akzipper

Did anyone else notice the little gold tank on the back collar? Nice touch! We should all reserve judgement until actual photos of the uniform surface. Right now all we have is a base design illustrated by either UA or Adidas, which has been photographed with a cellphone camera. The colors aren't going to look accurate.

The uniforms do look better than I expected. A few tweaks could really improve it. Bring back the "Akron" font and switch the shoulder logos to the A-Roo. It does seem odd they would switch to a different number font. We already have a unique font that spans all sports, now the football team looks out of place. Curious to see what the other color combinations would be. Hopefully blue, white, and gold pant options. Really liked the all-white look from last season.

Hopefully someone saved the photo... Linking to a facebook page isn't the best.

I'm not seeing the photo.

It's just a texture on all of the new Adidas jerseys. You can also see it in this photo. I actually like the gold facemask better than the blue. Hopefully they add the A-Roo logos on the jersey sleeves.

I agree with the blue. Matte blue with metallic gold Z and even a gold facemask. The metallic/chrome gold is sometimes overpowering on the field. They pick up a lot of colors from the sky, crowd, stadium, etc that make it tough to see logos.

Would be pretty cool if they had metallic gold numbers on the jerseys to match. Also I think if they had a second helmet option, navy blue with a gold Z would look awesome.

Well since the helmet is leaked, the Zips should probably just show us the rest now. Just sayin...

I'm hoping there's just an instagram filter on that photo making the Z look black. Just doesn't fit our color scheme.

So I'm guessing it looks more like Washington Matte used to be the big trend, now teams are moving more towards chrome. I mean it's fine. But not really unique anymore. Last season there were about 20 or so teams that used chrome/gold helmets at some point in the season. The main problem is teams use chrome logos too. In the sun they are almost impossible to see. Really hope there isn't any black...

Photo must have been taken down. But sounds like a helmet similar to Baylor, Washington, etc have been wearing...

Personally I think any team looking to move up to FBS should earn it. Maybe even give them a few trial seasons playing as an Independent. If they show they can be competitive then conferences will come calling. The Subdivision is already overcrowded. Adding schools like UMass, North Texas, UTSA, Charlotte, JMU, etc doesn't help anyone. Sure they all want to become the next Boise State or UCF but they don't have the facilites, coaching, or fanbase to make it happen. Hopefully the MAC isn't so desperate to add members they make this same mistake again.

I noticed the Under Armour logo too. But if you look there is another logo, DVSport Software. I believe they make software for football teams to break down game film and plays. Chances are the football team uses it and the company threw in some free gear for coach. If the Zips were switching to Under Armour we would have heard about a new apparel contract way before any of the teams got new gear. If anything I'd like to see the Zips switch to Nike across all sports. Easily the best manufacturer in NCAA.

I hope they aren't planning anything drastic as far as our branding. We are lucky enough to have a unique brand and logos that fit perfectly. If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.

The Zips championship game run ends this year. Worst Akron team I've seen in the last 10 years.

I'm predicting 7-5 as our best case scenario. Wins: Howard, Marshall, EMU, Miami, Buffalo, UMass, Can't Losses: Penn State, Pitt, Ohio, Ball State, BG

Black is completely overused in sports and doesn't fit with blue/gold. The basketball team tried and it looks pretty bad. Last football team to try it was FIU. Black helmet, black jersey, blue pants. Looks terrible.

Well this is long overdue. It may not seem like a big deal, but perception is everything. Everytime I see the current uniforms I can't help but think of the 1-11 seasons and the great Rob Ianello. The best way to predict what the new uniforms will look like is research current Adidas schools. Most teams have moved to techfit uniforms (Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, FIU, Louisville, Miss State, Cincy etc). They are extremely tight and usually pretty generic. Given that Akron is a smaller school I wouldn't expect an Oregon-type design. We just don't have the money for that. The Akron staff probably looked at an Adidas catalog, picked out a uniform template and told them what colors to make it. The helmet is the one exception, as I can see them doing a lot of cool stuff with it. Really though what is the point of keeping it a secret? The team has already seen them. Why not show the public and generate some buzz?

But he was the recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame!... ...a school that doesn't even need a recruiting coordinator

Typical Akron basketball. Would be nice to go a season, or even a few months without drama.

At this point I'm just tired of waiting. UA has to "strike while the iron is hot." Spend $60 million for a football team that won 3 games in 3 years, but a 20+ win basketball team can't get a decent place to play? I know plenty of people will complain about it being downtown. It isn't a big deal.

The JAR can be better. But it will never be bigger. Never have that big-time feel the Zips need to get to the next level. Unless they find a way to magically add an upper deck and 4k more seats. Most ideas people have would result in an even smaller arena.

Always felt that would be the best option. We already have very nice team meeting rooms and locker rooms located at the JAR. Unfortunately UA seems to be taking the lazy route and directing their efforts to renovating our glorified high school gymnasium. (Although most high school gyms are probably nicer) So keep putting lipstick on that pig UA.

Shooting 24% fg and 7% from 3pt land. I think someone blindfolded could shoot better than that. Lost to Toledo, Can't, and now down by almost 10 to a directional Michigan school. Embarrassing.

How many rivals/scout stars = beast mode?