UNC's New Football Uniforms: True Blue and Black, Too?

The University of North Carolina's football team (the Tar Heels) recently unveiled their new look for the coming 2013 season.    I like them.  Columbia Blue (almost universally referred to as "Carolina Blue" everywhere other than the trademark infringement, lawyer averse sporting goods industry) isn't the easiest color to work with.  "Powder Blue" or "Sky" or "Light" or --heaven forbid-- "Baby Blue" doesn't help with the color's street cred either.  Particularly when that street is 100 yards long and designed for violent interaction between large men.  So Nike should be commended.

On the other hand, I remember a trend in the NFL awhile back (and the NBA) to add black to the color scheme of every team.  Even where it made no sense whatsoever.  I was living in LA at the time, which coincided with Al Davis' Oakland Raiders brief stay in that football phobic metropolis.   Even in my hometown of Philly, the Eagles have, most regrettably awkwardly infused the color black strategy.  Thankfully, those fashion-forward, but football forgettable uniforms are kept shuttered in for most of any season.   And a quick peek at the 3 uniforms below should be all the proof you need to understand why.  A splash of black on a jersey?  Awesome. Mostly black jersey?  Looks great at the mall.  On the football field?   I don't buy it.

Will the Pelicans Fly in New Orleans?

If there's almost no logic to the Utah Jazz (formerly New Orleans based NBA team, where the name --Jazz--made a ton of sense), there may be some rhyme or reason to the the proposed new name for the Hornets, the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The formerly the Charlotte, NC-based NBA team, where the name --Hornets--once more made sense and never has down on the Bayou. 

Don't even get me started on the ridiculous naturalistic anomoly of the LA Lakers, a city that, prior to the late 19th century was essentially a DESERT!

But it seems that the New Orleans Pelicans are set to fly into the NBA in the 2013-14 season.

 

It seems, at least to the team owner Tom Benson, that Pelicans will resonate much more with the local community.  Really?!?!   Or has Mardi Gras started early in the executive offices?

Thoughts on Hockey Unis

Here in Philly, we're all "Flyer'd UP!" about the return of the NHL.  Would be more so if we didn't "jump out" to an 0-2 start, but Hey, it's a long season.

Wait...It's not a long season?!?!

Anyhoo, the folks over at Bleacher Report took this opportunity to reflect on the state of unis in hockey.  Some takes on the subject had me in stitiches, so I thought I'd share their thoughts with, as we say in Flyer Nation, "Youz Guyz"

NHL Uniforms on the Chopping Block

Cleveland Browns Brouhaha

Browns Consider New Unis....Please not Black!

First Joe Banner made an oblique reference to the possibility of the Cleveland BROWNS getting new unis for next season.  Now the owner has chimed in too.

Oreo?  Really? 

Courageous U.S. Beach Volleyball Players Will Compete in Bikinis

Gotta check out this hysterical take on the "bikini story" out of London from Gawker:

Courageous U.S. Beach Volleyball Players Will Compete in Bikinis

Saudi Woman May Withdraw From Games Over Hijab Ban

Once more the hijab comes into play...or, more likely, takes an athlete or more specifically Islamic  women OUT of play: Saudi Judo Competitor May Bow Out Over Hijab Ban

NBA To Go All Nascar-Like

It was only a matter of time.  Some league, at some point, was just gonna say, "I give"  (or rather "I Take").  The NBA has announced that their teams' uniforms are for sale.  As in YOUR AD HERE.

I thought for sure it was gonna be the NHL that arrived at this point 1st, but now that the barn door's been opened, shoot, all the animals are gonna commence to commercing (if that's a word).

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1266148-nba-approves-advertising-on-jerseys-for-2013-14-season
 

Easing Up on Track Uniform Rules...Finally!

The National Federation of State High School Associations has -- decided to ease up on the sometime draconian enforcement of ridiculously minor uniform rules--particularly around state tournament time-- when it seemed as though every regulator grew especially persnickety. Here's the scoop:
Track-uniform-rules-eased-by-national-federation

Stop The Insanity!!!

There's been so much mock hulla-ba-loo about the U.S. Olympic team's Chinese made uniforms, you'd a thunk we was being disqualified for competition due to --I don't know, excessive crapola about a minor issue/reality.

NIKE TO SHOWCASE NEW NFL UNIFORMS

Nike, which has taken over for Reebok as the official uniform supplier to all 32 NFL teams, will unveil its new line Tuesday in New York.

Either way, Michael Vick, a Nike guy, likes what he's seen.

"The new NFL uniforms thru Nike are going to be crazy . . . Innovation at its finest!," he tweeted Monday night.

Some teams are expected to have tweaks to the logos and colors, but you likely won't see any wild apparel designs like those of the Oregon Ducks, who also have their uniforms supplied by Nike. According to the Associated Press, the Ducks have seven jerseys and six pants.

"Team logo [and] color changes have to be approved by the clubs and the league," NFL vice president of corporate communications Brian McCarthy told SI.com. "Aside from that, I really wouldn't want to get into what the unveiling would look like. It's Nike's unveiling, so I really wouldn't want to step on their toes."

Apparently, the biggest difference will be in the material. Many reports are predicting sleek, lightweight fabrics that fit better, and could conceivably enhance performance.

Adrian Peterson's Jersey Rant

The Soft Slap - Amy Hillenbrand

Amy Hillenbrand explains and demonstrates the Soft Slap batting technique.

North American Lacrosse League Announcement

Colgate Women's Games 2012

One of our customers, Delco Stallions Track Club competed in this event.

I wish I've had heard of this sooner, it looks like an excellent indoor track event that's very competitive and positive.

Ryan Howard Donates $1.2 Million To Philadelphia School District

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies star Ryan Howard is helping local students dress for success – in athletics.

The first baseman announced Thursday that his Ryan Howard Family Foundation will donate Adidas sportswear valued at nearly $1.2 million to the cash-strapped Philadelphia school district.

The gift will enable 57 city high schools to select athletic shoes and apparel to match the schools' colors. Four middle school athletic programs will receive shoes.

Acting Superintendent Leroy Nunery says the donation "will make a world of difference to our athletes." The school district had a budget gap of more than $629 million this year, forcing layoffs and cuts in many programs.

Howard's foundation is also providing turkeys, winter coats and school supplies to more than 500 struggling families in the Philadelphia area.

Source — Huffington Post

Did we win or Lose? Yokota Beats Kubasaki for Div 1 Championship

As you may or my not know, Team Sports Planet has a uniform and equipment contract with The Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific Schools. In the video above, we've out fitted both team with their awesome football uniforms and helmets!

Here's an excerpt from Stars and Stripes:
“They were phenomenal,” said Tim Pujol, who got his 108th win in 13 seasons as Panthers coach. “We had some design on using them extensively, obviously, and they came through big time. They’ve been on fire these last couple of games.”

You can read the full article here at Stars and Stripes

Xenith Rolls Out Concussion Detection Program

Xenith Rolls Out Concussion Detection Program
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 11/7/2011

Xenith LLC, the maker of football helmets, announced a partnership with PAR Inc., and its newly developed Concussion Recognition and Response (CRR) Mobile Application. As a result of this partnership, Xenith and PAR Inc. will work together to educate coaches, administrators, parents, and athletic trainers nationwide on signs, symptoms and recognition of concussions.

The application, developed by Gerard A. Gioia, PhD, and Jason Mihalik, PhD, is designed to assist in recognizing the signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion, allowing for a quick and appropriate response. The application takes less than 5 minutes to administer and is iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) and Android compatible.

"We are extremely excited to partner with Xenith to enhance safety for athlete populations," said CRR co-author Dr. Gerry Gioia. "We continue to be impressed with both Xenith's innovative technology and their company-wide mission to improve education and awareness. We look forward to working collectively to improve safety measures nationwide."

As a result of this partnership, Xenith and PAR Inc. will provide the CRR Application to the entire Snoop Youth Football League, making this the first ever league-wide adoption of CRR. The application will also be available on Xenith's newly developed Xenith Academy, an online educational risk reduction Curriculum available to athletes, coaches, parents and league administrators.

"Proper recognition and management of injuries are critical parts of a complete risk reduction strategy, and CRR technology assists in that process," said Xenith Founder and CEO Vin Ferrara. "Dr. Mihalik and Dr. Gioia are leaders in the field of concussion research, and I look forward to working with them on this initiative."

Xenith is the Official Safety Partner of The Snoop Youth Football League, founded by Hip-Hop superstar Snoop Dogg. "We are thrilled to implement the CRR system league-wide into the SYFL," said SYFL Commissioner Haamid Wadood. "We will ensure that every coach, parent, and League President has access to this new technology. We thank Xenith for its support as our Official Safety Partner."

Based in Lowell, MA, Xenith's helmets are designed to adapt to varying levels of impact energy and direction through the response of the patented technology, Xenith Adaptive Head Protection. Xenith's Fit Seeker Technology is designed to keep the helmet secure during impact. Xenith helmets have been worn by over 100,000 athletes at all levels of play.

Basketball Drills & Tips : How to Increase Vertical Leap for Basketball

Basketball Drills & Tips : How to Shoot a Basketball Better

NBA Lockout 2011: Players, Owners Fail To Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement

The NBA lockout is here to stay and it just doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. It's unfortunate for all of the true NBA fans around the world, left with no one to root for, while owners, players and others can't come to an agreement. Another unforeseen problem cause by the economy. So what other options do the disgruntled NBA fans have to assuage their hunger for the sport?

They could watch Minor League Basketball and the fact that the leagues are very regional helps too! The main drawback to this is finding a station that would air their games, public access, CN8, etc...?

Basketball fans could start showing more support their local High School Basketball team. The players are local stars and the tickets are cheaper than any NBA game I could imagine. $20 a seat? Maybe?

Or you could get off your butt and start your own basketball team instead of being an "Armchair Quarterback Point Guard." That way you can put in all of hard work and dedication you expect of your favorite basketball heroes with half of the critics and none of the salary! :)