With the recent rebranding of the University (Fueling Tomorrows), I really do hope they have a plan for the Rocket brand in the near future.

The brand that we currently have is laughable. The amount of different uniforms and fonts that are used by the athletic department is alarming. I thought signing a multi year contract with Nike would help. I was wrong. Apparently Nike could care less that the uniforms are all over the place and look incredibly generic...I'm talking high school generic.

The best uniforms I have seen to date that look and fell like the Rocket brand are the track and field uniforms.... Don't get me started with the new football uniforms... we decided to scratch the rocket logo and add Toledo to the front in what appears to be Arial font...

This needs to be a priority...even trying to purchase UT Nike gear is hard. The bookstore and Rocky's Locker have extremely generic gear that looks like the type of clothing you make for a youth sports team.

The end goal should be UT officials, athletes and Nike sitting down and coming up with a new brand. One that speaks UT and honors our traditions and future. It should be consistent throughout all athletic teams and be easily recognizable for people outside of the Toledo area.

What would you like to see? Anything is better than the current situation.

I am amazed how hard it is to find an authentic sideline Nike Dri-Fit coaches’ polo.

(07-08-2019 09:43 PM)UTROCKET Wrote:  With the recent rebranding of the University (Fueling Tomorrows), I really do hope they have a plan for the Rocket brand in the near future.

The brand that we currently have is laughable. The amount of different uniforms and fonts that are used by the athletic department is alarming...
What would you like to see? Anything is better than the current situation.

Is it the branding or just the large variety in "uniforms" (misnomer for sure) that you're not liking?

If I were to summarize all the threads on the topic regards uniforms, opinions seem to go from prefering the every thing consistent model to let the kids have fun, the athletes vote these things.

To be honest, apart from volleyball I is I pay no attention. I couldn’t tell you what any team wears. Maybe I should pay attention, or would if we branded better, but as long as I know which team is us, I don’t care.

this mimics sentiments of a post I had after we won the softball MAC tourney.

Ideas?
1. All the same (primary) colors across all sports... Aka home whites or blues, and away whites or blues. Or whites and gold's... Don't care as long as it's the same. Preferably Midnight blue and white.
2. If we have grey anywhere, embrace it everywhere. We have sort of pulled it off in football, then shyed away multiple times. Basketball seems to like it, as our homes were grey for 2 or 3 seasons, and now the home whites have grey numerals.
3. Find a font that screams Toledo and use only it.
4. Make team gear more accessable. The cheap knock offs are nice at Walmart for 12$ because hey, it's something that the general public can afford! But I've seen one team official jersey sold and it was a #1 blue jersey of our last jersey style for 100$. More team actual gear! In 2012 we did it with Eric Page Jerseys even though he didn't come back . In 2005? They sold Bruce jerseys.
5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City. Some special jersey town series would be cool! The NBA does it for every team... (The land, motor City, the town, rip city, north). Only Akron in the MAC has a city nickname people can associate it with. I say let's roll with it.
6. Rocket nation is pretty lame. So is playing hells bells during 3rd downs... These are not unique. The "launch pad" however is a good nickname for a student section. We are the rockets so we should incorporate that as much as possible.
6b. Brings me back to grey... Space themed stuff has grey in it. If we were to do grey, it could be paired with Rockets easily.
7. When we played the buckeyes in 2011 campus had OSU gear trade ins for Toledo gear. That stuff was then donated to homeless shelters. We helped a cause and put our students in the right colors. That's a pretty cool theme. We should do this every year! Get those freshmen trained!

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

The sad truth is that anyone who may have the authority to be respectful of the history, meticulous and consistent with presentation and savvy enough to effectively market the Toledo Rockets brand either doesn’t have time (staff has been under heavy workloads due to budget constraints) or simply doesn’t care, or both. The university is losing enormous amounts of money due to this inattention IMO.

(07-09-2019 11:19 AM)toledobigmike Wrote:  The sad truth is that anyone who may have the authority to be respectful of the history, meticulous and consistent with presentation and savvy enough to effectively market the Toledo Rockets brand either doesn’t have time (staff has been under heavy workloads due to budget constraints) or simply doesn’t care, or both. The university is losing enormous amounts of money due to this inattention IMO.

+1

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

What's the marathon called that the city hosts which has the finish line inside the glass bowl?? What's the big 280 bridge called? Why TF are you so aroused on why it's still the nickname? Think of a better one and call a bunch of things in the city that. If it catches we can call Toledo that, until... Your comments are perpetually silly.

GOOGLE MACHINEY SAYS:
"Originally known as University Stadium, it was completed in 1937 at a cost of only $313,558 as a Works Progress Administration project. Originally the natural seating bowl held 8,000 in two sideline grandstands. There was a grass hill at the south end of the stadium, and at the open (north) end of the bowl were two stone towers (still standing), that served as makeshift housing for the football team in its early years. Following World War II, the stadium was renovated, with many glass elements. Because of this, and the city's concentration on the industry, the stadium was renamed the Glass Bowl in 1946. South end zone stands were added in 1966, and further expansion came following Toledo's 35-game win streak from 1969 to 1971, bringing capacity up to 18,500."

(07-09-2019 01:25 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

1: What's the marathon called that the city hosts which has the finish line inside the glass bowl??

2: What's the big 280 bridge called?

3: Why TF are you so aroused on why it's still the nickname?

4: Think of a better one and call a bunch of things in the city that. If it catches we can call Toledo that, until... Your comments are perpetually silly.

1: Do you understand causality?
2: Do you understand causality?
3: I fairly well explained it. It's a misnomer given to the city by Block and the University already has a brand, a better one. Why are you so woke that I disagree with your hopeful desires?
4: UToledo already has a better one, as explained and argued.

If you so desperately want your degree to say "Ass City U," I'm sure you can have it printed.

Frogtown Regatta
Frogtown Exotics
Frogtown Hobbies
Frogtown Auto Repair
Frogtown Roofing
Frogtown Books
Frogtown Froggy Museum: made from REAL TOLEDO Frogs, not Chinese ones!
THE University of Toledo FROGS


Now if we can just get duh'blades' Block to declare Toledo "Frogtown," UToledo can have another brand worthy of UofToledoFan's respect. Oh wait, I think he already did.

UH --- OH????
Someone please tell us marketing didn't steal?
UC Davis School of Management: Fueling Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

Dude, I am sure you have some pedantic definition in your head that you can only be called the "glass city" if you meet some special criteria that only you know about. You may want to take that logic up with Detroit, as I don't think they have ever produced very many "motors".

So, Libby glass doesn't count. Michael Owens inventing machine-blown glass that revolutionized the industry doesn't count. (BTW, I have read that the neighborhood where Libby built his first plant used to be called "Glassboro.") Nor does LOF (now Pilkington) which pioneered a new method of plate glass production. Nor Owens Illinois - which at one time was the biggest glass company in the world, although yes they did make lots of it in numerous locations other than Toledo. How about Glasstech, & First Solar, which pioneered the roll-to-roll manufacture of solar cells on glass. How about Johns Manviille and their fiberglass manufacturing plants. Heck, Toledo had a building called the Fiberglas Tower. Lots more things I didn't mention - lots more I probably don't know even about.

Sure seems like the city has had a heck of a lot to do with the glass industry. Why shouldn't it claim the title? Seems like an excellent example of branding. But I am sure you will tell us how none of this matters in the slightest.

Oh and one other thing about your remark on the "tour of the glass plant" ... yeah, Libby used to bus in people from out of town to tour the plant and shop at the outlet store. Don't know how popular it was, but it did happen, so...

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

Yea, I guess we can just forget about Libbey-Owens-Ford, Owens-Illinois, Owens-Corning, Pilkington, Libbey Glass...

it was always the Glass City to me. and that's a name that fits on a jersey and has a nice ring to it. not trying to get in some weird pseudo-intellectual message board argument over it tho.

and UofToledoFans original post is actually an attempt to address the thread focus in a detailed way. but, c'mon, UT athletics has had crappy marketing and gear for decades. this is an old problem and one that won't be fixed by the people who have the power to fix it because they are the ones who have been perpetuating it.

side note-a few years back I was having such a hard time getting a rockets basketball jersey that a relative with a connection talked to the staff who orders the team's gear and got them to print a jersey in my name as part of the team's order for that season. it's a great jersey (one of the gray ones) but I literally had to pretend to be on the team to get one.

(07-10-2019 03:25 AM)pono Wrote:  it was always the Glass City to me. and that's a name that fits on a jersey and has a nice ring to it. not trying to get in some weird pseudo-intellectual message board argument over it tho.

and UofToledoFans original post is actually an attempt to address the thread focus in a detailed way. but, c'mon, UT athletics has had crappy marketing and gear for decades. this is an old problem and one that won't be fixed by the people who have the power to fix it because they are the ones who have been perpetuating it.

side note-a few years back I was having such a hard time getting a rockets basketball jersey that a relative with a connection talked to the staff who orders the team's gear and got them to print a jersey in my name as part of the team's order for that season. it's a great jersey (one of the gray ones) but I literally had to pretend to be on the team to get one.

With Edu down we might need you. Are you 6’10”?

(07-09-2019 06:32 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  Yea, I guess we can just forget about Libbey-Owens-Ford, Owens-Illinois, Owens-Corning, Pilkington, Libbey Glass...

Not if you don't want to. Most of them are foreign owned and have been for many decades, do not have a glass making presence and an ever decreasing Administrative and research presence in Toledo so for ME, it's a misnomer.

But this thread is about UToledo branding, not Toledo branding.

Still do not see what connection you're making to UToledo. Location? That's it? It's as specious an association for the University as FROGS or Speedway. But if you like, it doesn't bother me at all. Why are you so bothered that I don't like it? Seems childish.

(07-09-2019 06:05 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

Dude, I am sure you have some pedantic definition in your head that you can only be called the "glass city" if you meet some special criteria that only you know about.
..

Dude, (lol, how old are you?) I dont really give a f what the city claims. This thread is about UToledo. I simply posted an opinion, nothing for you to get upset about, dude.

I do not see anything to be gained and more to be lost by taking up someone elses (with low reputation at that) branding when the one UToledo already has, is better. OP gave the opinion that simpler was better. I agree and it's NOT anything to do with glass.

People have an over inflated view of exactly what was and what was not accomplished in the city regarding glass, simply because John Block declared it the "glass city" in order to satisfy some business buddies and jumped on the band wagon. If he'd called it "Frog City" or "Speedway," or "duh'blade city" that would be the city's logo.

Everything I posted about the city and its limited relation to the glass industry and how the city came to be known as "Glass City" was taken from sources. If you call facts "pedantic" fine. If those facts do not line up with your desires and you choose them not important, fine. :shrug:

As I recall, it was actually Pittsburgh that was the "glass capital." at the time of the declaration. Seriously, you want to place the strength of your argument on a couple busses to the the Libbey outlet store? Fine, your choice.

I prefer the University's branding to have some meaning and individuality. If you don't, fine. Honestly, you having a different opinion doesn't both me. I honestly cannot figure out why my preference should have you so bothered. But I also don't care, I posted this irony for your own reflection, or not.

(07-09-2019 06:05 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 09:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-09-2019 08:19 AM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  5. Glass City uniforms are universally fans most favorite jersey we have ever had + our helmets have said Glass City on the forehead piece for years + we play in the Glass Bowl + in the Glass City.

Repeating your same nonsense doesn't make it any more true.

We weren't the "glass city" until John Block proclaimed us such and that family is not shown themselves good friends of the University of Toledo.

Toledo area has never been the major glass producer, let alone Toledo itself. There's very little glass in the city beyond imaginings and promotions.
The "Glass Museum" is made of glass from China.
The "Glass Bowl" isn't made of fragile glass, it's made of strong stone.
By your logic, they should put a frog on the uniforms. That also was a big Toledo promotion and branding.


As for "universally fans favorite" I missed that poll, where is it? I don't recall any jerseys for sale with that moniker, what were their sales numbers? What basis at all is there for that statement?

"Glass City" is too easily memed to "Ass City" and it will be.

Toledo citizens universally (see how easy this is) do not think of "glass" when it comes to Toledo other than follow the leader. No one says, "Come to Toledo, go take a tour of the glass plant."

University of Toledo has a brand, a brand much better than the city's, it's called "The University of Toledo." There's only one of those. UToledo sports teams have a brand, it's called "Rockets." There's only one of those in major college sports.

So sure, change all that to follow fakery.

UToledo wouldn't show wisdom to join a fast rolling downhill brand, let alone one that implies fragility.

Dude, I am sure you have some pedantic definition in your head that you can only be called the "glass city" if you meet some special criteria that only you know about. You may want to take that logic up with Detroit, as I don't think they have ever produced very many "motors".

So, Libby glass doesn't count. Michael Owens inventing machine-blown glass that revolutionized the industry doesn't count. (BTW, I have read that the neighborhood where Libby built his first plant used to be called "Glassboro.") Nor does LOF (now Pilkington) which pioneered a new method of plate glass production. Nor Owens Illinois - which at one time was the biggest glass company in the world, although yes they did make lots of it in numerous locations other than Toledo. How about Glasstech, & First Solar, which pioneered the roll-to-roll manufacture of solar cells on glass. How about Johns Manviille and their fiberglass manufacturing plants. Heck, Toledo had a building called the Fiberglas Tower. Lots more things I didn't mention - lots more I probably don't know even about.

Sure seems like the city has had a heck of a lot to do with the glass industry. Why shouldn't it claim the title? Seems like an excellent example of branding. But I am sure you will tell us how none of this matters in the slightest.

Oh and one other thing about your remark on the "tour of the glass plant" ... yeah, Libby used to bus in people from out of town to tour the plant and shop at the outlet store. Don't know how popular it was, but it did happen, so...

Art Glass Movement founded at Toledo Museum of Art, sadly in the current metals studio slated for destruction.