There's a new serif in town: Nebraska IS throwing it back
10 comments so far
June 30, 2009 by
Two significant dates in Nebraska football fashion history:
September 18, 2008: I ask the question, "Will Nebraska ever throw it back?" I even proclaimed the funky serif style numbers of the early Devaney era my favorite jersey in the school's history.
June 29, 2009: Nebraska announces that they will, in fact, be wearing 1962 throwbacks to celebrate the 300th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium.
Coincidence?
Yes. I can't take any credit when, in the piece last year, I was looking for any crazy anniversary out there that would necessitate a throwback game while totally missing the low-hanging fruit of the 300th sellout. What can I say? When you're in uni-love you're irrational, but now we have confirmed what Jeff at DXP mocked up over the weekend and all is right with the world.
For the first time since the all-white pits to knees stripe experiment of Pederson's first season as AD, Nebraska fans will see the Huskers in something new. But that's okay because it's something old. There are two camps when it comes to uniform changes at Nebraska: a) Those that think the uniforms are full of tradition and should be left alone, and b) Those that crave something new. As a uniform geek I considered myself a member of both camps. You can have at me in the comments for this, but I LIKE the new Oregon uniforms and I liked the old Oregon uniforms not because they were aesthetically pleasing but because every Saturday was a fun shell game of what will they came out of the tunnel in next?
Wearing throwbacks seems like a way to bridge that gap at tradition-rich Nebraska. It's been seven years since Husker fans have had the chance to purchase a new Nebraska jersey, but that time is now upon us. If a replica isn't good enough, they're auctioning off the game worn sets starting at $500 a pop after the game. And, to take things full circle, the game will feature tickets and programs designed to look like those from the early-60's.
No word yet on whether or not the players will feature period appropriate, Frank Solich style hair.
Photo: unl.edu/scarlet
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HuskerFaithful1 Jun 30 09
I wonder if it will be 1962 ticket prices? No? Hey that's just not fair. I thought they were going all out. :)
HuskerWooWoo Jun 30 09
The Oregon jerseys are hideous. Maybe I am biased because I have a friend who is a huge Ducks fan and I have to hate the team because of that but come on. The diamond grating they had going on was bad enough but now they have come up with something even worse. They are putting feathers on their shoulders. If the Huskers ever have corn cobs on their shoulders I might have to take a look deep within myself to see how stable my fandom is on whether I can survive something like that.
Brandon Jun 30 09
HuskerWooWoo,
Wings aside--which I prefer over the diamond plating too--I think this is a major uniform upgrade for Oregon. The Ducks are essentially their own category when it comes to uniform design and I can appreciate their "efforts" in that context. I definitely classify them as so outrageous its entertaining.
darren Jun 30 09
These throwback jerseys feel like the exact right way to commemorate the 300th sellout. Big props to NU for doing this right.
Personally, I favor the circa 1970s NU uniforms with the stripes on the shoulders. But, hey, I'm not complaining about the 1962 choice. A throwback uni is always better when there is a historicly significant reason to wear it.
Musing: Ironic that those O Duck uniforms will someday be considered "retro" or throwback, considering their ultra-modern style now.
Joel Schmidt Jun 30 09
Can't wait to start scrounging for tickets to this one or getting to a bar that has the game on. Sweet!
But in regards to regular uniform switching, I prefer to know that my team is going to look like my team game in and game out...also probably points fewer fingers in the direction of the players and how they look. With that link to the Oregon jerseys, I'll quote a poster schmed:
"I seem to recall the reason for the uniform was to play football, and the reason for playing football was to make the scoreboard look good by having more points than the other guys."
Brandon Jun 30 09
Joel,
There's something to be said about continuity. Way back in the Internet ether of 2005, I wrote one of my first blogs about, what I termed, the "Helmet Corollary". In retrospect, it's not a particularly good piece and woefully dated, but the gist of it was this: the teams that are always changing typically aren't winning.
Honestly, Nebraska's one-off tribute will be enough to satiate my "something new" desires for a few decades.
caveman99 Jun 30 09
darren,
You said exactly what I was thinking. This is a GREAT idea by the University. I am in HuskerWooWoo's camp about Oregon's uniforms, I really think uniforms are a part of a tradition that if you are a great program you don't need gimmics as you ARE an ICON for what you are. But in the 300th sell out, I really dig this. It isn't gimmicky in my opinion and I think it adds the right touch of sentimentalism to the affair.
James Moore Jun 30 09
Now we just need to put Coach Solich at Fullback, go fullhouse backfield & option away to make it complete!!!
Great idea and a wonderful way for the program to thank the classiest fans in America while also promoting the achievement of reaching the remarkable milestone of 300 straight sellouts. . .
cvldfg Jun 30 09
Is this going to be all year? If not, which game?
Bill in Iowa Jun 30 09
Darren, I have to agree with you. I am all about the circa 1970 uniforms like this:
http://api.ning.com/files/v1*ylirMxVROhGEwiWUYfieCNdD*nW00mUCCs2fTKSmzAFM*nAUKz7drQujRLckrIgwn8BoONJat0A5a0m6*yTFNx1DiudDq/pitshusker.jpg