November, 2006:

• In The Fray - "Nice Unis: Do Clothes Make a Team?"
  November 30, 2006
  Fashion is not a topic usually associated with sports, but teams with cool, or at least not embarrassing, uniforms tend toward more success. When we think of Penn State football, who can not think of the cleverly simple blue and white uniforms? Or Yankee pinstripes? The Dallas Cowboy star? The Silver and Black? The uniforms and logos are as much a part of the teams as the players who wear (wore) them. (Believe it or not there is an organization called the Society for Sports Uniform Research, a.k.a. SSUR, which has a good site with links to the history of logos and uniforms, including the blog Uni Watch: The Obsessive Study of Athletics Aesthetics.)
  
   
• FOX Sports - "Top 10 Worst Sports Uniforms"
  November 30, 2006
  Like it or not, we live in a superficial world. How you look and how you dress is taken as a representation of your self. And with so many eyes gazing and glaring, one should always want to look his or her best. That's not always the case, however — particularly in the sports industry. Before the puck is dropped, the coin is tossed or the first pitch is thrown, each team suits up in a uniform that will inevitably exude a certain impression. So, considering that sports franchises spend millions of dollars on their players, stadiums and marketing, shouldn't they shell out a couple of bucks to ensure that their athletes look as sharp and confident as possible?
   
• NHL to Unveil New Uniforms in January, 2007 (National Hockey League)
  November 30, 2006
  The NHL will have a new look next season. The league is set to unveil new uniforms at a news conference in mid-January. The streamlined uniforms, designed by Reebok, will be worn by players at the Jan. 24 all-star game in Dallas. All players will wear the new uniforms starting next season. They feature increased flexibility and are less bulky than what players have traditionally worn for years.
  
  
   
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans Unveil New Logo (Carolina League (baseball))
  November 30, 2006
  The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (A/Atlanta Braves) unveiled their new identity program at Coastal Federal Field Thursday. The new identity is part of a complete creative overhaul of the Pelicans franchise. “We are excited to usher in a new era in Pelicans Baseball with our new and dynamic look,” said President and Managing Partner of Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP Chuck Greenberg. “Our new logos and uniforms not only look great, but more importantly, symbolize the first of many dramatic improvements we will be making this off-season to improve all facets of the fan experience at Coastal Federal Field. We can’t wait to make the announcements that are just around the corner.”
   
• Katy Ruff Riders Unveil Logo (Intense Football League)
  November 29, 2006
  The Katy Ruff Riders and Amegy Bank team up for a ticket giveaway. The Katy Ruff Riders Indoor Professional Football Team will unveil its new logo at Amegy Bank (Cinco Ranch) located at 3020 S. Mason Road on Monday December 4th at 5:00 pm. The logo unveiling is open to the public. To kick-off the 2007 season, Amegy Bank will giveaway 40 pairs of tickets to the 2007 Katy Ruff Riders inaugural home game on Saturday, April 14, 2007. All home games will be played at the Leonard E. Merrell Center. All you have to do is visit www.KatyRuffRiders.com to register to win a pair of tickets. Each winner will be granted early access to the inaugural game and will be welcomed on the field during player warm-ups.
   
• Spokane Indians Unveil New Logo, Uniforms (Northwest League (baseball))
  November 29, 2006
  The Spokane Indians Baseball Club, in conjunction with the Spokane Tribe of Indians, today unveiled new team logos and uniforms. This is believed to be the first time that a professional sports team has worked in conjunction with a local tribe to create a team identity. “We are excited about our new look, but most of all we are proud of our strong partnership with the Spokane Tribe,” said Spokane Indians President Andrew Billig. “We wanted this new identity to show respect for the Spokane Tribe and honor the rich 104-year history of the team. I think we accomplished both of our goals.” The new primary logo has a nostalgic feel and features two eagle feathers, one of the most revered symbols in Spokane Tribal culture. An alternate logo was also unveiled with the words “Spokane Indians Baseball Club” written in Salish, the Spokane Indian Tribal language. The team’s new primary hat logo features an “S” with an eagle feather accent. The design of the “S” is similar to one used by the team on their hats in the 1960s and early 1970s.
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "The Evolution of Eye Black"
  November 27, 2006
  "C'mere," motioned the Pop Warner coach, a Zippo lighter in one hand and a cork in the other. He ignited the former, held it to the latter, and then rubbed the resulting blackened char on his 11-year-old player's cheekbones. Such was a young Uni Watch's first experience with eye black. The burnt-cork method was pretty common back in those days, but only the most hardcore of old-school players would go that route today. Nowadays you've got a choice between grease sticks and adhesive stickers, both of which supposedly provide anti-glare protection.
  
   
• AZCentral.com - "Mascot Marketing Pays Off Big Time"
  November 25, 2006
  On one fan's T-shirt: Sparky, the cute, mischievous Sun Devil that symbolizes Arizona State University. On another's cap: the Wildcat, snarling icon of the University of Arizona. When the UA and ASU football teams face off in Tucson today, the Sparky and Wildcat images will be everywhere, stoking school spirit and pride. But along with school names, colors and even fight songs, they also will provide a more tangible benefit: cold, hard cash. University images and names have become big business in the state, reaping hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in licensing fees for schools and more in sales for merchandisers.
   
• Laredo Lobos to Unveil Logo on November 28 (arenafootball2)
  November 24, 2006
  The Laredo Lobos will held a Press Conference to present the new Head Coach: Mark Stoute to the community. The press conference will take place at Spring Hill Suites at 2:00 PM this next Tuesday November 28, 2006. In addition, the Laredo Lobos will present the 2007 schedule to all media members. Laredo Lobos is proud to announce that the President of the League (af2): Jerry Kurz will flight from Chicago just to be part of this big announcement.
  
   
• Cleveland Browns to Wear Throwback Uniforms (National Football League)
  November 22, 2006
  On Sunday, past meets present, literally. The uniform the Browns will wear against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend may surprise younger fans, and could cause some older ones to reminisce. This Sunday, the team will wear the uniform worn during the first three years of Jim Brown's Hall of Fame career - from 1957-59. The helmet that Charlie Frye will wear this weekend looks the same as the one put on by Milt Plum. The same pants worn by defensive lineman Bob Gain will be put on by Orpheus Roye. The striped socks worn by Walt Michaels will be worn by Andra Davis. The change you'll notice first is that player numbers appear on both sides of the Browns helmet. In addition, a single white stripe will run down the middle of the helmet, with the brown stripe on both sides removed.
   
• Fort Wayne Fusion Unveils Nickname, Logo (arenafootball2)
  November 22, 2006
  The Fort Wayne Fusion was formally introduced to area fans and media on Tuesday at the franchise’s first news conference at Memorial Coliseum. The team will begin its first season in arenafootball2 on Saturday, March 31 when the Fusion host the defending American Conference Champion Green Bay Blizzard. Other announcements made on Tuesday included AFL legend Eddie Brown being named the team’s new head coach and the unveiling of the team’s logo.
  
   
• Workbench - "Fired North Texas Coach in a Black Mood" (NCAA)
  November 21, 2006
  My alma mater, the University of North Texas, (SSUR ed. note: it's my alma mater too) made national news this past week when a booster for its football program threatened to withhold a $1 million donation after the team fired Coach Darrell Dickey. In nine seasons, Dickey led the Mean Green to four straight Sun Belt Conference championships and the first bowl trip since 1959. He's one of the most accomplished coaches in the school's modest football history, but two losing seasons and criticism over recruitment led to his ouster. He's receiving a buyout in excess of $540,000 for the remaining years of his contract and agreed to coach through season's end. Two incidents that took place during Saturday's North Texas-Florida Atlantic game show how wildly things have spun out of control at UNT since the firing. According to parents of current players, right before Saturday's game Coach Dickey snuck new black uniforms onto the team without the school's permission. The rec-league quality jerseys, pictured here, didn't contain the names of players or the school and conference logos. They weren't cleared with Athletic Director Rick Villareal or announced to the press before the game and might violate agreements with the school's uniform supplier.
   
• U. of North Carolina-Pembroke Unveils New Men's Football Uniforms (NCAA)
  November 20, 2006
  With considerable fanfare, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke showcased its new football uniforms for the first time on Wednesday. “It's a classic,” said Mac Campbell, a 1968 graduate, former UNCP trustee and donor to the First and Ten Campaign for Football and Athletic Excellence. “I'm really excited about seeing them on the field in 2007.” “I think it's in keeping with university history and traditions,” said Buddy Bell, a 1958 graduate and former athlete. The uniform displays the Braves' logo prominently on the jersey sleeve, pants and helmet. “BRAVES” is emblazoned on the chest and “UNCP” is on the back of the jersey.
   
• Edmonton Oil Kings Unveil Nickname, Logo (Western Hockey League)
  November 18, 2006
  The Edmonton Oil Kings are back in the Western Hockey League. In a contest to name the recently acquired major junior hockey franchise, Oil Kings was the choice of more than 75 per cent of the entrants. "The history of the Oil Kings is one that many Edmontonians, and hockey fans everywhere, remember passionately," said Patrick LaForge, president of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and governor of the junior team, said Saturday.
  
  
   
• Real Salt Lake Announces Sponsorship Deal With XanGo (Major League Soccer)
  November 17, 2006
  Marking an unprecedented development for U.S. professional sports and Major League Soccer, XanGo, LLC and Real Salt Lake today unveiled their landmark jersey-front title sponsorship deal, the first of its kind in major-league U.S. professional team sports. Beginning with the 2007 MLS season, slated to kick off on April 7, 2007, the XanGo name will be emblazoned across the chest of Real Salt Lake’s adidas/MLS game jerseys, following the European pro soccer model.
  
   
• Salem Avalanche Unveil New Logos (Carolina League (baseball))
  November 17, 2006
  The Salem Avalanche, Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, has released the designs for their on-field caps for the 2007 season. Along with a color-change from brick red to scarlet red, the Avalanche has made a total transformation to their on-field and retail logos. "This is a great opportunity for Avalanche fans to be the first on their block to sport the new-look Avalanche logos," said John Katz, Avalanche VP / GM. "The subtle color change from brick red to scarlet will make our colors more bold and give our team a fresh look on the field in 2007." The new logos were created using a focus group of front office members, field personnel and merchandise managers in select Minor League markets around the US. The logos were designed by New Era Cap, and many elements were kept from the original "New Avalanche" logos designed in 2004 by Chris Henwood. Henwood's design elements from the 2006 HCA Virginia Carolina League / California League All-Star Game Logo are featured on the new Road Cap, and his Avalanche Kids Club design has been modified for a new-look Batting Practice Cap.
   
• Southern Illinois Miners Unveil Nickname, Logo (Frontier League (baseball))
  November 16, 2006
  A little more than three months after purchasing a professional Independent league team, the Southern Illinois Baseball Group has settled on a team name – the Southern Illinois Miners. The name and team logo, which have piqued the curiosity of many area residents since August, were unveiled at a press conference at 6 tonight at center court in the Illinois Centre mall. Marion is part of the Frontier League with a 96-game schedule, including 48 at home. Games are set to begin in late May and run through the first week of September. The three teams in closest proximity to Marion are the River City Rascals in O’Fallon, Mo., Gateway Grizzlies in Sauget and the Evansville Otters.
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "If the Suit Fits..."
  November 16, 2006
  Uni Watch is proud to live in America -- a country where we celebrate individuality, where virtue is rewarded, where our civic institutions aren't for sale. And, of course, where a man can command the respect of his peers by wearing a nice suit to work. Oops. Well, 0-for-4 isn't bad (just ask A-Rod). But it looks like that average will improve to .250 this Sunday, because the NFL has finally given 49ers coach Mike Nolan permission to wear a suit on the sideline.
  
   
• Fresno State U. Plays Game Without Helmet Decals (NCAA)
  November 16, 2006
  The weird part is, the Bulldogs looked better without the helmet decals. They didn't play better, but when the mailman brings improvement, you don't turn him away, no matter how small the package. On Saturday, if you were one of those who found something else to do, Fresno State played its first football game in 30 years without mascot decals on their helmets. You also missed the strangest drive of the season, when New Mexico State ran 18 plays before finally scoring on a quarterback sneak. By comparison, Fresno State ran only 22 plays in the entire first half against Boise State.
   
• Utah Jazz to Wear Black Shoes on Road (National Basketball Association)
  November 15, 2006
  How young are these Jazz? They don't even know how to be superstitious yet. Despite a 7-1 start, Utah players have voted - unanimously, though somewhat grudgingly in some cases - to make a uniform change Friday night in Seattle. From now on, the Jazz will wear black shoes and black socks with their dark road uniforms. "We were talking about it before the 7-1 start, so it's not" going to change the team's luck, insisted Jazz point guard Deron Williams, the ringleader in the switch away from white shoes. "Shoes don't matter. It's just a different color." For a team with a conservative, by-the-book reputation, it's a significant change, however. But the old-school coach is on board with the black shoes, which the team broke out for the first time at its Wednesday morning practice.
   
• Boise Hawks Unveil New Logo (Northwest League (baseball))
  November 15, 2006
  Idaho's renowned World Center for Birds of Prey houses a wide of variety of majestic winged creatures, including falcons, eagles, vultures and owls. On Wednesday, the center received a visit from a different sort of bird entirely: the Boise Hawks. In a press conference held at the renowned aviary, the Northwest League franchise unveiled its new look to an audience of team supporters and local media. In recent years, cutting-edge new logos and off-beat team names have caused the sales of Minor League team merchandise to skyrocket. While the Hawks are certainly not opposed to this phenomenon, the club was firm in its belief that the new logo should satisfy the local market first and foremost.
   
• Northeastern State U. (OK) Unveils Nickname - The RiverHawks (NCAA)
  November 14, 2006
  With the start of fall semester 2007, athletic teams at Northeastern State University will be known as the RiverHawks, University officials announced during a press conference Tuesday morning. The selection of a new mascot resulted from a seven-month process that solicited input from NSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff, along with community members in the region served by the institution’s three campuses. Among the six semi-finalists presented for public review in October, RiverHawks was favored by nearly one-third of those who voted for their top preference. With 4,204 votes cast online through the NSU website and during Homecoming activities last month, 1,345 preferred RiverHawks. In second place with 28 percent of the votes counted was the name War Eagles, with Wolves coming in a distant third at 17 percent. Other names on the ballot were Thunderhawks, Thunderbirds, and Riverwolves.
   
• Boise Hawks to Unveil New Logo on November 15 (Northwest League (baseball))
  November 14, 2006
  The Boise Hawks will have a new look for the 2007 baseball season, but will keep the same name. The team's classic red, white and navy blue "B'' logo has been replaced with burnt orange and dark red lettering with a hawk holding a baseball bat to form a "B." The Hawks, a Class A short-season affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will unveil their new look Wednesday during a press conference at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise.
  
  
   
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans to Unveil New Logo (Carolina League (baseball))
  November 13, 2006
  What’s behind that brick wall? Over the next couple of weeks the Myrtle Beach Pelicans will knock down portions of the wall to eventually reveal the exciting, highly anticipated, fresh new logo for the ballclub. With the “New Era” of Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball preparing for its first full season under the ownership group led by President and Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg and General Manager North Johnson, the new logo will be one of many thrilling upgrades and improvements to the franchise.
  
   
• Burlington Bees Unveil New Logo (Midwest League (baseball))
  November 13, 2006
  The Burlington Bees will have a new look for the 2007 season. In front of a gathering of over 160 season ticket holders, sponsors, and contributors to the "Drive it Home" fundraising campaign, the organization unveiled its new logo and identity to applause and cheers. While the team name will remain the "Bees," the new logo will change the look and identity of the team.
  
  
   
• Lakeland Flying Tigers Unveil New Nickname, Logo, Uniforms (Florida State League (baseball))
  November 12, 2006
  By hearkening back to a previous era, the Lakeland Flying Tigers have embarked upon on a new one. Since 1967, the Florida State League franchise had gone by the name of "Tigers," a simple reference to its parent club. On Saturday, the team unveiled their new name and new logo as part of a Veterans Day celebration at Tigertown USA, Detroit's Spring Training facility. The name "Flying Tigers" refers to Tigertown's roots as a World War II training site for American and British pilots. Between 1940 and 1945, the Lakeland School of Aeronautics graduated more 8,000 aspiring airmen, many of whom went on to complete dangerous missions in the skies of Europe and Asia.
   
• Lehigh Valley Baseball Unveils Nickname...The IronPigs (International League (baseball))
  November 12, 2006
  After 3,500 contest entries, 10,000 online votes, 10 focus groups and plenty of second-guessing, it came down to this: The Lehigh Valley IronPigs. That will be the name of the Lehigh Valley's Triple-A minor league baseball club when it begins playing in 2008 in the stadium under construction in east Allentown -- the first affiliated team to play in the Lehigh Valley in 46 years. The name, submitted by Ron Steele of Northampton, was disclosed in an advertisement in an earlier edition of The Morning Call today.
  
   
• Uni Watch by Paul Lukas - "The Normal World vs. NikeWorld"
  November 10, 2006
  With college hoops getting started this week, Uni Watch thinks it's time to admit that the terms "pro basketball" and "NCAA basketball" have become obsolete. Instead, let's take an instructive example from the gridiron. When it comes to football, the real distinction isn't pro vs. college. It's the normal world, where you can find most NFL teams, vs. NikeWorld, where more and more NCAA teams feature the same basic template, no matter how stupid it looks. (Of course, there's also Bizarro World, but that's another story.)
  
   
• Springfield Cardinals Unveil New Alternate Logo (Texas League (baseball))
  November 9, 2006
  The Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, unveiled a brand new logo earlier today, which will debut next season, their third year of Texas League action. The new logo is featured on a navy blue cap with a red bill, and displays “Sluggerbird”, an animated Cardinal swinging a bat through a white cursive “C”.
  
  
   
• Arizona Diamondbacks Unveil New Colors, Logos, Uniforms (MLB/National League)
  November 8, 2006
  The D-backs' new look was on full display Wednesday night as the club unveiled its new uniforms and colors at an event attended by local celebrities as well as team members. Players and celebrities walked a red carpet when they entered the event and shortly thereafter proceeded down a fashion show-like runway displaying the new uniforms. After consulting with fans and designers, the D-backs decided several months ago to ditch the purple, teal and copper look for a Sedona red, Sonoran sand and black motif. In addition, the team tweaked it's "D" logo, giving it a more modern look. The deep red color was called Sedona in honor of the famous red rocks in the mountain town of the same name to the north. The beige color is referred to as Sonoran sand in deference to the Sonoran desert.
   
• York Revolution Unveils Logos (Atlantic League (baseball))
  November 6, 2006
  The next milestone in the development of York’s new minor league baseball team was reached when the official Revolution logos were unveiled Monday morning during a press conference at the Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York. Following comments by Keystone Baseball President Jon Danos and Revolution General Manager Matt O’Brien, O’Brien introduced members of the York City Little League, who presented the new logo to invited guests and media. The children wore Revolution baseball caps and T-shirts.
  
   
• Lakeland Tigers to Unveil New Team Name (Florida State League (baseball))
  November 6, 2006
  The Lakeland Tigers will be hosting a press conference on Saturday, November 11 at 9:00 am at Joker Marchant Stadium to announce the new team name and logo. The Lakeland Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and 2007 will mark the 41st season as a Tigers affiliate, the second longest affiliation in all of Minor League Baseball. The 2007 season will also mark Lakeland's 55th season in the Florida State League (FSL). Lakeland is an original member of the FSL which was established in 1919.
  
   
• Arizona Diamondbacks to Unveil New Colors, Logos, Uniforms (MLB/National League)
  November 4, 2006
  Tick, tick, tick... The wait is almost over. On Wednesday night, the D-backs will unveil their new uniforms, which will include a change in colors from purple, teal and copper to Sedona red, Sonoran sand and black. And fans will get their first look at the new uniforms right here on diamondbacks.com as we display the uniforms and deck the site out in the new colors. Merchandise with the new look will be available online that night and beginning on Thursday at Valley Team Shop stores.
  
   
• The Biz of Baseball - An Interview With Todd Radom
  November 3, 2006
  Unless you've been under a rock, you've seen Todd Radom's work. It's either on a hat or jersey you own, you've seen one of his designs on television, in print or online media, or possibly on a product at the grocery store. And yet, you're asking, "Todd who?" Todd Radom has designed logos ranging from the Washington Nationals to the latest incarnation of the LA of Anaheim Angels. He's created the logo for Fenway's 90th Anniversary, the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as Super Bowl XXXVIII, the 100th Anniversary World Series logo from 2003, the logo for the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, and the World Baseball Classic.
   
• Green Bay Northwoods League Franchise to be Called "Bullfrogs" (Northwoods League (baseball))
  November 3, 2006
  The Green Bay Bullfrogs. That's what the city's new summer college baseball team in the Northwoods League will be called. The name, one of five put to a four-day online vote that ended Tuesday, was chosen from hundreds of suggestions by fans. “Bullfrogs really fits the concept of the Northwoods League itself and the type of entertainment we're bringing to the Green Bay community,” Jeff Royle, president of Titletown Baseball Group, said in a press release announcing the name.
  
   
• Las Vegas 51s Unveil 25th PCL Logo for 2007 Season (Pacific Coast League (baseball))
  November 1, 2006
  The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will celebrate their 25th season in Las Vegas during the 2007 campaign. The 51s organization have the proud distinction of being the longest enduring franchise in the history of professional sports in Southern Nevada. Las Vegas Triple-A baseball was born on April 10, 1983 before a crowd of 10,622 at Cashman Field.
  
   
• Cedar Rapids Kernels Unveil New Logo, Uniforms (Midwest League (baseball))
  November 1, 2006
  The Cedar Rapids Kernels unveiled their new identity to a group of local media and fans in a press conference at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Wednesday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “We feel this logo is a good representation of the Kernels and helps to bring home the fun we have here at Veterans Memorial Stadium every game”, said Jack Roeder, Kernels General Manager. “We are very proud of our classic logo but felt as an organization it was time to move forward.” “Prior to 1992, the Cedar Rapids teams tended to adopt the nickname of their affiliate”, said Andrew Pantini, Director of Graphics & Technology. “When the Cincinnati Reds ended their affiliation in 1992, the team held a ‘name the team’ contest and Gary Anderson (of Signal Communications) designed the current logo, which was widely praised throughout professional baseball. Dan Simon and Studio Simon were recommended as the company we should choose to help create our new logo and I feel this was a great choice. Dan was very helpful as we negotiated all the hurdles of creating a new identity for the Kernels.”