With fresh uniforms comes fresh opinions. And if there is one thing the Signal Sport Staff can be counted on, it’s sharing their opinions. Cynicism Lost When I first heard about the way that the uniforms were to be unveiled, I was skeptical. Being a cynic know-it-all is my forte (it’s why I’m an English major [ZING ZING!]), and I was sure that the release by social media idea would fall flat on it’s face. Let me tell you straight up: I was wrong. I was wronger than wronger. I was wrong, you feel me? I was quite caught up in the release. I enjoyed watching the puzzle pieces being stripped away to reveal the new uniforms. So, I’ll admit it; the athletic department did a fantastic job with both the release and the badass-ness of the uniforms themselves. And, to shamelessly rip-off one of my uber-talented staff: if they play like they look, the country needs to watch out. – Hunter Bishop, Sports Editor Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good New uniforms signal the arrival, yes, another arrival, of a new football frontier at Georgia State. But, wins, not eight different wardrobe options, will signal the true arrival of something new. Changes are a plenty anytime there is personnel turnover, whether it be unveiling new schemes on the field, or in the Panthers’ case, new color schemes off it. No doubt the Georgia Dome turf will feature a much different set of X’s and O’s this fall than in seasons past. A different number, a fuller number, in the win column is what fans, and the universities’ administration, truly want. Maybe the new digs, which I do like a lot, will help drive up the win totals and the attendance numbers. A man, who even claimed an ownership and construction interest to the very Georgia Dome the Panthers call home, once declared “if you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good.” Makes primetime sense to me. – Rhett Lewis, Senior Reporter If They Play Like They Look… Usually when a football team breaks out in new uniforms, it sparks the football club. Let’s hope this trend continues for the Georgia State Panthers. The Panthers haven’t been a team that has been appealing to Panther nation. Revealing the new uniforms gives a sense of excitement for the team. As a true football fan, I understand it takes time to build a program into a contender, but I say since we are in that beginning stages, we might as well look good losing. The old panther jerseys put you in the mindset of a Division II team but the improve threads would make a non-fan interested or inquire about the team. Earlier I alluded to football teams changing their jerseys or emblems on the helmet. Most of the time, NFL squads take this approach to change the mindset of the organization. Hiring Trent Miles as the head coach was the first important move toward change. This is, no doubt, a way to bring a winning attitude to a team and fan base that is in desperate need of hope. As for the jersey itself, I give them an A+ on style. The helmet is money and the uniforms should stand out in the Georgia dome lights. If they play like they look, then the country needs to watch out. – Raphael Haynes, Staff Writer A Panther Team, Royally Blunified The Georgia State Panthers have made it to the 21st century with the revealing of their new uniforms. There was nothing wrong with the old Adidas, Trojan style uniforms, which featured nothing more than a number and the word “Panthers” plastered across the chest. They sufficed, but they were ordinary. As the pieces unraveled hour by hour revealing more and more of the Panthers’ new Nike uniforms on social media, the changes that were appearing showed more than just a sleeker, more modern design. The changes give each player an identity. Names on the back of a jersey and helmet do so much more than give a player a sense of pride and belonging on a team. It allows the fans, the stadium, and the world to see, know, and identify a player for who he or she is. With the names now on the back of the Panthers’ jerseys, the Georgia State community will be able to know with certainty who made that play, who made that catch, and who the Panthers are. The team is still unified together with their royal blue jerseys and alternating helmets and pants to now add a continuing anticipation for fans when Georgia State runs out of the tunnel to see what uniform combination the team will feature that night. As they run out, unified by whatever uniform combination they have decided to show off, Panther fans will finally know each Panther’s identity. – Alec McQuade, Associate Sports Editor Something To Remember Under the previous regime, Georgia State wore conservative blue and white uniforms that were no different than your classic college football team. With a new regime at helm comes change — the latest change being the football uniforms after hiring former Indiana State head football coach Trent Miles last fall. Getting new uniforms was the next step in changing the football culture at Georgia State. Under Miles, the direction of the football uniforms is a more modern look with the addition of dark silver helmet, blue and anthracite pants. The anthracite pants give the uniforms more contrast which makes for a much better uniform compared to the limited white and blue uniform combinations that Georgia State fans have grown to get used to. Just like the #AllBlueAllin hashtag Georgia State implemented to show unity and school media on social media, the team incorporated an all blue uniform — which would further deepen the bond of “All Blue. All In.” not only on the web and school but on the field as well. Recruits and upcoming freshmen should want to wear the new uniforms just to be able to look back and be able to say they were apart of something special and new. – David Norwood, Staff Writer
