Classic helmets, but not great designs

[winghaz]

There are a number of classic college football helmets that won't be changed (at least not in the near future), but don't have great designs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting they be changed (except for maybe one or two). I'm just saying that if they weren't classic helmets, worn by classic programs, they might be subject to change. For example:

Ohio State

Pattern, problem: No real logo except for the little Buckeye patches that are earned, and they're all put on one side of the helmet unless the player earns so many that they go on the other side.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably the O with a Buckeye sticking out of the corner.

Worth changing? No way.

Michigan

Pattern, problem: The classic stripes logo that really says University of Michigan, but actually has nothing to do with the university, the state of Michigan or the Wolverines nickname.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably use the M logo, although it would look a lot like Missouri.

Worth changing? Absolutely not!

Penn State

Pattern, problem: No logo -- just a white helmet with a blue stripe.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Put the classic Penn State logo on the white field.

Worth changing? Yes, but not until after Paterno quits coaching.

Nebraska

Pattern, problem: An extremely plain-looking N.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Upgrade the N.

Worth changing? Probably not.

Southern Cal

Pattern, problem: The Trojan logo is a little small and too busy.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Upgrade the logo. They did that once, but the problem was it looked too much like the logo of a famous condom company.

Worth changing? I don't think so. Just make the logo a little bigger.

Oregon

Just kidding, just kidding.

Alabama

Pattern, problem: Numbers instead of a logo.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Using the cursive A logo or the elephant logo.

Worth changing? Probably. It sure would look better.

Army

Pattern, problem: No logo. Just a black stripe.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Put the Army Black Knight logo on.

Worth changing? I'm kind of in the middle on this. I think the logo would make it look better, but I also think of the Mr. Inside-Mr. Outside look. Granted, that was the 1940s, but Army has stuck with it, and I'm not that terribly against tradition.

Notre Dame

Pattern, problem: No logo.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Use the interlocking ND logo or the Fighting Irish leprechaun logo.

Worth changing? No way.

Now, there are a number of other helmets -- LSU, Florida, Boston College, for example -- that aren't listed here, but I don't consider their looks classics. The others, listed here, have years and years and years behind them.

[BBM]

I pretty much agree with everything you said, except I would keep Alabama the way they are. I enjoy numbers on the helmets, and you don't see that anywhere anymore.

[Jezus_Ghoti]

Interesting analysis, but I would probably cast my vote for not changing any of them. Tradition trumps aesthetics in 90% of cases, in my mind.

[FiddySicks]

After watching the BC Navy game today I have decided that there are definately too many colleges with logoless, or completely plain helmets. Id love to see Boston College slap the modern looking BC logo on the side of their helmet, and see Navy at least add stripes.

[Discrim]

heh, the only one I'd change in anything resembling a heartbeat is Army, and that's considering I do like their helmet. then again, if you ask me they could probably do well to incorporate a gray jersey. I know what you'd be thinking, but it'd look great, no lie.

since this about helmets, though, I'd suggest either use the A by itself, the knight-A, or (and I've had a similar idea in my head for Rutgers) switch to a black helmet and paint on a knight visor...it'd be the coolest helmet since the Barnstormers.

[Hat Boy]

Penn State

Worth changing? Yes, but not until after Paterno quits coaching.

Army

Worth changing? I'm kind of in the middle on this.

Notre Dame

Worth changing? No way.

I am curious as to why Penn State needs a logo, Army maybe needs a logo and Notre Dame gets a "No way"? Penn State and Army's helemts are the same design (blank shell w/ a stripe). ND is just a blank helmet. It can't get any more plain than that.

[Michigan Dave]

Michigan

Pattern, problem: The classic stripes logo that really says University of Michigan, but actually has nothing to do with the university, the state of Michigan or the Wolverines nickname.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably use the M logo, although it would look a lot like Missouri.

Worth changing? Absolutely not!

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

[FiddySicks]

Michigan

Pattern, problem: The classic stripes logo that really says University of Michigan, but actually has nothing to do with the university, the state of Michigan or the Wolverines nickname.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably use the M logo, although it would look a lot like Missouri.

Worth changing? Absolutely not!

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

In that case, why use a nickname at all? I mean, is a nickname really that necessary?

[AndrewG70]

Notre Dame

Pattern, problem: No logo.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Use the interlocking ND logo or the Fighting Irish leprechaun logo.

Worth changing? No way.

Several years ago, I heard Lou Holtz actually wanted to put the ND logo on Notre Dame's helmets. University officials informed him that the plain gold helmet is supposed to symbolize the gold dome emblematic of the university, and there is no ND on the gold dome. Hence the lack of the ND logo on the helmets.

[BlueSky]

Michigan

Pattern, problem: The classic stripes logo that really says University of Michigan, but actually has nothing to do with the university, the state of Michigan or the Wolverines nickname.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably use the M logo, although it would look a lot like Missouri.

Worth changing? Absolutely not!

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

In that case, why use a nickname at all? I mean, is a nickname really that necessary?

Well, in OU's case, "Boomer Sooner" would sound pretty funny without the "Sooner" part.

[Michigan Dave]

Michigan

Pattern, problem: The classic stripes logo that really says University of Michigan, but actually has nothing to do with the university, the state of Michigan or the Wolverines nickname.

Solution if it wasn't a classic: Probably use the M logo, although it would look a lot like Missouri.

Worth changing? Absolutely not!

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

In that case, why use a nickname at all? I mean, is a nickname really that necessary?

Good question. I don't know. None of our teams have apparel with the "Wolverines" moniker on them (at least that I remember), and when I was with the football team, we never received anything with "Wolverines" on it. In 2002 Nike made a team issue tee with MICHIGAN WOLVERINES FOOTBALL on it, but that's all I can recall. The school uses no Wolverine specific cheers (save for the "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine" chant), and we're never referred to as Wolverines in the paper. It's quite odd. There isn't a Wolverine logo anymore either. The helmet logo is probably the most recognizable trademark, though, used not only for football:

[winghaz]

One of the reasons I said "Absolutely not!" to if it's worth changing for the Michigan helmets is because of all the other Michigan sports teams using that design.

Yes, it has become symbolic of the University of Michigan. But I maintain the design has nothing to do with the university, the state or the Wolverines name other than tradition. A good tradition, though.

[CFSize24]

Penn State

Worth changing? Yes, but not until after Paterno quits coaching.

Army

Worth changing? I'm kind of in the middle on this.

Notre Dame

Worth changing? No way.

I am curious as to why Penn State needs a logo, Army maybe needs a logo and Notre Dame gets a "No way"? Penn State and Army's helemts are the same design (blank shell w/ a stripe). ND is just a blank helmet. It can't get any more plain than that.

I think alot of people feel that way about Penn State because the Nittany Lion logo would look great on their helmet whereas most of the other schools mentioned don't have logos already designed that would look that good as a helmet logo.

[hormone]

I'm a modernist (except for crazy bib straps and piping) so here's my comments on some of those teams...

OSU - Red O outlined in white...remove white background from "pot" leaf pride stickers

ND - ND logo in blue outlined in white, navy mask

Bama - white mask, A logo

SC - Bigger trojan, colored mask

PSU - Add circular lion to both sides

Michigan - who cares because I don't even know what it is. If you wanna change it, go with a big block M.

[CFSize24]

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

MD, Do you know why Michigan dropped the reward decals (footballs, I think) they used to use on the back of thier helmets? Im guessing that was before you were there but I was curious to the reasoning.

Also will they be donning the Big Jonny specials for the Rose Bowl?

[huggermugger]

Isn't the Michigan helmet, the stripes on the back of a Wolverine?

[Discrim]

The helmet logo is probably the most recognizable trademark, though, used not only for football:

heh, like Duke Tango at the And 1 tour, OHHHH BABYYYY!!!

man, I quit, I've seen it all now. I quit

[Michigan Dave]

Well, the helmet design itself has become a logo of sorts for the university, and is probably our most recognizable trademark, so it has a LOT to do with the university. Furthermore, we really don't use the "Wolverines" nickname in any branding.

MD, Do you know why Michigan dropped the reward decals (footballs, I think) they used to use on the back of thier helmets? Im guessing that was before you were there but I was curious to the reasoning.

Also will they be donning the Big Jonny specials for the Rose Bowl?

The reward stickers were dropped when Lloyd took over- he just didn't like the cluttered look on the helmet.

As for the Rose Bowl, I know there will be a Ford/Bo sticker on the helmet, and I don't think they are going to have a "Big Jonny special" screened on the shoulders, the new unis don't appear to have room. Looks like they wore the game jerseys for media day:

Isn't the Michigan helmet, the stripes on the back of a Wolverine?

Nope. When Fritz Crisler came over from Princeton, he brought with him his innovation of painting the outer layer of the leather helmet to aid in recognizing receivers downfield. The "winged" design stuck, and has been synonymous with Michigan ever since.

[HedleyLamarr]

I pretty much agree with everything you said, except I would keep Alabama the way they are. I enjoy numbers on the helmets, and you don't see that anywhere anymore.

Georgia Southern definitely does this, and I believe Syracuse does this as well....

[Hail2theVctrz]

Man...I'm pretty upset about no "Big Jonny's." Assuming they would have worn them for media day. I really liked seeing those.