Names on Jerseys

**ArathornClone** · 06-12-2007, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

If that's the case, I really don't like it.

I understand the coach's need to emphasize team over player, but from a fan standpoint this really sucks. It's not always easy to figure out who's who by jersey numbers alone. It's nice to have the name on the back of the jersey.

I generally go with the number itself, their placement on the field, physical stature, etc. to figure out who the player is. This works in most cases except special teams. I can't recall ever really looking at the name on the back of a jersey during the game. Maybe you have closer seats than I do.

For those rare times where I don't recognize a player's number I just look it up in the program.

Let's try these for example from last year's team:

#1 WR
#7 QB
#5 WR
#52 DL
#15 LB
#11 DB
#6 RB
#27 RB
#41 TE
#75 OL
#31 FB

How many of those did you know without me naming names?

And for #'s that are shared do you ever get confused if #7 is Bret Meyer or Drenard Williams? Or that #17 was Tyrone McKenzie or Joel Zitek? etc.

So, I'm not buying the argument that it isn't easy to tell who the player is. Having said that I think the no names on jersey's is a gimmick and don't buy the whole "team unity" thing. But, maybe it is psychological for the players themselves.

**St8Grad** · 06-12-2007, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by mankatocyclone

I was at the tour stop in Mason City yesterday and I asked a player about the name plates and he said that Chizik has removed them from the jerseys.

This is a brilliant way to increase program sales! I'm sure gonna need one...

**trueclone2** · 06-12-2007, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

but no names on back makes us look like a DivII school that cant afford new Unis every year... the highschool students like to Rep their names when they come to a school. and we have a few double numbers.. since derron montgomery is going to be back.. what happens when chiz mixes up Mongomery and James Smith? hmm

So Penn State is DivII? Someone tell Jo Pa that his unis look like a DivII school.

**ornryactor** · 06-12-2007, 11:58 PM

Remember, most people on here are at least well on their way to being hardcore sports fans, at least in one specific area or another. I love me my Cyclones something fierce, but that doesn't change the fact that I am absolutely awful at trying to figure out who's who and keeping everyone straight. I need names on the jerseys. You know who I know from memory? Bret Meyer, #7. That's it. I only know that one because I have a replica jersey my friend gave me.

**Dormeezy** · 06-13-2007, 12:34 AM

I don't like the no-name's idea, I hope that's not what they end up doing.

**BvK1126** · 06-13-2007, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by trueclone2

So Penn State is DivII? Someone tell Jo Pa that his unis look like a DivII school.

Penn State's uniforms DO look like a Division II school's uniforms. They're the most bland, boring, generic looking uniforms I've ever seen at the D-I level. Obviously, their football team is pretty darn good, so their uni's have developed a certain cachet that always accompanies winning. But that doesn't change the fact that their uniforms are horrid. We don't need to copy Penn State. Keep the names on the back.

**Erik4Cy** · 06-13-2007, 02:04 AM

yeah i agree in the whole team concept and the name on the front definitely IS more important than the name on the back, but I am a fan of names being on there...its easier to identify the players and if this is about any financial reason (which i really doubt) than they could just auction those babies off at the end of the year. you know some guys' jerseys would sell for big bucks.

**Cloned4Life** · 06-13-2007, 07:23 AM

A team can get by without having names on their jerseys if their uniforms in general look awesome.

Our uni's, however, blow (quality wise), and look cheesier than some high school uni's.

If you noticed the last couple of seasons, many walkons didn't have their name on their jerseys... it looked REALLY bad. Now the whole team? Yikes...

O well, only one more year till new uni's!

**dmclone** · 06-13-2007, 07:54 AM

Just my 2 cents here.

This whole "name on the jersey is all about the team instead of just one player" was a good idea when the first 10 teams did it about 30 years ago. Now I think it just your typical coach speak. I think there are a lot better ways to preach the team concept better than removing names off of the uniforms.

I played high school football and I can't imagine that this would make me play more as a team player but maybe the college experience is different. I think it looks good for the newspapers but does little for the players.

At the start of the year it makes like a lot easier for the fans to know who is playing without looking through the guide the whole game.

**dmclone** · 06-13-2007, 07:59 AM

BTW-Florida (National Champion) puts the name on the back of the jersey.

So does Texas.

**ColoradoClone** · 06-13-2007, 08:00 AM

Can you guys really read the names on the back of the Jersey's from the stands? I'm telling ya, down in section 20 I sure as hell can't. I'm surprised some of the people in the balcony have that good of eyes.

I couldn't even make out Vanstrom's name, and he was the closest to the crowd wearing a super clean jersey, waiving a towel like a cheerleader. How could you read the name of the O-Lineman that was flat on his back in the middle of the field?

I understand the arguments that it doesn't do anything for unity, or may look divII, but the only time i've been able to read the names is on TV... and if you go to the games in person you'll need to learn the numbers anyway so it doesn't matter.

**StLouisClone** · 06-13-2007, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by ColoradoClone

Can you guys really read the names on the back of the Jersey's from the stands? I'm telling ya, down in section 20 I sure as hell can't. I'm surprised some of the people in the balcony have that good of eyes.

I understand the arguments that it doesn't do anything for unity, or may look divII, but the only time i've been able to read the names is on TV... and if you go to the games in person you'll need to learn the numbers anyway so it doesn't matter.

I agree with you about not being able to see the names from the stands. I'm more concerned about not having the names from a TV standpoint. During our good years, ISU has had as many as 7 or 8 games on TV. With no names on the jerseys, I guess we're going to have to rely on the announcers to get the players' names right. Good thing Fred White only announces basketball games.

**cyclonenum1** · 06-13-2007, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

but no names on back makes us look like a DivII school that cant afford new Unis every year...hmm

Yeah, just like USC and Notre Dame!

**joepublic** · 06-13-2007, 10:16 AM

I'd rather Gene did something meaningful, like order his team to clean the swill and vomit from the student section after each game.

**ISUclones33** · 06-13-2007, 04:04 PM

we are not Penn State, USC, or Notre Dame. also if we plan on no names, they better switch to twill numbers and raise them a bit because there is too much space between the numbers and the neck. Also someone last year asked me why Bret Meyer was returning kicks, I ofcourse laughed. but proves the names can be difficult for some people to see, It ALSO proves that some people cant identify players at a glance. I think its a players pride to have their name on the back of their Jersey. Havent you ever seen that peyton manning commercial where he is talking about how he never expected it? he said you start off in highschool, no name on the back of that jersey and before i know it im at college name on the back of my jersey full of pride and then the NFL number on helmet, replica jerseys everywhere...
Players want that recognition. Its selfish but it is the truth