Turf Updates

[chuckie1980]

Hey, Saxxy! The field looks like your garage floor for a change!!

I wished that the visible top half of Horton could be updated at the same time. Hire the Art department to create a big quick mural that's on the visible top. A FLY OVER type sign...or...??

 

[chuckie1980]

I would love the cartoonish REDBIRD RISING painted across the hood of Horton...A FLOCK of REDBIRDS flying...

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

You all didn't seriously think the field was white, did you? After EWU and BSU went kinda crazy with field colors, the NCAA mandated that all fields be of a "natural color" going forward, I believe. This excludes endzones and center field logos, of course, but expect the field to remain green, but expect the endzones (and possibly the yard line markers) to have the distinctive Illinois State font to them. I'd also expect the endzones to be red with White/Black lettering. I suspect it'll look really sharp.

It also looks like they saved the Reggie head. I do hope we get a new, more vibrant one. Personally, I'd like it to be about 2-3 times as large and go from the 40 to the 40 (Roughly 60 feet wide) , but thats just me. I'm sure these guys will do a great job.

 

[TIMMY]

That Reggie head would look good in my basement. I wonder if Larry would sell it to me.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

You all didn't seriously think the field was white, did you? After EWU and BSU went kinda crazy with field colors, the NCAA mandated that all fields be of a "natural color" going forward, I believe. This excludes endzones and center field logos, of course, but expect the field to remain green, but expect the endzones (and possibly the yard line markers) to have the distinctive Illinois State font to them. I'd also expect the endzones to be red with White/Black lettering. I suspect it'll look really sharp.

It also looks like they saved the Reggie head. I do hope we get a new, more vibrant one. Personally, I'd like it to be about 2-3 times as large and go from the 40 to the 40 (Roughly 60 feet wide) , but thats just me. I'm sure these guys will do a great job.

Is that true about the NCAA mandate? I never heard that before. So I guess the fields that were done in ridiculous colors are sort of grandfathered in? Do they have to go green when they replace the turf? Just curious since I have not heard that the NCAA addressed the color of the fields before.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

That Reggie head would look good in my basement. I wonder if Larry would sell it to me.

Years ago when the Bears tore up the turf at Soldier Field and put in the natural grass they passed out pieces of turf through a promotion deal with Shell Gas stations. I still have my piece of turf from Soldier Field, about 4" X 4". I would have considered purchasing a piece of turf from Hancock Stadium if they made it available but my guess is it is being recycled in some manner. Anyone know what is the ultimate disposition of the old turf? They left the Reggie head so I guess they have some plans for it.

 

[fourthandshort]

I'm guessing the Reggie Head was still on field when that field demolition pic was taken, only to ensure it didn't get thrown out with rest of turf. Betting they will preserve it and put it on display somewhere for people to see ... maybe in banquet hall somehow.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

After some research, it isn't "against" NCAA rules, but frowned upon. Further, Boise St has somehow copyrighted the use of an all blue field and a few college and high school teams have had to seek their approval to "go blue". EWU, as we know, has an all red field at The Inferno. Wouldnt stun me if they had a similar copyright.

Either way, I hope this is a green field. It can be a fun gimmick, but I feel the average fan would feel it would make Hancock look very "xfl" instead of NCAA.

I think a red field would look cheap.

 

[TIMMY]

How about making the visiting sideline pink?

 

[Redbird28]

I would just like to see the alternating bands of green (light/dark) with black end zones, holding the red lettering with the white accents like we see on the logo today. I think that would look sharp.

 

[Adunk33]

I would just like to see the alternating bands of green (light/dark) with black end zones, holding the red lettering with the white accents like we see on the logo today. I think that would look sharp.

Keep dreaming! :lol:

I think that would look awesome too but I foresee something simple. Same color green all the way down, Reggie still at the middle, The Valley logo added to the 40's, Red endzones with white lettering in the "Athletics". I anticipate the text to look similar to what the front of the MBB jerseys looked like this year with "Illinois State (like the front of the away jersey)" on one side and "Redbirds (like the front of the home jersey)" on the other. Both texts would have the black accents.Could have one endzone be white with red text, and the other red with white text

For some reason, it seems to me the athletic department doesn't want to embrace black as an alternate color for us. While we're on the topic....the football team could use an alt uniform for home games. I LOVE the all white road uniforms, they are SHARP, but introducing a gray or black alternate could be beneficial in recruiting. As much as some may not want to admit it, "looking cool" is a part of the game. Why else do you think so many recruits flock to Oregon.

 

[fourthandshort]

I would be stunned (and appalled) if field was anything but green.

I'm betting no MVFC logo ... simply because it would infer no FBS move for 10 year life of turf. Weak argument, but I'm thinking they won't do it for this reason.

I'm really hoping for the red end zone .. but keep everything else simple.

If you want to know what players find cool ... it is cool looking finished helmets. Cool jerseys are nice to have too, but cool helmets really fire up more players. It is also appealing for fans to look at .. in person and on TV ... 80+ helmeted heads makes for nice visual. Spend money on helmets first, if you want to attract recruits and fans

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

I would be stunned (and appalled) if field was anything but green.

I'm betting no MVFC logo ... simply because it would infer no FBS move for 10 year life of turf. Weak argument, but I'm thinking they won't do it for this reason.

I'm really hoping for the red end zone .. but keep everything else simple.

If you want to know what players find cool ... it is cool looking finished helmets. Cool jerseys are nice to have too, but cool helmets really fire up more players. It is also appealing for fans to look at .. in person and on TV ... 80+ helmeted heads makes for nice visual. Spend money on helmets first, if you want to attract recruits and fans

On board with all of this EXCEPT the MVFC logo. You can simply replace that section if needed. ISU should look at being in the SEC of FCS as a point of pride and the department certainly does. If we needed to replace that section with a MAC logo in a few years, the money will be there.

You are SPOT ON about the helmets. I don't understand the White helmets with all red uniform. I'd like to see matching helmets for either or just red helmets with a black cage.

Like the alternate uniform concept, too. I would be more on board with gray than black, but either one is a W.

I honestly think the ISU Away jersies (all white with simple red lettering) are the best in college football- all levels. But that is just me being a homer and a minimalist. In high school, I always felt that the teams with no frills or fancy style 3 color lettering were the ones you didn't want to play because they probably spent the extra money on training facilities and coaches.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

This does not have anything to do with the Hancock turf (Unless they are planning a color other than green!) but it was a very interesting article about how Boise State tries to protect its stranglehold on blue fields and I guess in their opinion...every color but green!
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/sports/ncaafootball/boise-state-mounts-a-paper-defense-of-its-home-turf.html

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I would not mind the light and dark green alternating patches of the field. That could look kind of cool depending on how it is done. Black or Red end zones does not matter to me but something besides all green in the end zone, please!
The uniforms could use some updates. I personally like the white helmet with Reggie on the side but the team wore red helmets when I was in Normal. Expensive of course but some type of alternate red helmet would be nice, just stay away from the chrome type helmets. I think they look bad, really bad.
I like the all white away uniform's too. the home red threads could use something to give it a little more kick. I like the idea of wearing the white pants with the red jerseys now and then but that has not been the style in recent years. I like the black jerseys the Arizona Cardinals have worn in recent years. I think they look pretty nice. My bet is uniform changes will not happen though and I am okay with the current look too. I am way more interested in W's in the win column but understand that these things do matter in recruiting. Brian Kelly made a statement about the different Shamrock Series uniforms a couple years ago that the young players love them and it is a recruiting tool.

 

[DaveBird10]

For the turf count me in on that i think the alternating dark/light green would look really sharp. Red Zones with Illinois State in white and Redbirds in white on opposite ends with a bigger Reggie head and then the mvfc logo at the 30 would look really sharp with new stadium.

As for the uniforms, my thoughts are like a lot of others. I like the white on white but don't like the home red on red at all. Those need some white in them or something, its too red. I do remember coach Khenon Hall putting together a sketch of black uniforms on twitter when the men's bball team broke the grey/black uniforms out at Valpo and if i remember the players and everyone loved them. Hopefully that got them thinking bc i know they looksed sharp.

 

[Jon99]

I would be stunned (and appalled) if field was anything but green.

I'm betting no MVFC logo ... simply because it would infer no FBS move for 10 year life of turf. Weak argument, but I'm thinking they won't do it for this reason.

Giants and Jets both use MetLife and the field color scheme is different depending which team is playing.. same way with ATT in Dallas, when college teams use it the endzones are the school colors..

 

[fourthandshort]

why no updates and pictures in over a week ... are we waiting for materials ?

 

[HailISNU]

why no updates and pictures in over a week ... are we waiting for materials ?

new turf arrives Monday

 

[fourthandshort]

why no updates and pictures in over a week ... are we waiting for materials ?

new turf arrives Monday

thanks .. was hoping maybe they were still debating whether to flip the bird :doh: