Alternate Helmet

[Virginia Redbird]

Just curious about the interlocking ISU helmet. I like the helmet but I was just wondering why the helmet was worn at NDSU? I would just think they would do that at a home game as they did with the Red Reggie helmet against SIU. Not a matter of any importance but just curious as to why. I like both versions of the red helmet. I was more ambivalent about the all-black uniforms. In the end, I don't care what they wear if they play well.

Does anyone have information on if there is some plan for the alternate uniforms? Is there a plan to do a blackout night like Penn State does their whiteout every year? Are they planning on wearing the interlocking ISU for away games more often? Nothing of substance here in my post, just curious.

It was kind of a nice throwback moment. The team wore all-red helmets back when I was in Normal. That was the Gerry Hart era. Hart started out strong and went steadily downhill from there. The only name I recall from those days was a running back named Ron Bell. He was drafted by the Steelers but I don't think he did anything in the NFL. Most everything in those days was Doug Collins and the basketball team.

For anyone interested here is a link to the ISU helmet history. I would love to have a reproduction of the 1940 helmet! B&W photo but maybe a red and white leather helmet with the block "N" on the front for Normal. Pretty cool but I am a bit of a history buff. I like that kind of stuff.

Illinois State

2022 2022 Game 8 at North Dakota State

www.helmethistory.com

 

[TBS_20]

That isu logo is subpar at best

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

I personally love the red helmets, but would prefer have an all-white outline of Reggie on there. Still, HUGE upgrade over the white helmets that have always felt out of place to me.

 

[Bird Friend]

That isu logo is subpar at best

That isu logo is subpar at best

That's an interesting concern . . . considering that it's very consistent with the ISU logos that have been used since 1972 . . .

 

[TBS_20]

That's an interesting concern . . . considering that it's very consistent with the ISU logos that have been used since 1972 . . .

Longevity does make something good. Look at Grey's Anatomy or Chuck E Cheese. Not to mention crazzymark liked my post so I know I'm on the right path

 

[Virginia Redbird]

My guess is that the interlocking ISU was a salute to tradition and not an effort to find the latest graphic. As Bird Friend pointed out the logo has been used before over the years. If they were looking to dump the white helmets with the Reggie logo then an argument could better be made. Which anyone likes best is just opinion and taste.

 

[TIMMY]

I like the new helmets. Pretty cool. The initial investment was around $40,000. Going forward we're looking at $20,000 a year depending on attrition. If they went top-top of the line it's more. Worth it? Like I said I like them. Very spiffy. But helmets don't put butts in seats. Winning does. How far does an extra $20,000 a year go toward recruiting? I think it goes pretty far. Maybe far enough to get one kick-ass receiver? Or extra cash to up the salary for an experienced QB coach. I'll take the receiver. Or the coach.

 

[ISUBU]

Ahh, but what does a variety of helmets say to an 18 year old? Don't forget the colors, too. And then combos of jerseys and helmets.

Cool. Not stuck in the old way. Variety. Mixing it up. Big time. Like what the NFL does.

I don't think the fans are the primary audience they're trying to reach.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Ahh, but what does a variety of helmets say to an 18 year old? Don't forget the colors, too. And then combos of jerseys and helmets.

Cool. Not stuck in the old way. Variety. Mixing it up. Big time. Like what the NFL does.

I don't think the fans are the primary audience they're trying to reach.

It is a factor to consider. I recall reading comments by Brian Kelly when he was the Notre Dame coach about the Shamrock Series and the alternate uniforms they wore for the series every year. He made the comment that it was partially for a recruitment tool. The young kids like the Oregon thing with crazy colorful uniforms but obviously at a place like ND any talk about doing away with the Gold helmets is a total non-starter. This was kind of a middle-of-the-road solution.

For those that are not aware, there was a program to raise funds for helmets called The Helmet Project. I did not hear about it until a couple of weeks ago. For a $2500 donation, you would get the regulation red Reggie helmet. For a donation of $100+, you get your name entered in a raffle for a signed helmet. Whom it is signed by it did not say. Spack? The whole team? I don't know.

A nice promotion, $2500, for a cool helmet. Personally, if I told my wife I spent $2500 on a helmet...cool or not...I would need to be wearing said helmet! Anyway, I would have donated $100 and taken my chance on the raffle but they did not post when the raffle would take place. The raffle may have taken place already so I have not made that contribution.

This Helmet Program info was buried on the Goredbirds.com website and I stumbled across it by accident while searching for something else. Maybe it was posted on Twitter or Facebook pages but I did not find it. If they have not already done the raffle I may still make a donation and help defray the costs of the helmets so the money could be used for other concerns like Timmy pointed out.

Nice idea, nice promotion but not so nice communication.

If you have an extra $2500 just lying around burning a hole in your pocket, support Redbird football and drop a donation!

REDbird Helmet Project

REDbird Helmet Project

goredbirds.com

 

[Virginia Redbird]

One quick follow-up to my last post. If I was in the marketing department, I would offer a mini-helmet with a $100 or $150 donation. The mini-helmets are going for around $29.95 depending on the store and school. The real cost has to be cheaper. Make it a $200 donation and give me a red Reggie or Interlocking ISU mini-helmet and I am happy to get a trinket for my shelf alongside my white Reggie helmet and I financially support Redbird football. I would be more inclined to do that than take a chance on a raffle. BTW, you could still do the raffle for the signed helmet! Think big!

If anyone has connections in the marketing department feel free to steal my idea with no commission required.

Go Redbirds!

An example just copied the link right now: https://ilstu.spirit.bncollege.com/?query=helmets&_ref=p-HP:m-SEARCH

I have not seen this mini-helmet with the old running redbird logo. I just made the purchase for $25!

 

[TIMMY]

I get kids like the alternate uniforms. But when they're considering a program I think they like winning and a passing game more. The alternate thing is chump change for many schools. We have assistant coaches making less than 40K. That's move on money.

 

[Bird Friend]

I get kids like the alternate uniforms. But when they're considering a program I think they like winning and a passing game more. The alternate thing is chump change for many schools. We have assistant coaches making less than 40K. That's move on money.

 

[Redbird15]

I like the new helmets. Pretty cool. The initial investment was around $40,000. Going forward we're looking at $20,000 a year depending on attrition. If they went top-top of the line it's more. Worth it? Like I said I like them. Very spiffy. But helmets don't put butts in seats. Winning does. How far does an extra $20,000 a year go toward recruiting? I think it goes pretty far. Maybe far enough to get one kick-ass receiver? Or extra cash to up the salary for an experienced QB coach. I'll take the receiver. Or the coach.

20,000 is not going to get you a WR or any player. Maybe it give Redbird Recruiters/coach a little more money to travel to evaluate recruits. Even if they travel other issues to take in consideration when recruiting. Some schools will only recruit so many out of state or area recruits because of Scholarship cost. Some in state/area kids may not get same benefits as out of state due to cost. Winning draws attendance but at same time as a fan would you travel to see a unknown recruit on an average team from out of state or would you rather see a local kid whom you know. I would say the in state/local kids gets more fans to come so thats also a factor. Beside I think the WR core ISU has now is doing a great Job. How many schools FCS and FBS have WR having a 80 plus receiption season ? 2022 Football - Overall Statistics - Missouri Valley Football Conference

 

[fourthandshort]

I assume we needed new helmets sooner than later .. ISU does not spend money it does not need and want to. So I'm pretty sure they considered everything carefully. So whatever these cost vs a step down or a year later .... may have been what 5k more or so ??

So I don't care. They look nice and kids do in fact like nice helmets .. it markets our program when they look nice.

Nice job on the helmets ISU !!!!! They look great, so pat yourselves on the back.

p.s. i'm going to trust you didn't over spend on our football program for the first time ever.

 

[Birgs]

I proposed these a while ago.

 

[Phantom]

I proposed these a while ago.View attachment 1199

Those look pretty awesome. Kind of a modern version of the 80's Atlanta Falcons. By the same token, if we were to do black uniforms again, I think black helmets with a big logo similar to the above would look great...also like the early 90s Atlanta Falcons when they first brought out their black uniforms.

 

[Manchester Matt]

I proposed these a while ago.View attachment 1199

Very cool helmet.