What a retro thread!
The shirt is far from perfect, or even great this year. But I find it interesting. Any time they have a lighter or brighter blue than navy, the boos come in the strongest crescendo.
Seriously. Was it '11 or '12 that the 'Madonna blue' shirts with the gothic lettering came out? Booed off the board, and as I remember general sales lagged pretty badly that year.
I don't remember anywhere near the displeasure voiced for that almost gold abortion presented in '09! Rise and Strike wasn't it.
This year I like the long sleeve option. I don't mind the blue. The plain ND logo on the front is okay. The only real problem I have is with the logo on the back. I have to decide I may be too embarrassed to wear a shirt that actually says 'Rise Above Ourselves!'
I mean if that isn't worthy of an SEC school, I don't know what is. It sure doesn't belie the sophistication and elegance that is imbued in the ND image!
'Rise Above Ourselves' == what a physical or figurative impossibility! Reminds me of one of those cartoon characters with the long rubbery legs that reaches it around to plant it on his own head. to gain leverage to climb up in thin air!
Rise Above It All = Okay. Rise Above Our Best = Pretty Damned good! But any time you use ourselves in a slogan, you risk being identified with a cartoon clown.
Just my opinion. I think the shirt would be pretty good with one word removed. Even just plane 'Rise Above' is good enough.