ESPN Big XII Football Roundup (with new logo)

[ISU_Alum_2000]

Latest ESPN Big XII Football Roundup is out:

ESPN - Big 12 roundup: Recruiting change springs into effect - College Football

There is a bit about our emphasis on developing a running game, and they used our new logo.

[isuarch80]

What's the stuff about Bass - I may have just missed it somewhere, so I apologize in advance if it's been discussed.

[bkurt58]

It's been discussed, but it's fine, I'll re-hash it for you. Basically, his grades weren't up to snuff, but I guess he's gotten/is getting everything in order and will be good to go come fall practice time.

[clone2011]

I like the quote about A&M switching to Adidas, regarding what the Nike rep said to the Aggies AD: "You're not as good as they (Texas) are and you're probably never going to be."

In the meantime, ISU has been elevated to Nike's "Elite" level, meaning better quality gear, more gear, more apparel, more customization options, etc. I believe there are 4 levels to Nike sponsorship, Elite is the 3rd, and only Oregon is only level 4. I've been told other Elite schools include Texas, FSU, USC, Oklahoma, etc.


Back to the topic, fair assessment of our running situation IMO.

[Cardinal&Gold11]

The assesment of the running game was pretty much on par. We have some backs who can get the job done, it's just a matter of which one will step up come fall ball. I also like Chizik's quote about our running game.

[weR138]

Refreshingly real quote by Gene. There is no spin with this coaching staff.

[Cyfan322]

I think we're set up nice in the running game the next few years with the trio this season and then A-rob and Bo after that.

[HandSanitizer]

What did ISU have to do to get into the Nike elite program? i am confused by this whole thing. Wouldn't Nike want every BCS School in the Elite program?

[HiltonMagic]

Originally Posted by weR138

Refreshingly real quote by Gene. There is no spin with this coaching staff.

no doubt about it.

[clone2011]

I had to learn all about Nike's sponsorship stuff for a high school project once, so this is shaky at best and most of what I remember:

Nike has 4 (I believe it's 4) sponsorship levels for teams/programs. Oregon is the only school on level 4 (no shock there) and "Elite" is level 3. It means better quality products, more options, more "donated" items, more apparel available, etc., etc. By donated items I mean this--Nike "gives" schools their uniforms, gloves, cleats, etc. free of charge. In turn they plaster their logo all over and reap the advertising benefits of it. Other Elite schools are Florida State, Southern California, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, etc., mostly "big-time" programs.

So why is ISU so high? Our merchandise sells. If ISU apparel from Nike is shipped to a Nike store in Timbuktu, the alumni in the area will by it. If apparel hit the shelves in downtown NYC, alumni will buy it. Some schools have strong sports but their alumni aren't that interested in buying apparel. They don't sell--Nike doesn't make anything.

It also helps that our ENTIRE athletic dept is Nike sponsored. There are some schools where the basketball team will be Adidas, the Football team Nike, and the baseball team Under Armour.

With Nike Elite, we get the best of the best in equipment. With it comes some more responsibility, like less leeway if a team is shown sporting non-Nike. If our Nike rep stood on our sideline for a game and a coach was wearing an Adidas cap or a player had an Under Armour sweatband, they could, theoretically, pull our sponsorship on the spot, levy a hefty fine against us, or greatly reduce their 'donations' for the next year. It's a finicky (sp?) business and they're paying schools big (HUGE) bucks to wear their products, they don't pay them to wear someone else's gear. Heck, even Va Tech as punished for their little incident at Ga Tech when they forgot the uniforms of 3 or 4 players and they wore Russell gear that GT gave them.

[HiltonMagic]

Originally Posted by clone2011

With Nike Elite, we get the best of the best in equipment. With it comes some more responsibility, like less leeway if a team is shown sporting non-Nike. If our Nike rep stood on our sideline for a game and a coach was wearing an Adidas cap or a player had an Under Armour sweatband, they could, theoretically, pull our sponsorship on the spot, levy a hefty fine against us, or greatly reduce their 'donations' for the next year. It's a finicky (sp?) business and they're paying schools big (HUGE) bucks to wear their products, they don't pay them to wear someone else's gear. Heck, even Va Tech as punished for their little incident at Ga Tech when they forgot the uniforms of 3 or 4 players and they wore Russell gear that GT gave them.

Even during practices and such, if someone wears something that's not Nike, they have to cover up the logo.

[dinger]

wow you quadrupled the size of this thread with your first paragraph. im sure our baseball team will have nike sponsors too, im ok with that. i would like mizzuno but nike is good

[clone2011]

Originally Posted by dinger

wow you quadrupled the size of this thread with your first paragraph. im sure our baseball team will have nike sponsors too, im ok with that. i would like mizzuno but nike is good

I think they're more lenient with sports that Nike isn't "known" for. I know our softball team wears Nike jerseys and maybe all-Nike cleats, but I know for a fact that our wrestling team is not "all Nike" in that some of the guys wear Asics shoes and what not.

[kingcy]

Originally Posted by clone2011

I think they're more lenient with sports that Nike isn't "known" for. I know our softball team wears Nike jerseys and maybe all-Nike cleats, but I know for a fact that our wrestling team is not "all Nike" in that some of the guys wear Asics shoes and what not.

Asics are the only real wrestling shoes. Nikes are good everywhere else but they do lack in the wrestling shoe dept.

[theshadow]

Cael has a separate deal with Asics and Cliff Keen (IIRC). Kind of like how Larry had his own deal with adidas.

Also, I think the tennis coach has a deal with Wilson, so that's what the tennis team uses.