Semi-OT: Penn State to change uniforms
After wearing names on the back of their uniforms since the Sandusky scandal, Penn State will go back to their traditional, nameless look. The names were placed on the jerseys in 2012 to show recognition for the kids who stayed/committed despite the tainted past.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/07/16/penn-state-football-removing-jersey-names
This seems to be causing quite a bit of debate. Personally, while it was a small gesture, I thought the names were a good symbol of a new era for Penn State. I understand the tradition arguement, but I would think PSU would want to get away from anything that could cause anymore public debate especially after the 409 wins were restored.
Since there was only one apparel thread thus far today, I figured I'd add another one to see what the board thought.
Side note: PSU's president, Eric Barron, was one of the advocates of the uniform change. Barron was the former president of FSU who resigned and took the PSU job due to the increased adversity due to the Jameis Winston rape scandal. Funny how some of these people just circulate.
Maybe I'm nieve, but this seems to be a pretty simple story.
Bill O'Brien & the 2012 wanted names on the jerseys. James Franklin & the 2015 team would prefer no names.
If people want to read into this things like: "Penn State really showed their committment to forging a better future in August 2012 by putting nameplates on their jerseys, but now they are completely undoing their committment to that better future with this July 2015 reversal" ...... fair enough.
But sometimes the story is really pretty simple. It's a uniform change, not a symbol of widespread culture change (or culture reversal). IMHO.
Nothing is simple on the board....well, with the exception of my my posts
It wasn't just a simple uniform change in 2012. It was done to make a statement and was publicized as such by PSU. Changing back now is making a statement too, is it not? We can debate just what it's intended to say, but it's meant to say something.
To me, it's another step towards restoring the image and feel of the program under Paterno. Recapturing PSU's glory days, as it were. To a lot of people outside of PSU, the whole effort is unseemly and coming much too soon. In retropspect, it's unfortunate that PSU escaped the death penalty, because it seems that the culture there has barely changed.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/08/penn…
The most relevant paragraphs:
Penn State announced Tuesday that names will be added because first-year coach Bill O'Brien wants to recognize the players who stayed committed to the program in the wake of severe NCAA sanctions.
According to the release, O'Brien consulted with several members of the team and collectively made the decision. The school said there has been no decision made about keeping the names beyond this season.
It was never stated as symbolic as regards anything in Penn State's past. The uniform change was never stated as being permanent.
I don't know .... just seems like 2012 was something the the then-Head Coach and the then-team wanted to do. Now, a new Head Coach and new-team wants to do something else.
Can you tell us whether the money for charities is now being paid out? It was always distressing to me that this was tied up in law suits and none of the money committed for payment ever got paid. Thanks.
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It WAS silly that people argued about that in court for several years. A PA Senator arguing whether the $60MM should all stay in-state, and the NCAA argued the $60MM should be distributed nationwide.
The PA Senator finally "won" on that one.
you would have to convince me that having or not having names on the back of football jerseys was somehow part of the culture you speak of. If it came out right now that a member of the Michigan coaching staff committed terrible crimes under Bo would it work to correct the culture to have the wings taken off our helmets. What difference does it make? There is nothing that could be less related to what took place there.
Penn State's uniform looked terrible with names on the back. I personally think they look pretty terrible anyway but they look better like this.
Penn State leadership did, of course accept the Freeh Report and did sign the Consent Decree in July 2012.
They didn't have to do either. They could have said, "well, this report we paid $6.5MM for, we don't like what it says. So ignore that!" They could have fought the NCAA.
I don't know, but those steps by PSU leadership seem to me to be fairly tangible proof that PSU leadership folk were accepting responsibility and were trying to change.
If there were folk in August 2012 who were unconvinced by that and instead needed a UNIFORM change as tangible proof --- and conversely, if there are folk who think yesterday's uniform change is tangible proof of "going back to the old ways --- well, I guess I disagree with those folk. Small picture vs. larger picture.
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now THERE is a team that needs a uniform change. Lord knows they're historically bad wearing the blue and white.
I do actually like those soccer uniforms.
Now, if you were able to recall that quote from memory as opposed to pulling it off the IMDB quotes database, I'll be very impressed.
But I keep hoping they are going to adopt the alternate unis suggested by BHGP.
Or
From the description:
"We thought about bringing Penn State fully to the present day, but decided that the shock would be too great for the fans, and so we have brought the uniforms up to 1998 instead," said Polyblend. "The bright cyan colors, the singular nickname, and the fascination with all things internet-related were state of the art in that era. Think of the Charlotte Hornets, San Jose Sharks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, the Sandra Bullock movie The Net, etc. We are bringing the hopelessly nostalgic Penn State fan base as far into the future as we believe we can without causing cerebral hemorrhaging."
Happy the nameless bastages are getting back to what they are.
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Not only did I read this thread, I left a comment! Seriously, who gives a shit about whether PSU has names on their jerseys? And yet, here I am. I am such a damn college football junkie that I couldn't help myself.
Please Lord, let September 3 get here soon!