akzipper

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.

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.