What is the "uniform surprise"?

[Irish Houstonian]

I personally don't like changing the uniforms so much, but I like the message that changing uniforms says to ND recruits.

Nowadays, when a recruit from Texas or SEC-land hears about ND, they hear about higher academics, football tradition, a historically-preserved stadium, its religious-affiliation, etc. So in the back of their mind they're afraid they'll be playing football for a museum.

But changing of its uniform sends at least a small message to the world that ND football isn't preserved in formaldehyde, and playing there can be just as fun as other places.

 

[irishfanjho15]

And by the way, here's what we'll be wearing at every single home game this year:

OH GAWD. OH GAWD. THEY CHANGED THE PANTS!!!!!!! ARGHHHH. NOOOOOOOO!!!! THE LOGOS ARE TOOOO BIG, THEY SOLD OUT. I CANT BELIEVE THE COLOR, THEY MESSED WITH MY BELOVED PANTS.

 

[irishfanjho15]

It's for one damn game so please just get the f**k over it. Some of you act like you go to practice, and play in the games. These kids, and coaches are the ones putting in the work so if for one game they want to have fun then so be it. I played in college not for Notre Dame unfortunately, but I do know how much time, and effort goes into it. Something people on here need to realize is that the season can sometimes start to drag, or wear on the players/coaches especially with the season we have lined up. Therefore let them have this little change because it can be reenergizing in a tough season. I'm all for it even though I love our traditional uniforms. Change is always occuring, and sometimes it's for the better. I doubt if Notre Dame returns to glory people will be bitching about the uniforms.......

I did also and most people have no idea what it is like to show up at school one month before any one else. Work your *** off through a 6am morning film session, conditioning, then practice for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/get a two hour break, lift weights, hour break, practice again for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/one hour break, go watch film of practice, condition/stretch, lights out at 10pm. Rinse and repeat for three+ weeks. And that was just D3. I can only imagine what else they do at ND, not to mention all the media bullshit that have to go through.

Then you show up at the end of camp and you have blacked out jerseys (like we got my senior year after only having white away and maroon at home forever) and everyone is so pumped. Everyone is so excited. Things may just be a little brighter, a little less of a weight on your shoulders, a little less of the all encompassing grind camp can be. Contrary to what you guys who didn't play college ball may think, practice is not fun, August camp is not a vacation. It's pain, blood, and sweat. It will push you to your limits mentally, physically, and psychologically.

It may offend some people outside the program but guess what? You're not in the program, you are a fan, so wipe your tears and get over it. This is not for you.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Maybe next year, ND can wear baggy pants hanging below their jocks, that's popular.

Baggy pants out - Skinny jeans in

 

[BGIF]

Re: Baggy Pants

Re: Baggy Pants

Dude, that hasn't been popular since like 2000.

This

... No it's not. It hasn't been since The Wire was on TV.

Thank you all for taking the bait.

Baggy pants were a sartorial fad like parachute pants (Post WWII and MC Hammer), bell bottoms (60s, 70's, and now), cargo pants (Post WWII and now), dayglo bathing suits, crocks, hoodies (Champion sold them in the 30's. They come from monks during The Dark Age not from HipHop), camos, or even carrying cigarettes in rolled up tee shirt sleeves (but that one wasn't a marketing ploy). So let's change the style with the each year's fad so we can be different, too.

It never ceases to amaze that those that spout about walking to a different drummer, end up following the crowd, and do so in lockstep.

 

[BGIF]

Baggy pants out - Skinny jeans in

I'm relieved to know, I'm back in style.

 

[NYMIKE6]

I'm relieved to know, I'm back in style.

LOL....

 

[IrishBlood81]

Ill tell you, there is a lot of wasted energy in this thread that will cause zero change in anything.
I'm going to quote NDinLA, because I think his post states it all perfectly.

The recruits do notice, whether you want to admit it or not. They've already come out and said they love it.

The players love it, and they do matter. They took to twitter to rave about them. Manti Te'o, our leader, understated and about as great(/conservative) a human being as you're going to find, said he loves the unis ("Look good, feel good, play good"). To me, that's all that matters.

Personally, I don't like the helmets at all. But seeing the jerseys on the players, I like them much more than I did in those pictures they first showed. But even then, what I like means nothing. It's all about the players...and they like them and are hyped to play in them, then for me, that trumps everything.

And Wooly, I get that you don't like them, and write as many letters as your heart desires. Won't matter though. The admin will love the $$$ coming in, the coaches will love the players being extra hyped about them, and the players already love them...

 

[IrishBlood81]

I want to remind people that the culture of Notre Dame is what makes it special. We haven't done d!ck on the football field in 20+ years. The last thing we need to start doing is sacrificing our identity in order to gain short term love from 18 year old kids looking for schools with swag. I see this helmet change as just another step of turning the school into a second class football program. Schools like Maryland have to do childish crap like this in order to gain attention. We shouldn't have to lower ourselves to that.

What I don't understand, Wooly, is why you say we haven't done crap on the football field in over 20 years and yet, don't understand why ND is trying to change things up and start winning?
Have you heard the expression, "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity" ?
Well, of course, the uniform change-up will not cause them to win games. But, I'm 22 and I know how I see things.
When I compete, in dance battles or soccer games or football, how I feel, which is affected by how I dress and what I wear, affects how I perform. Performance is extremely mental, and physical things, such as appearance, affect us mentally.
Have you never purchased a new set of workout clothes and suddenly been motivated to go workout?
Its about self confidence, its about swagger. Kids have changed A LOT in these past years, and even our recruits, 'the right kind of guys', are still affected by todays social acceptance.
You don't think Kelly knew the kind of hell he would receive for this uniform? I think he is willing to bear this persecution for the better good, for the hope of better performance on the field. He sees our last 20 years and finally, is doing something about it.
Turf, Jumbo Tron, Uniforms, Recruiting.
If your okay with continuing what we have been doing for the past 20 years than cool, change nothing and nothing will change.
I, on the other hand, WANT TO WIN. PERIOD. Not at the price of recruiting thugs and being no different than UF or UM ..etc. but at the small prices of being updated to 2012? Heck yes!

 

[jason_h537]

Baggy pants out - Skinny jeans in

I'm relieved to know, I'm back in style.

That **** is going out of trend too. Am i the only one around here who is under 30?

 

[BurningRiver]

OH GAWD. OH GAWD. THEY CHANGED THE PANTS!!!!!!! ARGHHHH. NOOOOOOOO!!!! THE LOGOS ARE TOOOO BIG, THEY SOLD OUT. I CANT BELIEVE THE COLOR, THEY MESSED WITH MY BELOVED PANTS.

Those pants look infinitely better. Well done, Adidas-- .500 this week isn't bad.

 

[IrishBlood81]

That **** is going out of trend too. Am i the only one around here who is under 30?

Na I am too...I'm just not into that trendy crap.

 

[50milesSE ND]

I did also and most people have no idea what it is like to show up at school one month before any one else. Work your *** off through a 6am morning film session, conditioning, then practice for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/get a two hour break, lift weights, hour break, practice again for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/one hour break, go watch film of practice, condition/stretch, lights out at 10pm. Rinse and repeat for three+ weeks. And that was just D3. I can only imagine what else they do at ND, not to mention all the media bullshit that have to go through.

Then you show up at the end of camp and you have blacked out jerseys (like we got my senior year after only having white away and maroon at home forever) and everyone is so pumped. Everyone is so excited. Things may just be a little brighter, a little less of a weight on your shoulders, a little less of the all encompassing grind camp can be. Contrary to what you guys who didn't play college ball may think, practice is not fun, August camp is not a vacation. It's pain, blood, and sweat. It will push you to your limits mentally, physically, and psychologically.

It may offend some people outside the program but guess what? You're not in the program, you are a fan, so wipe your tears and get over it. This is not for you.

Thank you for understanding

 

[irishfanjho15]

That **** is going out of trend too. Am i the only one around here who is under 30?

I'm 27 if it matters, LOL

I don't wear pants that are real baggy nor would I ever subject my sack to skinny jeans. I'm a Levis 514 kind of guy.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Those pants look infinitely better. Well done, Adidas-- .500 this week isn't bad.

I agree, was just making a funny.

 

[jason_h537]

I'm 27 if it matters, LOL

I don't wear pants that are real baggy nor would I ever subject my sack to skinny jeans. I'm a Levis 514 kind of guy.

That's the only jeans i wear. Reps!!!!!

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I only wear jean shorts.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I only wear jean shorts.

 

[deblaz6497]

The shamrock uniforms

The shamrock uniforms

I love the fact that once a year we get to wear something different. It gives our program some life and youth. Why r we so scared of change. I mean it is only one game what is the big deal. I understand tradition and legend that is notre dame but the university is made up of the student body not the fans that root for them so the university's aim should be providing their students with the best possible experience which should take their interests in mind.

 

[dshans]

Dude, that hasn't been popular since like 2000.

Could you tell that to the guy in front of me in line at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago? His pants rode below his butt cheeks (his front pockets were at his knees) and he didn't have respect enough to wear a long, long tee-shirt. At least he had on boxers with an acceptable pattern rather than "tighty-whiteys."

I managed to get through the extreme bell bottom and poofy Beau Benken ... err, Brummel Carnaby Street shirt/blouse period with only one of each – purchased for me by my mother – what was she thinking? I still have the shirt from my high school days and pull it out for special occasions such as Halloween and costume parties. I jettisoned the (white) jeans as soon as I could since they had no back pockets for my wallet and comb.

I also rode out the wide lapel, double breasted trend in suits and sport coats. I did dabble in Jerry Garcia ties.

 

[dshans]

Wanna know the worst part? This will all come back up as the Miami game gets closer....Yay Red Stripe Hooray!

Are you saying that a Jamaican beer will make the "conversation" better or that will make it easier to blot it out???

 

[johnnykillz]

That's a revision of what I'd call: DShans booty.

 

[dshans]

That's a revision of what I'd call: DShans booty.

What can I say?

Other than that's not my brand of ciggies, I never turned up the hems of my cut-offs (never a fan of cuffs), I have a "negative" butt and have never carried enough weight to have a "muffin top" or beer belly.

Oh, and that's Sirdishands to you!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Could you tell that to the guy in front of me in line at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago? His pants rode below his butt cheeks (his front pockets were at his knees) and he didn't have respect enough to wear a long, long tee-shirt. At least he had on boxers with an acceptable pattern rather than "tighty-whiteys."

I managed to get through the extreme bell bottom and poofy Beau Benken ... err, Brummel Carnaby Street shirt/blouse period with only one of each – purchased for me by my mother – what was she thinking? I still have the shirt from my high school days and pull it out for special occasions such as Halloween and costume parties. I jettisoned the (white) jeans as soon as I could since they had no back pockets for my wallet and comb.

I also rode out the wide lapel, double breasted trend in suits and sport coats. I did dabble in Jerry Garcia ties.

dShans, a chara,

Rode is up, sunk is down. As in his pants sunk below . . . See?

Sure those weren't patches, like when we were kids? What would they say today?

Thank gawd! At least you avoided shear destruction!

So you had a pair of those too! Nothing more revealing short of an @ss-cam!

As far as the rest, see? You the man!

I would have to believe Johnny's picture of your *** being genuine.

Beir bua agus beannacht,

Grehar the Bogtrotter

 

[kmoose]

I did also and most people have no idea what it is like to show up at school one month before any one else. Work your *** off through a 6am morning film session, conditioning, then practice for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/get a two hour break, lift weights, hour break, practice again for 2+ hours in the humid Indiana summer, shower/eat/one hour break, go watch film of practice, condition/stretch, lights out at 10pm. Rinse and repeat for three+ weeks. And that was just D3. I can only imagine what else they do at ND, not to mention all the media bullshit that have to go through.

Then you show up at the end of camp and you have blacked out jerseys (like we got my senior year after only having white away and maroon at home forever) and everyone is so pumped. Everyone is so excited. Things may just be a little brighter, a little less of a weight on your shoulders, a little less of the all encompassing grind camp can be. Contrary to what you guys who didn't play college ball may think, practice is not fun, August camp is not a vacation. It's pain, blood, and sweat. It will push you to your limits mentally, physically, and psychologically.

It may offend some people outside the program but guess what? You're not in the program, you are a fan, so wipe your tears and get over it. This is not for you.

And when you are done patting yourself on the back, then go find a clue. You think college athletes are the only ones that go through rigorous physical and mental conditioning, and therefore are the only ones whose opinions matter? I spent 4 months at Ft. Knox going through a program that was easily the equivalent of any D-IA college football camp. The day I arrived, it was 88 degrees in the shade. The day I left, it was 8 degrees. And, as if that weren't enough, I ended up going through a similar experience, 3.5 years later, when I enlisted in the Navy. So I'm pretty sure I've earned the right to speak my piece. If you don''t think so, then kindly keep that to yourself.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

And when you are done patting yourself on the back, then go find a clue. You think college athletes are the only ones that go through rigorous physical and mental conditioning, and therefore are the only ones whose opinions matter? I spent 4 months at Ft. Knox going through a program that was easily the equivalent of any D-IA college football camp. The day I arrived, it was 88 degrees in the shade. The day I left, it was 8 degrees. And, as if that weren't enough, I ended up going through a similar experience, 3.5 years later, when I enlisted in the Navy. So I'm pretty sure I've earned the right to speak my piece. If you don''t think so, then kindly keep that to yourself.

What's with all of the hostility, bub?

 

[4irishnation]

What's with all of the hostility, bub?

He needs a pat on the back!!! LMAO

 

[Rocket89]

And when you are done patting yourself on the back, then go find a clue. You think college athletes are the only ones that go through rigorous physical and mental conditioning, and therefore are the only ones whose opinions matter? I spent 4 months at Ft. Knox going through a program that was easily the equivalent of any D-IA college football camp. The day I arrived, it was 88 degrees in the shade. The day I left, it was 8 degrees. And, as if that weren't enough, I ended up going through a similar experience, 3.5 years later, when I enlisted in the Navy. So I'm pretty sure I've earned the right to speak my piece. If you don''t think so, then kindly keep that to yourself.

You said you couldn't speak your piece?

And what does your comment have to do with alternate uniforms? I hate to keep harping on this, but not a single person has answered any of the questions I've posed over the last few pages of this thread.

If anyone can answer those questions, then the university and players might pay attention. If not, you can certainly offer your opinion, but it won't matter a single bit.

 

[NDinFL]

When Ara put stars on the helmet for much more than one game, did people complain that they didn't want players on the team who thought such swag was cool?

I don't care if the uniform or helmet is ugly. Notre Dame has worn many ugly things in the past. I want the people who are so against this one game uniform to start proving why this suddenly means Notre Dame has lost its way, ruined its brand, and sold its soul.

Back it up. I don't care if you don't like it or think it's ugly. I don't like the helmet either. Just someone step up and prove why this will have any legitimate negative repercussions.

And by the way, here's what we'll be wearing at every single home game this year:

Does anyone have a leg to stand on?

Just thought I would quote this to refresh all the whiney, NDNation people that are claiming this one game uni has "ruined tradition, is comical, blahblahblah"

Go ahead, answer

 

[Buster Bluth]

When I look at this picture I actually really like the uniform (for one game).