The timing couldn't be better, when college sports is in a COMPLETE LULL, introduce the ETSU BucsMall. It's not really shopping season, college sports are over, the memories of ETSU's conference title and almost upset over Pittsburgh gone, wow.
On that note, it's very friendly, easy to navigate, and the selection while small, is improving.

Holy crap BucLover...why don't you find something to be a little negative about? You are just so sweet and positive you are giving me cavities.

Maybe they want to start it up during a down time so if there are any glitches in the system they can be fixed before the rush? Ever thought of that?

I am constantly amazed at the narrowmindedness of people around here.

If they had opened it during the season, you would be complaining that 'it was stupid the site wasn't opened during the summer, so people could have bought stuff earlier'.

Anything to be pissy about, huh? :grumpy:

Oh...and yeah they do have some really nice looking stuff on there.

Usually you were out website glitches before you publish the site to the web, or atleast that's what they used to teach in the required IT classes at ETSU, and why not release it in the fall? After all, with no football program they could have spent the summer improving the variety and fine tuning the site, or maybe even release dare I say (DARE, DARE!) a BETA version.

My bad...I guess I'm just not thinking with the proper logic. Let me try again...

How DARE they actually try something new and somewhat innovative.
How DARE they try to make Bucs gear accessible for fans to purcahse.
How DARE they peek their heads out of the dark ages.

One must crawl before they can walk...and this is a step in the right direction. (much better than just "winning the right way" LOL) Lets rip the department for something when its accually warranted. I'm not going to complain one bit about making merchandise accessable to fans.

The last time ETSU tried something innovative they dropped the football program and I think we all know how popular that was.
I'm glad they did the site, I've said in the past it's LONG OVERDUE, but instead of a release like that to little fanfare, why not roll it out during ETSU Pride Week with all the fanfare and all that. The majority of people aren't paying attention to college sports right now. Their timing sucks, but I am glad they have the website. I'll use the site for sure, but from an exposure standpoing why not try to get some bang out of it from the students/community?

The site looks good and has a good selection of items. The only thing I would say the selection is not good at is the logos. I (and many like me) will not buy anything with the satanic head on it. Make some more options for people to select from and I think business will pick up a lot. But otherwise it's a great idea with a lot of things I would buy with a different logo on them.

And that's all I'm saying. It's a good site with a good selection, but use the secondary logos and I just don't see why they wouldn't release it during one of the few times of the year that would get it alot more exposure.

(06-13-2009 06:20 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  And that's all I'm saying. It's a good site with a good selection, but use the secondary logos and I just don't see why they wouldn't release it during one of the few times of the year that would get it alot more exposure.

It's called branding. The Buc head logo is the program's official logo, much like the Power T at Tennessee. You will not be seeing any secondary logos in the future. There were too many logos being used throughout ETSU's sports history and so what has happened is there is no "branded" logo. It's been obvious over the last two years that every program has moved from these secondary logos and are going with the primary Buc head logo. It's tough looking, not satanic, and the majority of fans really seem to like it. There's more shirts, hats and car decals of that logo moving through the Tri-Cities than ever before.

And Shadow is right on about the timing. From my understanding they wanted a "soft" opening, much like they do in retail or restaurants. Give the thing a chance to work and see what the kinks might be. Especially with web-based retail, you never can really test it until you actually make it live.

Though Lover might like you to think otherwise, there is some thought and reasoning behind the athletic department's decisions.

You know I like the new logo...but if your asking me which is my favorite...I'd have to go with the old popeye pirate. His charm was undeniable. But whatever logo we go with doesn't really matter all that much to me....just BRING BACK PEPPER!

(06-13-2009 08:48 PM)Buc2002 Wrote:  

(06-13-2009 06:20 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  And that's all I'm saying. It's a good site with a good selection, but use the secondary logos and I just don't see why they wouldn't release it during one of the few times of the year that would get it alot more exposure.

It's called branding. The Buc head logo is the program's official logo, much like the Power T at Tennessee. You will not be seeing any secondary logos in the future. There were too many logos being used throughout ETSU's sports history and so what has happened is there is no "branded" logo. It's been obvious over the last two years that every program has moved from these secondary logos and are going with the primary Buc head logo. It's tough looking, not satanic, and the majority of fans really seem to like it. There's more shirts, hats and car decals of that logo moving through the Tri-Cities than ever before.

And Shadow is right on about the timing. From my understanding they wanted a "soft" opening, much like they do in retail or restaurants. Give the thing a chance to work and see what the kinks might be. Especially with web-based retail, you never can really test it until you actually make it live.

Though Lover might like you to think otherwise, there is some thought and reasoning behind the athletic department's decisions.

It just burns me that the official logo isn't in the school colors. What's up with the Royal Blue and Carolina Blue? The school colors are navy blue and old gold.

The new Bucky looks nothing like the "brand" and is more like a smurf blue turtle with a Long John Silvers hat.

I'm well aware of what soft opens and branding is, and yes, you can BETA test a website before taking it live when it comes to making online purchases.
As for the secondary logos, there is nothing wrong with using them. UT has the power T, but they have other logos that they use. Most are ugly as hell, but they do have them, as does EVERY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY. You can buy shirts with the script "Gators" on it, even though that isn't their primary logo, but to put it more to a regional deal, Appalachian has the Block "A", as well as several different Yosef logos. It's okay to have variety, eventually everyone branches out from a ham sandwich and gets turkey or even chicken salad.
Oh, and if they are that damn concerned about branding, the mountain logo is what ETSU is recognized for, that was proven with the new logo debacle of a few years back. They tried the three lights shining through the mountains then had to go back to the standard ETSU with the mountains in the background.
Like I said, variety is a good thing. Atleast make things with a stock ETSU on it, after all, that's what they're trying to brand themselves as...

Yeah, I miss the BUCS logo with the sword under it that used to be on the football helmets, and the B with the sword that was on the baseball hats. I know at one time there were like 20 logos being used, which is overkill...but there is nothing wrong with secondary marks or wordmarks.

So, is this (http://www.etsubucsmall.com) something official from ETSU or is it from the student who runs the licensed store over on W. Walnut (I believe)?

(06-15-2009 10:03 AM)TheShadow Wrote:  Yeah, I miss the BUCS logo with the sword under it that used to be on the football helmets, and the B with the sword that was on the baseball hats. I know at one time there were like 20 logos being used, which is overkill...but there is nothing wrong with secondary marks or wordmarks.

WE AGREE ON SOMETHING AT LAST!!! The BUCS logo, the ETSU mountain logo, The crossed sword shield logo and the old baseball hat logo! Perfect!

Been trying to post on here forever, and it's finally working...

The branding on this one probably isn't the best, but my favorite Bucs logo is the B with the sword cutting through it.

For what it's worth, if you google image search for ETSU, looks like there are more results for the blue horizontal line mountains with ETSU than even the current (stupid) angry Aladdin geenie-pirate guy. I don't understand how when that mean-looking logo gets made into a mascot you wind up with something as fruity-looking as Bucky does; whatever.

Also, the old ETSU mountains logo reminds me of how the endzone was done when we still had football. Just saying.

Buc Island.

Caribbean Sea location intrigued me. Is that permanent or temporary ?

Where ?

You are best suited to be a "Buccaneer "fan given your location on the high seas.

ditto buc island

(07-08-2009 11:17 AM)JWBUC Wrote:  Buc Island.

Caribbean Sea location intrigued me. Is that permanent or temporary ?

Where ?

You are best suited to be a "Buccaneer "fan given your location on the high seas.

Semi-temporary relocation for work, just south of Cuba. No matter where you are though, it's always great to be a Buccanneer.

(07-08-2009 02:40 PM)Buc Island Wrote:  Semi-temporary relocation for work, just south of Cuba. No matter where you are though, it's always great to be a Buccanneer.

Ahh, wish I was on a Caribbean Island at the moment with a nice cool drink and some 'friendly' bikini-clad company...

Welcome to the board Buc Island!