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Couldn’t One of Them Just Go with ‘Spring Spasm’ or ‘Vernal Vehemence’ or Something?

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Last Friday I lnked to an item about the NFL’s latest trademarking shenanigans. That led to a communiqué from reader Kenny Keil, who checked in with the following:

I was recently informed about the origin of the term “March Madness” and was intrigued to find out that it was first used by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) in the 1930s. When it was first used by the NCAA, Brent Musberger mentioned it and then the NCAA began licensing the term around 1973. The IHSA tried to sue but failed to enjoin the NCAA usage. Both organizations use it now, with the IHSA calling theirs “America’s Original March Madness.”

Maybe you all knew this already, but I didn’t (I’ve never been a huge college hoops fan). Anyway, it turns out that there’s a good uni-related payoff, because the IHSA’s web site includes photos of every state championship team dating back to 1908. Early highlights include Galesburg High in 1913, Bloomington in 1916 (dig the old English “B”), Centralia in 1918 (yet another use of the wishbone C — except for that kid in the front row), and Marion in 1921 (not sure what the “T” is for, but that is one fantastic logo!). And while I’ve never much liked basketball jerseys with nothing but a number on the front (seriously, how boring can you get?), but you’ve gotta like Taylorville’s 3-D block numerals from 1944.

Best photo of all: Check out the sweaters worn by Springfield in 1959. Damn — anyone know where I can get one of those?

Of course, as everyone began discovering yesterday, the real definition of March Madness is destined to be this.

Uni Watch News Ticker: Sandy Alomar Jr. is wearing uni No. 90 in Mets camp this spring, but a reader who prefers to remain nameless notes that he’s still wearing his old No. 26 knee savers (presumably a holdover from last year’s stint with the White Sox). … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Brutal pants stylings on the NC State baseball team. Someone tell these kids that this is precisely the maneuver that got Pedro Martinez fined last year. … Also from yesterday: Big kudos to College of the Sequoias, who are wearing some seriously amazing unis this season. Restore your faith in humanity by checking out the photo galleries here, here, here, and here. … Blast from the past: the Colorado Caribou’s infamous fringed jerseys (with thanks to Matthew Algeo). … All Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball teams will wear a purple armband, in memory and support of the Bluffton University team, which was involved in that bus crash a few days ago. Details are in the sidebar box toward the bottom of this article (with thanks to Tom Konecny).

 
  
 
Comments (183)

    Marion in 1921 (not sure what the “T” is for, but that is one fantastic logo!
    That “T” is most likely for Technical. The high schools in the midwest starting in the 1910s used Technical for trade high schools.

    Any reason why two of the basketball teams above (link and the 3-D guys in link seem to be issuing very high sequential numbers to their basketball teams? The first team in particular looks pretty unusual. Did they maybe order 55 jerseys in increasing sizes, so the varsity got the highest numbers?

    I’m a little confused. Do those new basketball jerseys actually have sleeves or is that guy just wearing an undershirt. And, I know that the blue alligator print jerseys were no big deal, but these ones sure are.

    Also, are the jerseys on the MLB.com store the final versions for 2007?

    [quote comment=”58626″]I’m a little confused. Do those new basketball jerseys actually have sleeves or is that guy just wearing an undershirt. And, I know that the blue alligator print jerseys were no big deal, but these ones sure are.

    Also, are the jerseys on the MLB.com store the final versions for 2007?[/quote]

    they’re undershirts…like underarmor.

    This may have been mentioned already (been away from the blog while on travel), but the Indiana High School Basketball tournament (as made famous by the movie “Hoosiers”) was referred to as “Hoosier Hysteria” back when I lived there (1977-81 or so).

    ed

    Speaking of Pedro’s fine last year. Did he ever cash the check or respond in any way?

    [quote comment=”58632″]Nit-pick time:

    Paul, I just noticed a minor typo. It should be “Vernal Vehemence”, not “Vernal Vehemance”.[/quote]

    Shit. I don’t think I can change the title of the entry without wiping out all of the comments. Then again, we don’t have many comments yet…. Hmmmm….

    [quote comment=”58635″][quote comment=”58632″]Nit-pick time:

    Paul, I just noticed a minor typo. It should be “Vernal Vehemence”, not “Vernal Vehemance”.[/quote]

    Shit. I don’t think I can change the title of the entry without wiping out all of the comments. Then again, we don’t have many comments yet…. Hmmmm….[/quote]

    Actually, it turns out I can change the title — so I did. Thanks for the proofreading!

    And no, Pedro never cashed or acknowledged the check. The funds ($70something) were put toward the Uni Watch Labor Day BBQ Party.

    Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year.

    wow!
    those ihsaa pics!
    the mother load of mcdonalds all americans, top college players while i grew up, and current nba guys…
    love “mike” finley’s hair!

    syracuse really fell off the deep end ok’ing those uni’s…

    The hell with the guy to the left with the eye black…scroll all the way to the right and link Did he step out of a time machine and take a seat in the dugout!?!

    Damn! Just when I have erased Chris Corchiani in the link from my memory, this crap comes out. I am usually on the Nike side of the great Nike/Uniwatch argument, but there is no way on Earth anyone link.

    Note: The about pay-per-view article was the only thing that I could find of the NC State Unitard. Any other info or images out there!?!

    Sort of relvant to the topic today.

    I posted this last weekend when the comments got wiped, but here is the link football team, forty years before I graduated.

    Nice tiger stripes on the sleeves!

    [quote comment=”58639″]wow!
    those ihsaa pics!
    the mother load of mcdonalds all americans, top college players while i grew up, and current nba guys…
    love “mike” finley’s hair!

    syracuse really fell off the deep end ok’ing those uni’s…[/quote]

    That’s the one thing that stuck out in my mind when I looked at the site…Finley would hate himself for doing that back then!!!

    [quote comment=”58642″]Sort of relvant to the topic today.

    I posted this last weekend when the comments got wiped, but here is the link football team, forty years before I graduated.

    Nice tiger stripes on the sleeves![/quote]
    What State?

    [quote comment=”58644″][quote comment=”58642″]Sort of relvant to the topic today.

    I posted this last weekend when the comments got wiped, but here is the link football team, forty years before I graduated.

    Nice tiger stripes on the sleeves![/quote]
    What State?[/quote]

    Sorry, this is Connecticut.

    [quote comment=”58631″]Here are the shirts(don’t look to be form fitting):

    link

    Here are the shorts:

    link

    Those are the jersey’s that Florida’s been wearing for at least a week now. The undersleeves are new, with most of the Florida guys wearing the regular blue sleeveless models.

    I’m more interested in the fact that there are pics of the link and link uniforms. Get used to those white ones, the Gators will be wearing them a lot. As for the Black, at least there are some actual alligators that are somewhat black looking. They’re more “realistic” than the blue.

    link…see if any of you bball fans recognize then guy in the back row between #4 & #15…now see if you see his name anywhere…oops! I guess you can’t get one of the best High School players name right!

    Seeing the College of the Sequoias almost brought a tear to my eye. This should be a mandated NCAA requirement.

    Marion in 1921 (not sure what the “T” is for, but that is one fantastic logo!

    That “T” is most likely for Technical. The high schools in the midwest starting in the 1910s used Technical for trade high schools.

    It actually stands for “township,” as in “Marion Township High School.” The use of “township” or “community” in the official naming of high schools is not uncommong in mostly rural southern Illinois, allowing the school to retain the identity of a particular locale while, ostensibly, not offending or neglecting those students who don’t live within the immediate city limits.

    I’m a graduate of Nashville (IL) Community High School (currently ranked #1 in the state for small enrollment boys’ b-ball at 32-0, and with link link to boot!). The “community” was added after our conglomeration with two nearby rural districts in the ’70s.

    [quote comment=”58649″]Is it just me,or are the numbers on the front of the Syracuse jersey off centered??
    link
    The description of these jerseys says “Screenprinted tackle twill”. What the hell is that? Is it fabric sewn onto the jersey or is it ink?

    It’s a banner day — my old high school (Centralia, IL) gets a Uniwatch mention! According to lore, our uniforms were so ragged, a sportswriter covering the state tournament one year said we looked like a bunch of “Orphans” — and the name stuck. Centralia’s girls are dubbed the “Orphan Annies.” Gotta love those names.

    As for Marion, I’m going to guess the “T” stands for “Township.” Many schools here in Illinois once used “Township” (including Centralia — CTHS) and some still use it in their proper names, including O’Fallon Township High School (OTHS) where I live currently.

    a712.g.akamai.net/7/712/2…4520_z.jpg
    a712.g.akamai.net/7/712/2…4520_z.jpg
    a712.g.akamai.net/7/712/2…0451_z.jpg
    a712.g.akamai.net/7/712/2…0452_z.jpg

    and here are the shoes their wearing with the jerseys(the LeBron IIs)
    img.photobucket.com/album…SUTEMP.jpg

    I played basketball at two high schools in the ’70’s, each team featuring just numbers on the jersey. I suffered in silence.

    [quote comment=”58654″]According to lore, our uniforms were so ragged, a sportswriter covering the state tournament one year said we looked like a bunch of “Orphans” — and the name stuck. Centralia’s girls are dubbed the “Orphan Annies.” Gotta love those names.[/quote]

    My Mom works at the Centralia hospital! Hooray for southern IL!

    Deriving a mascot by similar means is Freeburg (IL) Community HS, aka the “Midgets.” Sometime back in the early 1900s their boy’s b-ball team made the state finals without a single player standing over 5’8″… the rest is history.

    Other great Illinois high schools sports mascots:
    Freeport Preztels
    New Berlin Pretzels
    Cobden Appleknockers
    Hoopeston Cornjerkers
    Effingham Flaming Hearts
    Fisher Bunnies
    Teutopolis Wooden Shoes

    What am I missing on the College of the Sequoias baseball uniforms? They look normal and simple enough. What is the “seriously amazing” part?

    [quote comment=”58655″]Uhm… looking over on Page 2 I saw link. What’s up with this? That is Uniwatch territory![/quote]

    Interesting — I hadn’t seen that. Obviously, the whole thing is intended as a joke, so I don’t really feel like they’re stepping on my territory…

    [quote comment=”58638″] Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year. [/quote]

    Cool find, Christopher! I checked the fine print and it said nothing of having to be a resident of the U.K. to enter. The all lime green one was ugly (and has been done by other link) and the white was was too status quo. I went with the grey one as the small amount of lime green gives it a cool alternate look.

    If I remember correctly, sometime last year there was a League Championship or League 1 team that had a contect to design their kits for the subsequant season. I don’t remember the team. Anyone know who it was and what design won?

    (my apologies in advance if I screwed up my HTML formatting)

    ugh, “…League 1 team that had a CONTEST…”

    didn’t screw up the HTML but forgot how to type

    just wondering…
    looks like ishaa class a is only white guys
    and class aa is not.
    any specific reason there?

    [quote comment=”58663″]just wondering…
    looks like ishaa class a is only white guys
    and class aa is not.
    any specific reason there?[/quote]

    There is probably a correlation to urban and rural areas. In Illinois, if I’m not mistaken, Class A is obviously the smaller schools, which tend to be rural. Class AA is then, in turn, the larger schools, which tend to be more metro and urban areas.

    [quote comment=”58661″][quote comment=”58638″] Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year. [/quote]

    Cool find, Christopher! I checked the fine print and it said nothing of having to be a resident of the U.K. to enter.

    No, but it does apear that you have to join some membeship scheme.
    probably no biggie, but you’ll get inundated with SUFC e-mail.

    I went with the grey one as the small amount of lime green gives it a cool alternate look.

    Personally, I find grey kits on Grey winter days in England to be about as drab as drab gets. The white is a clean, classic look, but they would definitley need a third kit next year should they bump up against link, who could quite possbly be in the top flight next year. link are traditionally a source for clashes among the red or white crowd too.

    If I remember correctly, sometime last year there was a League Championship or League 1 team that had a contect to design their kits for the subsequant season. I don’t remember the team. Anyone know who it was and what design won?

    I don’t remember who did it last season, but it’s happend a lot over the years, especially since most teams link to link colour sceme for theirlink. Lots of clubs have seen their alternate kits as a means to offer feedback from the fans.

    adam in chicago….i’ll counter your appleknockers and pretzels with the hickman kewpies of columbia, missouri

    link

    check out that mascot

    some other notables on the state title list…
    mike conley… former olympic long jumper and father of current osu pg mike conley…
    tony rice… former notre dame qb…

    i noticed also that quentin richards(on) whent to whitney young, the school featured in the movie cheaters…

    [quote comment=”58665″][quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    The guy just before the batter’s helmet (bill side) has the same design.

    I’d been looking for shots of the Caribous of Colorado in the fringe jerseys. Those designers must have been “Rocky Mountain High”. There’s also a color pic available at: link (scroll down about 40%).

    [quote comment=”58664″][quote comment=”58663″]just wondering…
    looks like ishaa class a is only white guys
    and class aa is not.
    any specific reason there?[/quote]

    There is probably a correlation to urban and rural areas. In Illinois, if I’m not mistaken, Class A is obviously the smaller schools, which tend to be rural. Class AA is then, in turn, the larger schools, which tend to be more metro and urban areas.[/quote]

    Right on the mark. Class A is made up of smaller, typically rural schools and some private schools. Class AA are the larger schools in places where the populations are more diverse.

    [quote comment=”58658″]Other great Illinois high schools sports mascots:
    Freeport Preztels
    New Berlin Pretzels
    Cobden Appleknockers
    Hoopeston Cornjerkers
    Effingham Flaming Hearts
    Fisher Bunnies
    Teutopolis Wooden Shoes[/quote]

    Nothing on Colorado’s often-hilariously-mispronounced link.

    Does anyone have the two pictures of the new Ohio State hockey unis? The one picture was of all the players lined up at the blue line and the other was them celebrating a goal.
    I can seem to find it in the archives.

    Many thanks

    [quote comment=”58630″]This may have been mentioned already (been away from the blog while on travel), but the Indiana High School Basketball tournament (as made famous by the movie “Hoosiers”) was referred to as “Hoosier Hysteria” back when I lived there (1977-81 or so).

    ed[/quote]

    I do believe the state tourney was referred to as Hoosier Hysteria until the late nineties when the IHSAA switched to a class system and effectively killed Indiana high school basketball.

    Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy? Second of all, you know when the sport is a business when you play your home games at an arena that’s called The Quicken Loans Arena, barf.

    [quote comment=”58659″]What am I missing on the College of the Sequoias baseball uniforms? They look normal and simple enough. What is the “seriously amazing” part?[/quote]

    Precisely. “Normal. “Simple” These days, that is amazing.

    [quote comment=”58675″][quote comment=”58630″]This may have been mentioned already (been away from the blog while on travel), but the Indiana High School Basketball tournament (as made famous by the movie “Hoosiers”) was referred to as “Hoosier Hysteria” back when I lived there (1977-81 or so).

    ed[/quote]

    I do believe the state tourney was referred to as Hoosier Hysteria until the late nineties when the IHSAA switched to a class system and effectively killed Indiana high school basketball.[/quote]

    Here is an article on Hoosier Hysteria from today’s IndyStar:
    link

    [quote comment=”58668″]some other notables on the state title list…
    mike conley… former olympic long jumper and father of current osu pg mike conley…
    tony rice… former notre dame qb…

    i noticed also that quentin richards(on) whent to whitney young, the school featured in the movie cheaters…[/quote]

    How many remember link (link) and link( link)??

    ILL-

    [quote comment=”58666] …Lots of clubs have seen their alternate kits as a means to offer feedback from the fans.[/quote]
    I just left that member# blank and it still accepted the contest entry. If I get a bunch of email I’ll just block ’em.

    I’m pretty sure this has been posted before (and it’s similar to the links Bob had in his post), but if not: link

    And it’s always fun to see some of the debacles teams come up with:
    link
    link

    [quote comment=”58678″]Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy?[/quote]

    link

    [quote comment=”58678″]Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy? Second of all, you know when the sport is a business when you play your home games at an arena that’s called The Quicken Loans Arena, barf.[/quote]

    Might want to check out the link from dictionary.com:

    1. a horseman, esp. a mounted soldier; knight.

    On the naming rights issue, here is my stance. I really enjoyed being one of the only cities without any naming rights venues: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field, and Gund Arena. Dan Gilbert (Chairman and Founder) of Quicken Loans bought the team a couple years ago and changed the naming of the arena. I didn’t want him to, but warmed up when he built an office with a few hundred workers in Cleveland for his company. If he is going to help boost the local economy, I’m OK with it.

    What am I missing on the College of the Sequoias baseball uniforms? They look normal and simple enough. What is the “seriously amazing” part?

    Classic! They all had their pants and socks the same way. But what really did it for me was the “S” on the stirrup socks. Gorgeous.

    [quote comment=”58638″]Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year.[/quote]
    Hmmmm I wonder, since the new kits have my employer’s logo on them…do you think they’ll let me wear it to work?!

    regarding the Sequoias uniform: aside from the script, the pinstripes, the stirrups (and the fact that you can actually see them), what i really like is the black down the front. that’s a sharp look and one that the river city rascals, a minor league team in o’fallon mo, used a few years ago. they’ve gone away from that recently but it’s still my favorite look from them.

    [quote comment=”58678″]Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy? Second of all, you know when the sport is a business when you play your home games at an arena that’s called The Quicken Loans Arena, barf.[/quote]
    I think UVA has the same mascot and I think it has something to do with a pirate looking guy who brandishes a sword? the old TB Buccaneers logo comes to mind. Cavaliers sounds better than Swashbucklers. expensive inusrance???

    Found this picture of link

    If you read the caption underneath, Corchiani says the players elected to wear their shorts because, “Without the shorts that’s…uhh…a bit too much.”

    Also, Middletown, CT High School used to be called the Tigers. They merged with Woodrow Wilson High School in 1985, and now they are the Blue Dragons (yuk!).

    [quote comment=”58661″][quote comment=”58638″] Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year. [/quote]

    Cool find, Christopher! I checked the fine print and it said nothing of having to be a resident of the U.K. to enter. The all lime green one was ugly (and has been done by other link) and the white was was too status quo. I went with the grey one as the small amount of lime green gives it a cool alternate look.

    If I remember correctly, sometime last year there was a League Championship or League 1 team that had a contect to design their kits for the subsequant season. I don’t remember the team. Anyone know who it was and what design won?

    (my apologies in advance if I screwed up my HTML formatting)[/quote]

    It was Motherwell FC of the Scottish premiership. From Wikipedia: “This year(2006) saw the ‘Well fans being able to design the new Home and Away kits through a competition. The three designs chosen by a panel, went to a public vote with William Kay’s traditional looking idea for the home strip winning the vote. The full claret away strip was Andrew MacLeod’s design.”

    Thanks for the link on the NC State unitard Brian K. Now my nightmares will be shared by all in Uniwatch Land!

    Thank God they elected to wear shorts!

    [quote comment=”58690″]Found this picture of link

    If you read the caption underneath, Corchiani says the players elected to wear their shorts because, “Without the shorts that’s…uhh…a bit too much.”

    Also, Middletown, CT High School used to be called the Tigers. They merged with Woodrow Wilson High School in 1985, and now they are the Blue Dragons (yuk!).[/quote]

    Yes, indeed! 1985 was my graduation year, the first year of the aforementioned merger! One good thing about thet was we got all brand new uniforms for all sports for that year – using the Blue Dragons colors of navy, columbia and white. We avoided orange & black (the old MHS colors) and maroon & gray (the old WWHS colors)

    [quote comment=”58665″][quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    Must be related to link.[/quote]
    ….or just a fan of link!

    I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’d never heard of the link, but dug their uni’s! Anyhow, I looked it up and turns out that not only do they have a great throwback style, but one of their link is none other than Jays great link, who was link a pretty big link himself.

    If you like the College of the Sequoias unis you chould check out Indiana Tech’s jerseys and socks. Go to their web site here link – you’ll have to scroll through their main page’s pics to find the right ones, but you’ll know them when you see them.
    I currently play baseball at Cumberland University, and we played them recently.

    [quote comment=”58696″][quote comment=”58665″][quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    Must be related to link.[/quote]
    ….or just a fan of link![/quote]

    Or link guy.

    [quote comment=”58681″][quote comment=”58668″]some other notables on the state title list…
    mike conley… former olympic long jumper and father of current osu pg mike conley…
    tony rice… former notre dame qb…

    i noticed also that quentin richards(on) whent to whitney young, the school featured in the movie cheaters…[/quote]

    How many remember link (link) and link( link)??

    ILL-[/quote]

    others i saw were
    marcus liberty illinos
    laphonso ellis ND
    ed horton Iowa
    rashard griffith wisconsin
    cuonzo martin purdue (teamed w/ ellis)
    donnie boyce colorado (teamed w/ finley)
    sherrell ford ga tech (teamed w/ finley)
    shaun livingston duke-nba

    [quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    When Missouri State (then SW Mo State) was in the College World Series in 2003, the whole team went that route with the eye black – any pics?

    On the Nike “system” — Oh no!

    On the College of the Seqouia’s unis — Oh my God!

    [quote comment=”58650″]Seeing the College of the Sequoias almost brought a tear to my eye. This should be a mandated NCAA requirement.[/quote]

    Agreed. Those photos are so heartwarming. With all of the Uni Blight that there is in the world (those NC State pants, for instance), it is good to know there are still those who are fighting the good fight.

    [quote comment=”58686″][quote comment=”58638″]Sheffield United of the Premier League is letting fans vote on their away linkfor next year.[/quote]
    Hmmmm I wonder, since the new kits have my employer’s logo on them…do you think they’ll let me wear it to work?![/quote]
    Maybe for a company softball or soccer team?

    Cavaliers are essentially members of a horse-regiment cavalry. They got their name from the Spanish horseman, called cavalieros, who had been responsible for killing Protestants in Europe during the early 16th century. Upper-class men were trained at a young age to ride horses during this time. This meant that King Charles had the advantage of having a very good cavalry. Parliament’s soldiers gave them the nickname “Cavaliers”.

    The Cavaliers in the American army helped defeat the English during the American Revolution, and helped the Yankees defeat the Confederates during the Civil War.

    Virginia Cavaliers were royalist supporters in the royal colony of Virginia at various times during the colonial period of the United States. I assume Cleveland took the name due to their chivalrous, courageous, and loyal nature.

    LOVE the College of the Sequoias uniforms. The home pinstriped jerseys are crazy good.

    Too bad no mlb teams had the balls to do something that simple and classic with some of the current redesigns.

    [quote comment=”58702″][quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    When Missouri State (then SW Mo State) was in the College World Series in 2003, the whole team went that route with the eye black – any pics?[/quote]

    As one of a very few college baseball fans in the US, I can attest to the fact that the Hovan/Ultimate Warrior eyeback has been big in college baseball over the last few years. Check out ASU and South Carolina as some examples. Also, it seems the college kids jumped on the flat brimmed hats too. Khalil Greene being one of them. I will try to find some pics.

    One more thing…how about the Clintonvillle(WI) Truckers as a HS team nickname??

    After a little research of Manny Ramirez’s new spikes, since I had never seen them before, I found that they are actually a Nike football shoe put onto a baseball spike sole. A good shot of Manny’s spikes link and link. The Nike football cleat is the Vapor Jet TD found link. This is not new for Manny however, the RBK cleats work by David Ortiz and himself previously were originally a football cleat. Also, upon reviewing the photos closer it looks like Manny’s cleats may still have the football spike pattern. An expert here will certainly help me.

    Growing up in central Illinois….today’s topic hits close to home! Love the march madness logo!

    [quote comment=”58692″]OK, beat this. The Midgets.

    link

    In Missouri, there’s also the link. I always liked how that rolls off the tongue.

    [quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    maybe its just me but it looks like he is just wearing white sunglasses?

    Put me down on the list that thinks the basketball jerseys featuring numbers only on the front are OK. Granted, they are a little plain, but given some recent trends, their simplicity would be a breath of fresh air (see topic discussed on page2 by our own Mr. Lukas link).

    I would equate something like that to Penn State’s football unis, simple and classic.

    [quote comment=”58713″][quote comment=”58634″]Anybody notice the link on the dugout guy on the left[/quote]

    maybe its just me but it looks like he is just wearing white sunglasses?[/quote]

    He also has eye black on that point downward

    [quote comment=”58710″]After a little research of Manny Ramirez’s new spikes, since I had never seen them before, I found that they are actually a Nike football shoe put onto a baseball spike sole. A good shot of Manny’s spikes link and link. The Nike football cleat is the Vapor Jet TD found link. This is not new for Manny however, the RBK cleats work by David Ortiz and himself previously were originally a football cleat. Also, upon reviewing the photos closer it looks like Manny’s cleats may still have the football spike pattern. An expert here will certainly help me.[/quote]

    ?

    Wasn’t this posted yesterday?

    In a new marking ploy, the University of Pittsburgh has decided (actually some marketing group has decided) that nothing physical around campus (ie. signs) will have a panther present. All of the logos will be of words. Lets hope scripted PITT.
    This is in effect for the next 4 years. See ya later Panther.

    OK, the mention of C.C. Sabathia makes the following question less of a threadjack…

    In looking at the SI postcard from Indians camp, I noticed link of picture day.
    I know that a few years back, the Indians decided to make the Chief Wahoo logo smaller on the front of the caps and even employed link that got rid of it all together. The story was that the team was trying to transition the logo out all together.
    So, what happened? Making the logo on the front smaller doesn’t really change much and the Indians are still using Chief Wahoo as they did before. I am not looking at this from a PC angle, but more of a “what happened?” angle.
    Any thoughts/updates would be appreciated…

    Here’s another name that just affects the respective sports arena. Well, I know $money$ talks. The Nashville Predators have an awesome team. Nashville is a nice city, and The King lived not too far from here, but link Entertainment Centre? Chryst, if a gay-lord wants to put their cheesy ass name on my property for $100’s of million, why not eh?
    Gaylord Entertainment is America’s fastest-growing specialty lodging and entertainment organization. [taken from the article].

    Paul did a blog entry about baseball players wiping their face on their jerseys a few months ago…it looks like Adam Wainwright has moved up a level from wiping his face with a jersey to eating clubhouse towels.

    link

    [quote comment=”58721″]Here’s another name that just affects the respective sports arena. Well, I know $money$ talks. The Nashville Predators have an awesome team. Nashville is a nice city, and The King lived not too far from here, but link Entertainment Centre? Chryst, if a gay-lord wants to put their cheesy ass name on my property for $100’s of million, why not eh?
    Gaylord Entertainment is America’s fastest-growing specialty lodging and entertainment organization. [taken from the article].[/quote]

    Gaylord Hotels also sponors the Music City Bowl:
    link

    [quote comment=”58721″]Here’s another name that just affects the respective sports arena. Well, I know $money$ talks. The Nashville Predators have an awesome team. Nashville is a nice city, and The King lived not too far from here, but link Entertainment Centre? Chryst, if a gay-lord wants to put their cheesy ass name on my property for $100’s of million, why not eh?
    Gaylord Entertainment is America’s fastest-growing specialty lodging and entertainment organization. [taken from the article].[/quote]

    I fail to see the problem here. It’s no worse than Qwest or US Cingular or PacBell or Petco or American Airlines or Air Canada buying naming rights to an arena or stadium.

    The arena sold the naming rights to the highest bidder. ‘Nuff said.

    If it has to do with the name, Gaylord Hotels also operates Gaylord Opryland and sponsored the Music City Bowl (as noted by Matthew S.). A rose by any other name still smells as sweet.

    [quote comment=”58712″][quote comment=”58692″]OK, beat this. The Midgets.

    link

    In Missouri, there’s also the link. I always liked how that rolls off the tongue.[/quote]

    Oh but don’t forget about the link out of Freeport, Illinois. I believe the story is that they’re home to the first pretzel making factory in the world. I also have a good friend who graduated from Putnam County and is VERY proud to be a Midget alumnus.

    I didn’t like any of the three choices for Sheffield United’s away kit, but went with the white one.

    Sheffield recently acquired the Chengdu team in China, and the Chengdu Blades’ link is much better looking.

    although it would be better if stadiums and arenas had names that reflected history, this practice is nothing new, even Lousiville plays in Papa Johns Stadium, there is just too much money being offered for naming rights to turn it down, if you have seen BASEketball, they make fun of staduims by playing in arenas named after tampon companies

    Amateur and professional Uni-watchers alike agree: those new b-ball unis are hella stupid. From the DC Sports Bog:

    Speaking of Syracuse, here’s a preview of the most hideous jerseys ever, which will be worn by the Orange and a select few (but not few enough) other teams in the conference tournies. The idea promises to be an abject failure along the lines of New Coke, so much so that said cliche will probably be changed to, “that’s the worst idea since those Nike jerseys!” and the poor scientists behind New Coke will finally be spared.

    Just wanted to add my two cents about the new basketball unis from Nike. The shorts are baggy, yes, but not that huge of a deal that players will be fussing them while on the court. I regularly wear shorts that are this baggy on the court and have found that I don’t even notice them when the game is being played. They don’t stop me from doing anything that I would normally be able to do without the extra fabrid around my thighs (and sometimes partway down my shins). I couldn’t find them online anywhere but they are Jordan brand shorts and have really wide openings on the legs and a tighter waist giving it the same kind of look that the shorts that Florida, Ohio State and the others will be wearing.

    They are similar to link but with a small slit on the outside of the bottom on each leg and what looks to be a bit of a heavier fabric.

    Like I said, they may look a little silly but they are very comfortable and don’t affect my play whatsoever. In fact, I have been playing better now than I ever have.

    Nothing more needs to be said about the ridiculous Nike CBB unis, but I will say that I at least like the Gator-pattern fabric!

    [quote comment=”58725″][quote comment=”58712″][quote comment=”58692″]OK, beat this. The Midgets.

    link

    In Missouri, there’s also the link. I always liked how that rolls off the tongue.[/quote]

    Oh but don’t forget about the link out of Freeport, Illinois. I believe the story is that they’re home to the first pretzel making factory in the world. I also have a good friend who graduated from Putnam County and is VERY proud to be a Midget alumnus.[/quote]

    I see your pretzels and midgets and raise you a speedway sparkplug. Speedway is an Indiana H.S. right by the Indianapolis motor speedway.
    link

    [quote comment=”58728″]I’ve got a small item about the new OSU/Syracuse/Fla uniforms on link.[/quote]

    So Paul, the rumord UNC new threads was just that, a rumor?

    Ken “Hawk” Harrelson just said on the Sox telecast that it looks like everyone who wears the new BP caps has a pencil behind their ear. Just a little announcer banter, had not heard the pencil remark about the caps, but then they also brought up how a Sox player said it looked like everyone was wearing a do-rag (have heard that one already). Go Sox…glad baseball is back.

    I have a school nickname for the debate. The Dots. Ohh, and the name of the school (and the town) is Poca. As in The Poca Dots.
    link

    On the subject of nicknames…

    Pleasant Hill High School outside of Eugene, OR is nicknamed the Billies… that’s right, a rural town’s nickname is the Pleasant Hill Billies. Sadly, their mascot is a goat rather than link.

    About 10 years or so ago, my Middle School in Wisconsin was having a student vote on what the new nickname of the school should be. We had never had one before. We were just called by our name in athletics. The schools name is McDill. And wouldn’t you know it, all the kids got together and rigged the contest that one name for certain would win. Since we were located in central WI, we figured it would go un-noticed, and it did for about a week, until someone on the boared realized the new nickname was inappropriate. The winning nickname…The Does (as in a female deer). That’s right. For about a week my school had the name “The McDill Does”.

    [quote comment=”58628″]http://men.style.com/images/news/0307/01/030507h.jpg[/quote]

    As a Syracuse grad, I am appalled by those uniforms.

    God bless link and all their striped glory..

    In case any of you can catch Avril Lavigne’s new video “Girlfriend” she rocks some stripe socks and high heels..haha..you can mute it if you want..

    There was another pic in Maxim where the model has nothing by socks on..at least she has her priorities straight..

    Not as funny as midgets or Pleasant Hill Billies or Poca Dots, but…

    Highland Park High School in Dallas is the Highland Park Scots and the baseball team’s stadium is called Scotland Yard.

    Hamlin H.S. in Hamlin, TX is known as the Pied Pipers.

    Mesquite H.S. is known as the Skeeters.

    More mascots: link

    I’m not sure if you can beat the Poca Dots, but I have always found the Boiling Springs link to be an interesting nickname. They are so proud of it that they requested their official website, provided by the PA Department of Education, to be link.

    Of course, whenever my high school (with the boring nickname of “Lions”) played them, we got to hold up signs saying “Burst the Bubblers,” which was fun.

    [quote comment=”58735″][quote comment=”58728″]I’ve got a small item about the new OSU/Syracuse/Fla uniforms on link.[/quote]

    So Paul, the rumord UNC new threads was just that, a rumor?[/quote]

    This is the latest feature on AOL.com about the gawd awful new nike uniforms. The comments are great!! link

    [quote comment=”58725″][quote comment=”58712″][quote comment=”58692″]OK, beat this. The Midgets.

    link

    In Missouri, there’s also the link. I always liked how that rolls off the tongue.[/quote]

    Oh but don’t forget about the link out of Freeport, Illinois. I believe the story is that they’re home to the first pretzel making factory in the world. I also have a good friend who graduated from Putnam County and is VERY proud to be a Midget alumnus.[/quote]

    I think I have one that trumps all…The South Webster link. link was a totally obscure character from the Popeye comics, and now he is link. I always hated playing link.

    [quote comment=”58746″][quote comment=”58725″][quote comment=”58712″][quote comment=”58692″]OK, beat this. The Midgets.

    link

    In Missouri, there’s also the link. I always liked how that rolls off the tongue.[/quote]

    Oh but don’t forget about the link out of Freeport, Illinois. I believe the story is that they’re home to the first pretzel making factory in the world. I also have a good friend who graduated from Putnam County and is VERY proud to be a Midget alumnus.[/quote]

    I think I have one that trumps all…The South Webster link. link was a totally obscure character from the Popeye comics, and now he is link. I always hated playing link.[/quote]

    That is pretty obscure. Eugene may have been the inspiration for something else too:

    link

    And specifically:

    “Many, including Ermey, claim that the likelier origin refers to the character Eugene the Jeep in the Thimble Theater (Popeye) comic strip. Eugene the Jeep was dog-like and could walk through walls and ceilings, climb trees, fly, and just about go anywhere it wanted; it is thought that soldiers at the time were so impressed with the new vehicle’s versatility that they informally named it after the character. The character ‘Eugene the Jeep’ was created in 1936.”

    I thought we weren’t ‘allowed’ to use the term midgets anymore…? Didn’t they legally change their ‘profile’ as dwarfs? either way, they both don’t sound nice.
    If a midget could be used as a mascot, why isn’t an Indian allowed, ie. Cleveland Indians. You could actually use these terms in a discriminating manor. Like that one midget on Seinfeld, Kramer said he likes to be called a dwarf.
    haha…Kramer.

    The Poca Dots!!!!

    Best high school team name evah!!!

    Also in WV, there used to be a high school in Bramwell, where there just happened to live quite a few well-to-do folks, which led the school to adopt the nickname of ‘Millionaires’. link

    Here’s a nice story on Hockey Uniforms and the seamstress for the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL

    link

    [quote comment=”58718″]In a new marking ploy, the University of Pittsburgh has decided (actually some marketing group has decided) that nothing physical around campus (ie. signs) will have a panther present. All of the logos will be of words. Lets hope scripted PITT.
    This is in effect for the next 4 years. See ya later Panther.[/quote]
    Good riddance. link is definitely one of the worst logos in college athletics.

    I am waaaay too lazy to go back and read all of the comments, but as I am a high school student in Illinois, yes, I did know that the IHSA used it first (bragging), but also that the T in link logo probably stands for Township, as in Marion Township High School. Many schools in Chicagoland still do this, like my school’s rivals, the Warren Township High School Blue Devils (thank god that all that isn’t on the front of the uni)

    [quote comment=”58751″][quote comment=”58718″]In a new marking ploy, the University of Pittsburgh has decided (actually some marketing group has decided) that nothing physical around campus (ie. signs) will have a panther present. All of the logos will be of words. Lets hope scripted PITT.
    This is in effect for the next 4 years. See ya later Panther.[/quote]
    Good riddance. link is definitely one of the worst logos in college athletics.[/quote]

    Good Lord. What IS that?

    Havent commented in a while, but I love Illinois HS basketball, and Paul you made my day, I will send you some more cool Illinois Hs basketball uniforms that I have from different games I have seen. The sectional semi finals start tonight, this is the last year of the two class system in Illinois, like Indiana they will switch to a multiple class system. So, this is a very appropriate entry, because this a historic time for the legendary IHSA state tournament.

    [quote comment=”58743″]Not as funny as midgets or Pleasant Hill Billies or Poca Dots, but…

    Highland Park High School in Dallas is the Highland Park Scots and the baseball team’s stadium is called Scotland Yard.[/quote]

    am just CHOKING with laughter at Scotland Yard :D

    [quote comment=”58751″][quote comment=”58718″]In a new marking ploy, the University of Pittsburgh has decided (actually some marketing group has decided) that nothing physical around campus (ie. signs) will have a panther present. All of the logos will be of words. Lets hope scripted PITT.
    This is in effect for the next 4 years. See ya later Panther.[/quote]
    Good riddance. link is definitely one of the worst logos in college athletics.[/quote]

    Good call. I’ve seen that logo before, but up close it looks more like a bear than a panther.

    [quote comment=”58684″][quote comment=”58678″]Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy? Second of all, you know when the sport is a business when you play your home games at an arena that’s called The Quicken Loans Arena, barf.[/quote]

    Might want to check out the link from dictionary.com:

    1. a horseman, esp. a mounted soldier; knight.

    On the naming rights issue, here is my stance. I really enjoyed being one of the only cities without any naming rights venues: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field, and Gund Arena. Dan Gilbert (Chairman and Founder) of Quicken Loans bought the team a couple years ago and changed the naming of the arena. I didn’t want him to, but warmed up when he built an office with a few hundred workers in Cleveland for his company. If he is going to help boost the local economy, I’m OK with it.[/quote]

    My feeling on the issue is this: Gordon Gund owned the team. He put his name on his arena. Danny Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans, bought the team. He didn’t want an old owners name on HIS arena. He didn’t want his own name on his arena. He didn’t want to deal with someone buying naming rights. So, he just put his company’s name on the arena. I got no problems.

    (It is important to note here that I am from Detroit, which means my point of comparison is the Palace of Auburn Hills, which revolutionized sports and entertainment venues. It is the biggest NBA, ALWAYS sells out, and is just a beautiful building. Not to mention, has an intense crowd.)

    I went to the stadium in its last season as Gund Arena. That place was depressing. It was dark. It looked old. It didn’t come close to selling out. (The game was LeBron vs. Melo. Still no sell out.) The suites weren’t nice, and, despite being a Pistons fan, I was the loudest one in the building. The Cavs were down by three with 2 minutes to play. Barely any cheering. People wouldn’t get out of their seats. I just didn’t get it.

    Then came the new owners. And the new name. And the stadium renovation. I went back (me and dad make a yearly pilgramage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This always includes a Cavs game.) The game was Cavs vs. Bucks. And the stadium was alive. It was bright, the seats were new, the scoreboards were beautiful. It was just wonderful.

    So, if you can, in one season, revitalize a stadium like that, you can call it whatever you want.

    [quote comment=”58757″][quote comment=”58751″][quote comment=”58718″]In a new marking ploy, the University of Pittsburgh has decided (actually some marketing group has decided) that nothing physical around campus (ie. signs) will have a panther present. All of the logos will be of words. Lets hope scripted PITT.
    This is in effect for the next 4 years. See ya later Panther.[/quote]
    Good riddance. link is definitely one of the worst logos in college athletics.[/quote]

    Good call. I’ve seen that logo before, but up close it looks more like a bear than a panther.[/quote]

    Looks more like a mountain, says I. They’re the Pitt Mountains… and as far as I know, aside from the rolled mountains, theres none there.

    [quote comment=”58737″]I have a school nickname for the debate. The Dots. Ohh, and the name of the school (and the town) is Poca. As in The Poca Dots.
    link

    Dang it, you beat me to it!

    But I’ll raise you the link out of Sheldon, IA. Nobody is really sure what an Orab is.

    Also in Iowa:
    Belle Plaine–Plainsmen
    Boone–Toreadors (translation: bullfighters)
    Camanche–Indians
    Center-Point Urbana–Stormin’ Pointers
    Dowling Catholic–Maroon
    Estherville–Midgets (we’ve got another midget team!)
    Grandview Park Baptist–Defenders
    Interstate 35–Roadrunners (school made of 3 towns along I-35)
    Mason City-Mohawks
    Moravia–Mohawks
    Scattergood Friends–Scattergood Crew

    Now really weird; NO Mascots for the following:
    Iowa Mennonite School, Morning Star Academy, Valley Lutheran

    And here’s the kicker…Paul you might not want to read this…

    Notre Dame-Burlington Nikes! I can’t get the school link to work but here’s an article that uses the mascot frequently. Almost link.

    Nice to see the IHSA get a mention. It’s too bad America’s Original March Madness has such bad referees. Both of my school’splayff games had terrible refs (maybe they didn’t like the Nike stripes on the front of the jerseys.) We went all out for the 2nd game, face painting and everything, and the refs were just terrible and cost us a regional championship.

    [quote comment=”58761″][quote comment=”58737″]I have a school nickname for the debate. The Dots. Ohh, and the name of the school (and the town) is Poca. As in The Poca Dots.
    link

    Dang it, you beat me to it!

    But I’ll raise you the link out of Sheldon, IA. Nobody is really sure what an Orab is.

    Also in Iowa:
    Belle Plaine–Plainsmen
    Boone–Toreadors (translation: bullfighters)
    Camanche–Indians
    Center-Point Urbana–Stormin’ Pointers
    Dowling Catholic–Maroon
    Estherville–Midgets (we’ve got another midget team!)
    Grandview Park Baptist–Defenders
    Interstate 35–Roadrunners (school made of 3 towns along I-35)
    Mason City-Mohawks
    Moravia–Mohawks
    Scattergood Friends–Scattergood Crew

    Now really weird; NO Mascots for the following:
    Iowa Mennonite School, Morning Star Academy, Valley Lutheran

    And here’s the kicker…Paul you might not want to read this…

    Notre Dame-Burlington Nikes! I can’t get the school link to work but here’s an article that uses the mascot frequently. Almost link.[/quote]
    Well Nike was originally a greek goddess of victory right? A good mascot for a female sports team, if it weren’t for other circumstances…

    I knew who Nike was (vaguely), but given the opinion towards Nike that most of us share…I found it funny and ironic.

    [quote comment=”58764″]I knew who Nike was (vaguely), but given the opinion towards Nike that most of us share…I found it funny and ironic.[/quote]
    gotcha, how old is that school? i wonder if their mascot predates the company

    Not sure…can’t get the school’s webpage to open for me. During a Google search of the school I did find that a funeral director in the Burlington area graduated from Notre Dame HS in 1970 though

    [quote comment=”58761″][quote comment=”58737″]I have a school nickname for the debate. The Dots. Ohh, and the name of the school (and the town) is Poca. As in The Poca Dots.
    link

    Dang it, you beat me to it!

    But I’ll raise you the link out of Sheldon, IA. Nobody is really sure what an Orab is.

    Also in Iowa:
    Belle Plaine–Plainsmen
    Boone–Toreadors (translation: bullfighters)
    Camanche–Indians
    Center-Point Urbana–Stormin’ Pointers
    Dowling Catholic–Maroon
    Estherville–Midgets (we’ve got another midget team!)
    Grandview Park Baptist–Defenders
    Interstate 35–Roadrunners (school made of 3 towns along I-35)
    Mason City-Mohawks
    Moravia–Mohawks
    Scattergood Friends–Scattergood Crew

    Now really weird; NO Mascots for the following:
    Iowa Mennonite School, Morning Star Academy, Valley Lutheran

    And here’s the kicker…Paul you might not want to read this…

    Notre Dame-Burlington Nikes! I can’t get the school link to work but here’s an article that uses the mascot frequently. Almost link.[/quote]

    The ultimate logo creep. What if they wear Reebok?

    Re: The Nike unis for Florida, Ohio State etall.

    What is most offputting about them is the complete and utter dichotomy between the tight formfitting tops and baggy as fuck xtra, xtra, XTRA long shorts that makes the look supremely ‘tarded.

    PS- didnt I read somewhere that Pat Riley copyrighted “March Madness?” Or was it another sports-slogan.

    [quote comment=”58767″][quote comment=”58761″][quote comment=”58737″]I have a school nickname for the debate. The Dots. Ohh, and the name of the school (and the town) is Poca. As in The Poca Dots.
    link

    Dang it, you beat me to it!

    But I’ll raise you the link out of Sheldon, IA. Nobody is really sure what an Orab is.

    Also in Iowa:
    Belle Plaine–Plainsmen
    Boone–Toreadors (translation: bullfighters)
    Camanche–Indians
    Center-Point Urbana–Stormin’ Pointers
    Dowling Catholic–Maroon
    Estherville–Midgets (we’ve got another midget team!)
    Grandview Park Baptist–Defenders
    Interstate 35–Roadrunners (school made of 3 towns along I-35)
    Mason City-Mohawks
    Moravia–Mohawks
    Scattergood Friends–Scattergood Crew

    Now really weird; NO Mascots for the following:
    Iowa Mennonite School, Morning Star Academy, Valley Lutheran

    And here’s the kicker…Paul you might not want to read this…

    Notre Dame-Burlington Nikes! I can’t get the school link to work but here’s an article that uses the mascot frequently. Almost link.[/quote]

    The ultimate logo creep. What if they wear Reebok?[/quote]

    I’m not really sure that is logo creep though given what Allison and Metsfan AZ are saying above.

    Nike was one of the lower gods of Ancient Greece. She was the companion of Athena, the goddess of war and strategy, and embodied the winning spirit of battle and competition (so you can see why an athletic apparel company would use that as their name).

    I knew going to a Greek Orthodox school for the first few years of elementary school would pay off someday…this certainly helped jog my memory however: link

    [quote comment=”58769″]PS- didnt I read somewhere that Pat Riley copyrighted “March Madness?” Or was it another sports-slogan.[/quote]

    He supposedly has a claim on the term “Three-peat”. At least thats what I recall.

    HELP ME!!!!
    Ok Uni Watchers. I now live north of Sacramento. There is a lot of softball played out here and it’s starting to pick up. When I played in Ohio I rocked the shorts with sliding shorts on underthem, and a pad over my leg so when I had to slide, I didn’t get road rash all over. Now out here, I want to go back to wearinf stir-ups. but with shorts on, is it ok to wear the faux ones or am I supposed to rock real ones over long socks, assuming I can find real ones now days. oh, it get’s over 110 outside, so I’m not wearing pants so drop that thougth right away. thanks!

    There are so many cool nicknames in Illinois and in my school’s conference the most unique name are from my Hornets. There are even two schools in the seven team conference that are the Mustangs.

    My school’s official name includes township. There are two schools that are named after this township. My school is not in the city the township is named after, but the other school is. A kid said something in the local paper and used our city’s name instead of the school name (the township we are in.) That was my first aste of a great rivalry as this is my freshman year.

    [quote comment=”58684″][quote comment=”58678″]Last night I found myself watching an NBA game between link, first of all, what the hell is a Cavalier besides a vehicle with an expensive insurance rate and rides like crap on the road. Was the Cleveland team named after a crappy Chevy? Second of all, you know when the sport is a business when you play your home games at an arena that’s called The Quicken Loans Arena, barf.[/quote]

    Might want to check out the link from dictionary.com:

    1. a horseman, esp. a mounted soldier; knight.

    On the naming rights issue, here is my stance. I really enjoyed being one of the only cities without any naming rights venues: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field, and Gund Arena. Dan Gilbert (Chairman and Founder) of Quicken Loans bought the team a couple years ago and changed the naming of the arena. I didn’t want him to, but warmed up when he built an office with a few hundred workers in Cleveland for his company. If he is going to help boost the local economy, I’m OK with it.[/quote]

    I totally agree with the naming rights issue. I love going to Jacobs Feild and I still call Quicken Loans Arena “The Gund.” I always feel like we have kind of an old school persona since we don’t have all of our arena’s whoring their names off to the highest bidder.

    And if you are going to make fun of the Cavalier name maybe you should take a look around the league. How many grizzlies do you see in Memphis and is jazz a real big thing in Utah? And uncreative can you be by calling your basketball team the Nets?

    What is most offputting about them is the complete and utter dichotomy between the tight formfitting tops and baggy as fuck xtra, xtra, XTRA long shorts that makes the look supremely ‘tarded.

    Compared to what FLA actually wore against TEN, these pictures are conceptual and purposely exaggerated for publicity. The teams colors are respected, no rules been broken and the players will have the last say anyway. Otherwise they would still play in “stocktons”.
    It’s like when Michigan started to wear baggies 15 years ago : look how fast it became mainstream. I agree they could spare some -awesome- fabric on the shorts, but people must accept a few linksometimes, it is called evolution. Smart move from Nike no matter what happens.

    OK, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one here whose high school mascot was the link. What the hell is a Spoofhound, you ask? As usual, link explains it better than I could.

    Martinsville (IN) High School, alma mater of the great John Wooden, is known as the Artesians. Don’t know why…didn’t think Martinsville, IN was some hotbed of art or whatever.

    Another good’un is the Frankfort (IN) Hot Dogs! Nothing is quite as funny as seeing that “Marching Hot Dogs” truck when you drive past that school on I-65

    HELP! Can someone please give me a link to the “D-Bags” shirt that’s a mock of the new “D-Backs” jerseys?

    [quote comment=”58775″]What is most offputting about them is the complete and utter dichotomy between the tight formfitting tops and baggy as fuck xtra, xtra, XTRA long shorts that makes the look supremely ‘tarded.

    Compared to what FLA actually wore against TEN, these pictures are conceptual and purposely exaggerated for publicity. The teams colors are respected, no rules been broken and the players will have the last say anyway. Otherwise they would still play in “stocktons”.
    It’s like when Michigan started to wear baggies 15 years ago : look how fast it became mainstream. I agree they could spare some -awesome- fabric on the shorts, but people must accept a few linksometimes, it is called evolution. Smart move from Nike no matter what happens.[/quote]

    That’s an excellent point douglas–the backlash against Michigan and the Fab Five wore baggy shorts was pretty loud at first, and now it’s a widely accepted look–but there are two types of evolution in sports uniforms: fashion and performance.

    I can’t see how these would help performance in any way (in fact it seems if the shorts get any bigger, players will have to worry about tripping constantly).

    Nike is making this change purely from a fasion standpoint and only time will tell if it catches on with teams. That being said, there’s such a thing as taking a concept to it’s logical extreme; I think this is Nike taking a design concept to it’s illogical extreme.

    It all really comes down to personal taste. I happen to think they’re atrocious and I’m finally glad that Daniel Stern’s NBA is so strict about on court style. You do make good points though, douglas.

    Adam from Chicago–formerly Nashville–thanks for the township clarification and the Southern Illinois references.

    From a proud Marissa Meteor

    disappointed to see oakland wearing their black on black jerseys (instead of mismatched gold and black) in the mid con championship. i don’t really like the mismatched look, but i thought it was interesting and cool that it was all based on superstition. I am assuming they ditched the look earlier in the year?

    I will wait and defer judgement on the new Nike unis until I see them actually on players during a game. I haven’t seen any links to the dedicated website that explains the design elements though, so here it is (it was in the press release this afternoon)

    link

    the funny thing about the new nike unis is if a player doesnt like the new baggy shorts cant he just wear a smaller size?

    [quote comment=”58792″]Has nobody mentioned the link?[/quote]

    I can’t believe I forgot about them! They were made famous by all those ESPN commercials a few years back…on another site that I frequent, we made an impressive list of schools with weird nicknames about a year ago but the thread has disappeared. We probably had about 400 schools listed

    Thanks for your comments Matthew. All I am saying is why not try it. Right or wrong, these guys should know what they’re doing. Thanks for the link Matt.

    [quote comment=”58739″]About 10 years or so ago, my Middle School in Wisconsin was having a student vote on what the new nickname of the school should be. We had never had one before. We were just called by our name in athletics. The schools name is McDill. And wouldn’t you know it, all the kids got together and rigged the contest that one name for certain would win. Since we were located in central WI, we figured it would go un-noticed, and it did for about a week, until someone on the boared realized the new nickname was inappropriate. The winning nickname…The Does (as in a female deer). That’s right. For about a week my school had the name “The McDill Does”.[/quote]

    Out of curiosity what town was this? I’m from Stevens Point

    [quote comment=”58658″][quote comment=”58654″]According to lore, our uniforms were so ragged, a sportswriter covering the state tournament one year said we looked like a bunch of “Orphans” — and the name stuck. Centralia’s girls are dubbed the “Orphan Annies.” Gotta love those names.[/quote]

    My Mom works at the Centralia hospital! Hooray for southern IL!

    Deriving a mascot by similar means is Freeburg (IL) Community HS, aka the “Midgets.” Sometime back in the early 1900s their boy’s b-ball team made the state finals without a single player standing over 5’8″… the rest is history.

    Other great Illinois high schools sports mascots:
    Freeport Preztels
    New Berlin Pretzels
    Cobden Appleknockers
    Hoopeston Cornjerkers
    Effingham Flaming Hearts
    Fisher Bunnies
    Teutopolis Wooden Shoes[/quote]

    Nothing beats the Oconomowac (WI) Coons, not the Racoons, but the Coons

    [quote comment=”58765″][quote comment=”58764″]I knew who Nike was (vaguely), but given the opinion towards Nike that most of us share…I found it funny and ironic.[/quote]
    gotcha, how old is that school? i wonder if their mascot predates the company[/quote]

    From the looks of things, the school outdates the multinational swooshers. They also happen to wearlink

    The irony iof it all is that, while named after a Greek goddess, this is, from my limited research, a pretty fundamentalist Christian school. So, instead of asking why name your school tams after a multinaitonal, I ask, why name your school teams after a non-Christian diety?

    Go figure.

    SB

    link that works,it’s a picture the the Nike team with an UNDERARMOUR (sp?) logo on her headband great!

    [quote comment=”58771″][quote comment=”58769″]PS- didnt I read somewhere that Pat Riley copyrighted “March Madness?” Or was it another sports-slogan.[/quote]

    He supposedly has a claim on the term “Three-peat”. At least thats what I recall.[/quote]

    AH you are correct, sir.

    [quote comment=”58782″]HELP! Can someone please give me a link to the “D-Bags” shirt that’s a mock of the new “D-Backs” jerseys?[/quote]

    daggone, i know i saw it on this site. Did a Google Images search, didn’t see it.

    Your from Point “Billy the Kid”?!?! So am I! I live in Janesville now and am an asst. golf pro down here. And I had it slightly wrong in the post. It was McDill Elementary School, not middle school. opps. Where did you go to school in Point? I Graduated from SPASH in 2002. DO you not remember that fiasco at McDill? It happened when I was in about 5th grade I think. It never made it to the papers or anything though, so I guess if you weren’t there, one wouldn’t know about it.

    I had no clue a fellow Pointer was here on Uni Watch. We could be talking about Point Beer, The Hilltop, Belts Ice Cream, UWSP making a run at another DIII Men’s Basketball Title… Go Pointers!

    Sorry for the Pointer ranting

    And now…….. back to uni’s
    And n

    [quote comment=”58797″][quote comment=”58765″][quote comment=”58764″]I knew who Nike was (vaguely), but given the opinion towards Nike that most of us share…I found it funny and ironic.[/quote]
    gotcha, how old is that school? i wonder if their mascot predates the company[/quote]

    From the looks of things, the school outdates the multinational swooshers. They also happen to wearlink

    The irony iof it all is that, while named after a Greek goddess, this is, from my limited research, a pretty fundamentalist Christian school. So, instead of asking why name your school tams after a multinaitonal, I ask, why name your school teams after a non-Christian diety?
    Go figure.

    SB[/quote]

    My wife is from Burlington, IA and some guys in my fraternity went to the Notre Dame HS that your discussing. It is just a regular Catholic HS in Iowa, it isn’t Bob Jones High; while your point about mascots may be valid, it in no way should be called a “pretty fundamentalist Christian school.”

    [quote comment=”58772″]HELP ME!!!!
    Ok Uni Watchers. I now live north of Sacramento. There is a lot of softball played out here and it’s starting to pick up. When I played in Ohio I rocked the shorts with sliding shorts on underthem, and a pad over my leg so when I had to slide, I didn’t get road rash all over. Now out here, I want to go back to wearinf stir-ups. but with shorts on, is it ok to wear the faux ones or am I supposed to rock real ones over long socks, assuming I can find real ones now days. oh, it get’s over 110 outside, so I’m not wearing pants so drop that thougth right away. thanks![/quote]
    I think the stirrups are best, then long socks with the colored stripes around the calves, then faux stirrups.

    And if you’re worried about dirt rash, do what I did wen I played in LA- go head first into everything.

    a few points:

    first- while the College of the Sequoias unis are nice, it seems odd to me that a small school has the budget for 3 different unis. Hopefully they have a wealthy alum paying for those.

    second- for those that dont know, another instance of Cavaliers was in teh English Civil War, the Cavaliers vs the Roundheads. (Royalists vs Parliamentarians) Oliver Cromwell, King Charles I and all that. This ends the history lesson.

    third- the rumor was that the making Chief wahoo smaller and making the sunday/ Alt hats was a step away from the Wahoo image. This plan may have worked if they didnt make the lone logo on the vest the Chief. I dont think I have ever seen anyone outside of a member of the team or the Jacobs Field usher staff wearing one of the script I hats. My 2 biggest beefs with that set of uni changes was a) the Vest- the whole thing just looks like a bad softball uni. They have had vests in teh past, and could have used that design instead of the cheaply designed current vest. and second, they changed the shade of blue of the cap from a very dark navy (close to the shade of the Yankees hats) to a shade some where between navy and royal (although admittedly, closer to navy.) I love the old darker hats, the new shade doesnt sit right with me. At the same time they added silver thread around the hat logos, and the script on the jersey. I got a road grey jersey last season and dont hate the silver thread as much as I used to, but it seems unecessary to me. (also I prefered the red accents on this uni style over the blue, but hey, I cant have it all.)

    My wife is from Burlington, IA and some guys in my fraternity went to the Notre Dame HS that your discussing. It is just a regular Catholic HS in Iowa, it isn’t Bob Jones High; while your point about mascots may be valid, it in no way should be called a “pretty fundamentalist Christian school.”[/quote]

    Ok. You know the place better than I do. I was just reading from their promo blurbs, and ihe language was a little stonger than I’m used to reading from a Parochal school. Especially since we don’t have Parochial schools where I live.

    I still like their unis. The Girls one edges out the guys based on the side flashes and the number font.

    SB

    [quote comment=”58762″]Nice to see the IHSA get a mention. It’s too bad America’s Original March Madness has such bad referees. Both of my school’splayff games had terrible refs (maybe they didn’t like the Nike stripes on the front of the jerseys.) We went all out for the 2nd game, face painting and everything, and the refs were just terrible and cost us a regional championship.[/quote]

    What school? I’m at Stevenson in Lincolnshire, and we won our region, because we have money. (5000 kids at a school has gotta get us something)

    [quote comment=”58779″]Martinsville (IN) High School, alma mater of the great John Wooden, is known as the Artesians. Don’t know why…didn’t think Martinsville, IN was some hotbed of art or whatever.

    Another good’un is the Frankfort (IN) Hot Dogs! Nothing is quite as funny as seeing that “Marching Hot Dogs” truck when you drive past that school on I-65[/quote]

    The Artesians nickname comes from the Artesian wells in the area. At least that’s what I’ve been told.

    Here’s a full list of link. Among my favorites not mentioned already…

    Vincennes Lincoln ‘Alices’
    Madison-Grant ‘Argylls
    Crawfordsville ‘Athenians’
    Logansport ‘Berries’
    Hobart ‘Brickies’
    Mishawaka ‘Cavemen’
    Cloverdale ‘Clovers’
    Jimtown ‘Jimmies’
    Shoals ‘Jug Rox’
    Tell City ‘Marksmen’
    Delphi ‘Oracles’
    Plymouth ‘Pilgrims/Rockies’
    Rockville ‘Rox’
    Rising Sun ‘Shiners’
    LaPorte ‘Slicers’
    Indianapolis Northwest ‘Space Pioneers’
    Greenwood ‘Woodmen’
    Rochester ‘Zebras’

    [quote comment=”58810″][quote comment=”58762″]Nice to see the IHSA get a mention. It’s too bad America’s Original March Madness has such bad referees. Both of my school’splayff games had terrible refs (maybe they didn’t like the Nike stripes on the front of the jerseys.) We went all out for the 2nd game, face painting and everything, and the refs were just terrible and cost us a regional championship.[/quote]

    What school? I’m at Stevenson in Lincolnshire, and we won our region, because we have money. (5000 kids at a school has gotta get us something)[/quote]

    Hinsdale South in Darien. We’re less fortunat of the two schools in our district, but we got those rich kids at cheers at basketball games (and the principal and athletic director sit behind the student section at big games because of that.)

    Anyone else see PTI today where they talked about those stupid new long sleeve tight basketball jerseys Syracuse will be wearing next season? They look like a long sleeve under armour heat gear top. Paul may have hit on this before but I have been away from the site for a couple weeks…

    UGHHH!!!!

    The jerseys are not long sleeve!!

    I talked about it yesterday and others have mentioned it

    The models are wearing undershirts!! Got to eastbay and look at them. They are normal plain ol jerseys except Florida has gator print on them

    I just noticed on one of the under-armour type long sleeve shirts for Arizona that on the dark blue ones, tat least towards the bottom, in very small red lettering in many rows, they have names of past Arizona players, I found Mike Bibby, Damon and Salim Stoudamire, and Steve Kerr. Pretty Neat effect. I like this jersey idea since only a small number of teams use it, unlike those shoulder hooks that every nike user has, my suggestion is that they shorten the shorts, I think it’s pretty bold putting “orange” on a jersey , I like the number offsetting technique that nike uses for the syracuse jersey

    [quote comment=”58832″]Those of you who like the dark stripe down the fronts of the Sequoia jerseys might also like the link.[/quote]

    OWWW my eyes!!! What the hell is that abomination on the sleeves?

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