akzipper

Well I think the problem was that the uniforms were designed by the football staff. Bigger schools have designers or pay manufacturers to design uniforms for them. UA doesn't have the money or people in place to do that type of work. In the end, the football minds used another school as inspiration.

If Bowden can get to a bowl game this season or next, UA better be ready to open it's checkbook big time. He will never get a National Championship or BCS chance at Akron. But money might be one factor that would keep him around.

This is why I have a problem with the uniforms. Funny thing is that a simple font swap could have made a HUGE difference.

Well I'm just making assumptions based on what we've seen and Zips football being cheap in the past. In 2009 the Zips got new navy jerseys, in 2010 white to match, and this past season white pants. Have to believe that the new gold helmets and black uniforms would be all they can afford. Honestly though I hate the use of generic fonts more than the use of black. It just doesn't look like the Zips. So yes, it's probably overreacting before we have all the facts. But what we've seen hasn't been very good...

The two teams that gain the most national exposure for UA don't wear the correct school colors. Basketball team has been silver/gray, black and blue. Football is now black and gold. It's important to have cohesiveness across all sports in order to build your brand.

Well according to them, Ohio State is the only real college in the state

I told everyone that the Zips would win more games than the Browns last season. It happened, and I expect the same in 2014.

Awesome! I see it as a win-win for both sides. The Browns can hold the popular event at an awesome stadium, and UA get's to show it off to thousands who may not have ever visited it otherwise. Hopefully this will encourage the Browns to hold training camp at UA in the future. I know they are entertaining the idea of moving it away from Berea and UA is easily the best option in NE Ohio. Unfortunately there just isn't enough room to hold it at Browns HQ anymore. No other college campus would be able to provide a brand new stadium and indoor practice field. Both with plenty of seating and parking for fans. Only downside is that the Browns will draw more fans than the Zips, regardless if it's a scrimmage or training camp.

If they really are used for only 1-2 games I can deal with it. Sometimes gold can end up looking pretty ugly if used as a jersey. So maybe black is the next best option. Just need to fit with our branding better and not look so generic. I'm holding out hope that we get to see new navy and white uniforms this year too.

Switch to navy and use Akron's font. Branding is important... I just don't understand the black jersey trend. Just because every team has a black jersey, doesn't mean we need one.

It seems that about 99% of college football coaches do this. Even the coaches at smaller schools (Boise, Louisville, etc) have since moved on. They all want to coach on the big stage and make big money. Jumping ship is the quickest and easiest way to make it happen.

As much as I'd like to believe you, I just don't see it happening. He's definitely not old enough to consider this his "last stop." Bowden is a competitive guy who wants to win. Even if he has 1-2 successful years at Akron there's only so far the program can go in such a small conference like the MAC. It's much easier for him to make the jump to a big school and make a mark. I love UA but doubt I'd feel very motivated to stay at a school that has a thousand people show up to games. Unlike Dambrot, he has no connection to or reason to stay at Akron.

I can't speak for him, but West Virginia's coach Dana Holgorsen is definitely on the hot seat. It's safe to say Bowden would probably be a good fit for them in 2015....

Wait...do people in Youngstown even have TVs?

Unfortunately whenever a facility is built, the public only views it as helping the primary tenant. Regardless of how the news is presented. They see the Q only benefitting the Cavs, Progressive Field benefitting the Indians, etc. Completely forgetting about other concerts and events throughout the year. Not to mention the economical impact it has on surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.

I'd rank all my Zips sports news this way: Big news - new uniform unveil - OOC home game against major opponent - stadium/arena upgrades Good news - new recruit - new transfer Not very exciting news - assistant coach/staff hire - OOC away opponent Awful news - moving down to FCS - black or silver uniforms

Don't think it will be uniform related. Since the helmets and some mockups have already been made public. I seem to think the news will be pretty underwhelming.... Maybe future OOC opponents?

There was also this. University Park Alliance's rough renderings of downtown showed an arena.

I've always liked UCF's CFE Arena as an example. Seats just over 9,000 and actually cost over $100 million to build. I too feel that the proposal will probably be knocked down. Doesn't make much sense for the city to throw all that money into an arena, just to see UA benefit without paying a dime. UA will probably get stuck financing it themselves, get cheap and build a small arena like BG.

Since we've only seen black jerseys mocked up, I have a feeling we'll still be seeing the navys and whites from last few years.

Definitely not liking the black and giant Roo logo on the side. Maybe I'm just being stubborn but I don't see a reason to stray away from blue and gold. Just because most schools have a black jersey doesn't mean we have to as well.

Have to think the Zips can't afford 2 different helmets for this season. If I had to guess they are still playing around with different ideas before they decide on a final. Which is probably why coach is tweeting out photos. To gauge fan reaction. I have a feeling we'll see a new home/alternate uniform and one new helmet which would be worn all season. I like the matte blue, but would pair it will the metallic gold facemask.

MGHelmets has a pretty cool database too. Although it doesn't seem as in depth as the Helmet Project

I wouldn't mind a black option, but to me they both looked like the same photo. I feel like Coach's photo was more than likely black. Mainly because there seemed to be a difference between the navy blue used in the logos and the color of the jerseys.

My main worry is that Bowden called it a uniform "option." Maybe I'm overthinking but it could mean that the chrome/gold helmets and Navy (or black) uniforms posted will just be used as an alternate. In addition to the uniforms of the past 4+ years. Both NIU and WMU's uniforms were alternate options and still worn with previous sets. Also we have yet to see any white uniforms. Probably just being paranoid but I want to see the JD/Ianello uniforms burned and never seen again.