackout type combo we would want to use.
I've always thought these looked awesome. I'd love it if they became our main uniforms.
Those look good, but I hope we never have turkey tracks on a football uniform again.
If we show up wearing anything that looks some what close to those jerseys (within NCAA rules and regs) I would be one happy hokie. The concept is basically a fresh look on our jerseys from 1999-2003 which were my years in the burg.
Saw this while googling VT jersey concepts. I like it if we are are trying to incorporate more burnt orange. Thoughts?
Hate to say it, but's that's just too close to:
Except is it better because it lacks a scissors logo.
My thoughts exactly. I really dislike that loluva look.
No. Do not like.
I'd really like to see the helmets that we wore against UVA become the main helmet.
No offense but those are boring and give me the feeling of looking like every other team with a strip in their uniform (Iowa, OSU, LSU). The 80's and early 90's of over, time for modern jerseys.
I would much rather see something sleek and up-to-date (no strips) in maroon and the mirror of in white. Four helmets: Military appreciation, All maroon, Tri color away helmets/white , specialty helmet worn once, twice max (Hokie Stone, chrome, matte, what ever your heart desires)
If you want strips jerseys, save it for homecoming and bring them out. Just too old school and plain. Hate to say it but what these kids wear on gameday is just as powerful a recruiting tool as anything else we pitch in recruiting.
Scroll up and see my comment on the all maroon concept. They are awesome.
I do not like the one helmet that was posted with the chrome maroon and orange.
I disagree, those helmets from the UVA game are throwbacks, and good ones at that. Chrome and whatever is nice, but everyone, even high schoolers dig throwbacks. Plus ours pop, whether you're at the game or watching on TV. The all maroon ones we've worn for years are dull and the don't grab anyone's attention. Adding that white facemask with the stripes I think is a unique enough look and could become very recognizable if paired with the right jerseys. Of course there should be some variety for certain games, maybe a fighting gobbler or TV logo thrown in every once in a while. I think the Hokie Stone should be worn once a year, who cares what everyone outside of us thinks, those helmets speak to Hokies everywhere.
As an "oldie" Hokie, I like tradition. Having said that, I like that new tri colored suped up helmet. I really do dislike radically different uniformed from week to week. I hope whoever, comes up with a nice, not wild, uniform that is a reflection of the new era, and we stick with it. When you see the uniform I want folks to immediately associate it with VT.
I'm with you - our current white or maroon uniforms with the shoulder stripes with the helmet from the UVA game is by far my favorite look of the past several years.
We are set to get a whole new look for 2016 which will coincide nicely with all the changes in the program.
It was stated in an earlier thread, but next year's team won't be your daddy's Hokies in any way shape or form (except for LPD).
I forsee a lot of getting off of lawns directed from some of the more experienced alumni in future months...
If the kids like them, I'll like them. If it get big recruits to come I'll LOVE them.
Personally, I hope we ditch the Navy helmets after this year.
Why did we move away from those?
Because the 'get off my lawn' segment of the fan base complained to a guy who looked for any reason to change from 'cool' and 'new'
Those really were some pretty solid uniforms. A unique and modern uniform that wasn't over the top.
I agree with you. I feel like we were on the same "cool" factor with Oregon for a while (05-09), and then we decided to take a more "traditional" approach to our uniforms. Never really understood that move. We were one of Nike's "elite schools" and then dropped them and never recovered.
Put it this way... the Nike defined name for the number font of that uniform set is 'Blacksburg'.
In the Independence Bowl, Virginia Tech plays against Tulsa. Guess which school will be wearing uniforms with the 'Blacksburg' font...
yep...
Liked the home and orange, but the away sucked.
These uniforms with the helmets we wore vs. LOLUVA and I think we'd look as sharp as our new style of play will be!