While I moonlight as a writer here and elsewhere, I'm a designer by day and therefore, uniform and court designs fascinate me. For instance, I'm not a fan of the current Creighton home duds, because the typography across the front is unreadable due to the black outline and compressed font, and because the nameplate on the back sits too close to the number for my taste. But that's just my opinion. And hey, it could be worse: they could be running around with illustrated Bluejay feathers on their shoulders like Oregon's football team with their duck feathers. I scarcely dare give it utterance.
Anyway, several teams in the Valley are sporting new looks this year, both in terms of wardrobe and on-court designs, and here's a run-down of the changes plus my pithy commentary.
Anyway, several teams in the Valley are sporting new looks this year, both in terms of wardrobe and on-court designs, and here's a run-down of the changes plus my pithy commentary.
Drake Bulldogs: Drake's new uniforms have changed only slightly, with
the "Drake" logotype now smaller across the front and a slightly
different stripe pattern down the sides of the jersey and shorts. Also,
the bulldog logo that had appeared on the neckline is gone, replaced
with a thick black V-neck stripe on the home unis and a white stripe on
the road duds.
Last Year
This Year
Minor changes, to be sure, and most fans probably won't even notice. I'm on record as saying I hate the "Drake" logotype, because its whispy lines are too, um, *you know* for an athletic logo. If I was buying soap, that typography would look good on the bottle. On a jersey, its awful.
Indiana State: When Kevin McKenna took over as head coach of the Trees, they ditched the ugliest jerseys in the conference for a more traditional look. The herringbone-pattern around the collar and around the underarms looked ridiculous, especially for a team whose mascot is a Sycamore tree. This year they're changing the design on the court, albeit slightly:
That's right, they're naming the court after John Wooden and his wife, Nellie. At first glance, it seems odd considering 99% of fans associate the legendary Wooden with UCLA. But he began his coaching career at Indiana State in 1946, and got his masters degree from the school. The court will be officially named "John and Nellie Wooden Court", and has been repainted to signify it as such.
Missouri State: As Cuonzo Martin takes over head coaching duties, players names have been added to the backs of the jerseys. The oddly large type treatment across the front remains unchanged.
Last Year
This Year
Names on the backs of jerseys are something I know players appreciate, and as a fan I like it because I don't like referring to rosters during games. I need my hands to be free for beers and mini donuts. Good change by the Bears in my opinion.
Northern Iowa: The Panthers will no longer have "Panthers" written across the fronts of their home jerseys, but will instead wear mirror images of their long-time road duds, which list the name of the school rather than the mascot.
Last Year
This Year
The road uni's have long been a nice, clean traditional design, and the home uniforms now do as well. Good stuff by UNI.
Wichita State: Big stuff for the Shockers, who are ditching the awful duds they wore last year for the jerseys worn under Mark Turgeon. Gone are the collarbone stripes and the fat typography, back are the black-and-gold typography and nice stripe pattern.
Last Year
This Year
Also, they've repainted the court at Koch Arena. Gone are the shocks of wheat and the letters "WSU" that had appeared at midcourt. In its place is an enormous 25' x 30' WuShock, which looks a million times better. Their in-state rivals Kansas could learn a thing or two about restraint and proper design perspective: the Jayhawk that covers 60% of the court at Allen Fieldhouse looks absurd. Its way, way too big. Wichita State thankfully did not follow their lead.
You bet.
Last Year
This Year
Minor changes, to be sure, and most fans probably won't even notice. I'm on record as saying I hate the "Drake" logotype, because its whispy lines are too, um, *you know* for an athletic logo. If I was buying soap, that typography would look good on the bottle. On a jersey, its awful.
Indiana State: When Kevin McKenna took over as head coach of the Trees, they ditched the ugliest jerseys in the conference for a more traditional look. The herringbone-pattern around the collar and around the underarms looked ridiculous, especially for a team whose mascot is a Sycamore tree. This year they're changing the design on the court, albeit slightly:
That's right, they're naming the court after John Wooden and his wife, Nellie. At first glance, it seems odd considering 99% of fans associate the legendary Wooden with UCLA. But he began his coaching career at Indiana State in 1946, and got his masters degree from the school. The court will be officially named "John and Nellie Wooden Court", and has been repainted to signify it as such.
Missouri State: As Cuonzo Martin takes over head coaching duties, players names have been added to the backs of the jerseys. The oddly large type treatment across the front remains unchanged.
Last Year
This Year
Names on the backs of jerseys are something I know players appreciate, and as a fan I like it because I don't like referring to rosters during games. I need my hands to be free for beers and mini donuts. Good change by the Bears in my opinion.
Northern Iowa: The Panthers will no longer have "Panthers" written across the fronts of their home jerseys, but will instead wear mirror images of their long-time road duds, which list the name of the school rather than the mascot.
Last Year
This Year
The road uni's have long been a nice, clean traditional design, and the home uniforms now do as well. Good stuff by UNI.
Wichita State: Big stuff for the Shockers, who are ditching the awful duds they wore last year for the jerseys worn under Mark Turgeon. Gone are the collarbone stripes and the fat typography, back are the black-and-gold typography and nice stripe pattern.
Last Year
This Year
Also, they've repainted the court at Koch Arena. Gone are the shocks of wheat and the letters "WSU" that had appeared at midcourt. In its place is an enormous 25' x 30' WuShock, which looks a million times better. Their in-state rivals Kansas could learn a thing or two about restraint and proper design perspective: the Jayhawk that covers 60% of the court at Allen Fieldhouse looks absurd. Its way, way too big. Wichita State thankfully did not follow their lead.
You bet.
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