April 21, 2008
Hokies plan "white out" for season opener
Virginia Tech has announced plans to kick off the season with a white out, and will use the occassion to don all-white tribute uniforms and helmets to honor the past Hokies football teams.
The Hokies call for a "White Out" at Lane Stadium, and it’s not just any color-scheme. It’s to help promote reading across the Commonwealth.The university will sell special "White Out" t-shirts, starting on Saturday (April 19th) at the University Bookstore, and at the stadium store for the Spring game. They’ll cost $6.00 each.
All of the proceeds will go to the "Herma Readers" program. It’s a non-profit organization that promotes reading and literacy to children during their formative years, in kindergarten through 3rd grade. It’s also a tribute to coach Frank Beamer mother, Herma Beamer, who taught for more than 30 years.
I suppose this is one way to build interest for a game against Furman, but it's notable because the tribute uniforms will the first time the Hokies have worn all-white uniforms at Lane Stadium.
Tech says the jerseys will have stripes on the shoulders to represent the Jerry Claiborne era. The helmet will be white with an orange state of Virginia displayed on the sides, to honor the Charlie Coffey years. The stripes of the pants will represent Jimmy Sharpe’s years. A white "T" within the "V" logo used during Bill Dooley’s early seasons will be worked into the front of the jerseys.
I know the VT faithful are pretty loyal to their traditions, but I -- for one -- love the throwback uniform look and it seems that the athletic department has actually put some thought into how to do a tribute to the 60's, 70's and 80's squads.
HT: UniWatch
Comments:
Zac said:
posted on April 21, 2008 7:49 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
A lot of programs have been getting into one-color schemes to honor the team. Bama & NE have been viewed from the air, and those seas of red are awesome. Rich Rodriguez actually convinced the fans to wear those “yellow” (supposed to be gold) T-Shirts in an attempt to do the same thing. Although it looked more like something out of a Frenches add, it was still cool to see everything the same color.
Given the Hokies traditional colors, not to mention Penn St’s, white is a bit problematic. You get some guy who’s not interested in participating wearing the traditional burgundy, or worse yet a half dozen sitting in the same spot, and they stick out like a sore thumb. Worse yet, what if Furman decided to participate as well, arriving in all white. How are they gonna tell each other apart out there?
Husker Chris said:
posted on April 21, 2008 9:10 PM — 98.16.153.54 — link — abuse?
I'd like to see VT show up in Lincoln in their all-white, and the Huskers in all-red. Ha. The throwback helmets though are cheeesy... Nonetheless, the Husker vs. VT game is gonna be a fun non-conference game no matter how you look at it...
Regan said:
posted on April 24, 2008 1:17 AM — 75.182.53.208 — link — abuse?
If there is one thing I have learned in the last few years browsing Fanblogs, it is that excluding fan bias, there is absolutely no uniform design that more than 50% of people really like.
I guess this is because some people like traditional, Penn State-esque threads, and some people (hey, at least one person...) really has an affinity for Futuristic Oregon Duckwear.
For my money, the best threads were the 2000-2003 Miami Hurricane jerseys; the same general design that is now being used by many other teams like Appalachian State and Oregon State.
There is only one truth to whether or not someone likes a certain uniform look. If the team wins in them, the fans will love them.
Otherwise, it will just be idiots like me that like seeing Notre Dame line up in green jerseys...
Tomcat said:
posted on April 24, 2008 6:19 AM — 69.150.78.200 — link — abuse?
#10 Zac your right, you mean that someone actually copied something from Da U and it passed under their noses without somekind of TM infringment-rediculas.
#9 Regan What was so special? Sorry I dont get it, were they much different? Who was copying who?
The UO Ducks change uniforms with the changing wind. You mean they copied Miami ? IMHO If V Tech wants to wear some kind of special stuff for one game-whatever. The Maroon helments would probably look better with maroon pants- no wait thats the Aggies
Go Rice OwlsRegan said:
posted on April 24, 2008 8:36 PM — 75.182.53.208 — link — abuse?
Zac (#10):
Tomcat (#11):Well, the 2000-2003 Miami uniform design was designed by Nike, and the 'Canes have changed uniform styles twice since using the 2000 design anyway.
I have stated many times my absolute conviction in the fact that changing the uniform design has been the sole reason for Miami's struggles since the Dorsey era ended. :-)
Sure, there were off-the field issues, coaching and talent levels decreasing, and a few other 'tangible' reasons, but I believe all of them stem from the symbolic loss of the awesome threads.
No one can prove I am wrong about that, so I'm taking that one to the grave :-)
As far as Miami's proclivity for ceasing and desisting with regards to other teams 'copying' it's stuff, I've noticed that they only go after the "U" trademark on the helmets, etc. (or in this case what they somehow see as infringing on the U).
When all Miami athletic uniforms went through a modernized / standardization process in 2000, Nike was told that the "U" trademark had to be a part of it, and that the helmets, etc. shouldn't be changed.
Even in fashion, it's all about the "U" (emblem). Miami could care less what the threads themselves look like...but they apparently take anything that could potentially resemble the "U" as a challenge.
All of this makes perfect sense in the offseason... :-)
1st_and_NOLE
said:
posted on April 21, 2008 11:14 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?There's no doubt VT will make it look great. They have wonderful fan participation.
Other then this instance, Penn St is the only school that does a "white out." (Penn St's looks amazing.