News - 10/03/2002

Arena Football League - Colorado Crush

Colorado Crush Unveil Logo, Uniforms

Colorado Crush - Primary Logo DENVER (October 3, 2002) - In a program that featured action-packed video pieces and culminated with a fashion show-like presentation, the Colorado Crush unveiled the team's logo, uniforms, and apparel at Pepsi Center. The program also included insights into the entire logo, uniform, and apparel development process.

Colorado Crush - Uniforms "It's been an amazing process and we're really excited about the entire look," said John Elway, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Crush. "There's no question we're getting close to putting our team together and we are confident our players will like wearing these uniforms come February."

In addition to the extravaganza at Pepsi Center, the Colorado Crush also announced the launch of the team's new website, www.coloradocrush.com. The site will serve as a valuable source of information and will also enable Crush fans to purchase season tickets and official Colorado Crush gear.

Elway's Crush unveils uniforms

By Irv Moss
Denver Post Sports Writer

Friday, October 04, 2002 - John Elway wasn't in his Denver Broncos uniform Thursday, but he was the proud owner of a new one belonging to the Colorado Crush.

As co-owner, president and chief executive officer of the Crush, Elway helped unveil the team's uniforms at the Pepsi Center. Elway said with the uniforms in place, Denver's new Arena Football League team has an identity. The team's logo also was shown, with the team colors of blue, gold and orange.

"After getting past this, we're looking forward to getting some players," Elway said. "It's fun to see things taking shape because it has been a long haul to get to this point. We have a couple of weeks to go before we can start signing players."

Rosters will be filled through the Oct. 22 expansion draft.

The Crush open training camp Jan. 5, and its first game is scheduled for Feb. 2 at the Pepsi Center. Elway indicated there's a chance the Denver opener could be televised as part the league's television agreement with NBC.

While the Crush is Elway's new focus, there were obvious connections to the Broncos.

"We came full circle on the uniforms," Elway said. "We didn't want it to look too much like the Broncos, but we wanted them to come from the same gene pool. That's why we went with the blue. The gold worked out to where we thought it was a great mix. The orange is a little darker orange than the Broncos have now.

"We want to attract the younger audience, but also the mainstream Broncos and Avalanche fans as well. We went pretty traditional. I like the classic look."

One of the most noticeable parts of the uniforms is the stylized numbers.

"They're more progressive looking than the standard block numbers," said Irene Mendelsberg, the uniform's designer. "Our uniforms aren't far out. We got a lot of inspiration from discussions with a crossover of different athletes."

Elway also introduced a line of team apparel that will be available to fans at retail outlets.

The former Broncos quarterback was upbeat about the chances for success of the Crush. Denver previously had an Arena Football League team that folded.

"I think the league is a lot stronger now," Elway said. "It's a sport that has been underexposed for a long time. It's a fast game. I think once people see it, they'll enjoy it. I think if we get 9,000, 10,000 people, we're in good shape. But we think that's a conservative estimate of where we'll be."

Crush's threads laid bare As (familiar) colors go, Arena League team's offer a splash

By Pat Rooney, Special To The News October 4, 2002

The Colorado Crush is new to the Arena Football League, but the organization seems as if it already is an old pro when it comes to spectacle.

The Crush unveiled its logo and uniforms Thursday at the Pepsi Center, and if the actual games are as outrageously dramatic as the uniform show was, fans should prepare themselves for plenty of eye candy when the season begins in February.

There were flashing lights and smoke screens on the stage. There was a video presentation that showcased Arena Football highlights - and even a police motorcade that delivered the jerseys and helmet, which was encased secretly in a black cover and set upon a pedestal as though it were the Holy Grail.

Fireworks accompanied the unveiling of the logo - a white "C" with orange trim set upon a dark blue, off-center oval shaped like a flying football.

"The logo was the first thing, and that (process) started about three months ago," said Ron Sally, the team's chief operating officer.

"We were looking to do something that was unique, that was dynamic. Our goal was to come up with something that was a little different but was not offensive in any way."

The helmet's base color is dark blue, with a white stripe that runs down the center and recedes to a point in back. The logo on the helmet has a blue "C" with orange trim set on a white oval.

The home jerseys also are blue with gold patches on the shoulders and the outside of the hips that fade into the same kind of point as the stripe on the helmet.

The numbers, which also are on the shoulders, are white with orange and blue trim. The white road jerseys sport the same gold patches, but the numbers are blue with orange and white trim.

The Crush also developed an alternative road uniform, which features gold pants instead of white. Team apparel soon will be available all around Denver.

"We didn't want it to look too much like the Broncos, but we also kind of wanted it to be from the same gene pool," team president and chief executive officer John Elway said. "I think (the uniforms) complement (the Broncos), but it doesn't look exactly like them."

With the logo, uniforms and management personnel in place, all the Crush needs now is players. The team has conducted open tryouts, and Elway was busy on the scouting circuit during the league playoffs this summer.

The team cannot sign players until the middle of October and expects to fill much of its roster during the expansion draft.

The 20-round draft will take place Oct. 22. Training camp will begin the first week of January in preparation for the first game Feb. 2. Although not confirmed, NBC is expected to broadcast the Crush's first game.

"I'm looking forward, after all this, to getting some players," Elway said. "It's fun to see things taking shape because it's been a long haul. It's nice to get this part over. Now we can get back into getting some football players."