This first post is all about those who are trying to step up and set themselves apart. Some universities are doing it gracefully and artistically while others are tacky and gimmicky.
Our first story is East Carolina University. Take a look at their old midfield logo:
This old midfield logo is fairly traditional by simply using their mascot logo and putting it at midfield. Someone very artistic decided to change things up and ran with this logo:
Incredible! I really like how they incorporated the state into the logo. I only have my guesses as to why they went with the change, but the overall reason I believe is to let the nation know where East Carolina is. Most people around the country are left scratching their head trying to figure out where the state of East Carolina is. The outline of the state of North Carolina is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves as an indication to where their program is located.
Next is LSU.
The SEC is a conference dominated by tradition. Most of the storied programs are doing everything in their power to keep their traditional look, but LSU is doing a great job of putting a new spin on their current logo.
This eye is beautiful, yet still very intimidating. Someone in the field management of both of these universities is really stepping up the game and raising the bar. There is no end to how creative these midfield logos can be.
So for the "Fail Field" portion, I have to point out the obvious, easiest, and most current whipping boys of the NCAA:
Boise State.
I know, I know!!
I honestly do want to stop poking fun of Boise State, but if you want to hang with the big boys of college football, you have to stand out but all the while doing it with class. The actual logo itself is pretty modern and stylish, but the solid blue field is tasteless. I am all for creating a tough and hostile environment for your opponents to come play, but dressing your players in solid blue jerseys and hiding them on the solid blue field is just gimmicky. That being said, I actually want to see Boise State do some BCS damage not only to give all of the little guys hope, but also to reward them for their hard work.
So the take away point here is that there is a fine line between tasteful and tasteless. There is no real way to discern what will or wont be received as tacky. Programs just need to objectively look at those decisions and realize when something like a solid blue field is just obnoxious.
That wraps up this blog, but also leads me to the topic of the next post which will be alternatives to the current BCS system of finding our National Champs.
