Tradition Tackled?

There it is.  The Seminole Head logo from Florida State University, proudly representing Florida State University since 1971 with heartfelt significance to all Seminoles.

Florida State Seminole Head Logo

A traditional logo rivaled by few, if any.  In fact, the iconic Seminole Head transcends sports; showcasing our university and the Seminole Tribe of Florida we are so honored to represent, with class and dignity.

On April 2, much of Seminole nation became aghast and angered at an effort by Florida State, in conjunction with NIKE, to change the logo for a more modern representation.  A bungled release of the new logo, a picture snapped by a fan from a Florida Wal-Mart, has set off a firestorm FSU of negativity at FSU, and rightfully so.  Take a look:

New Florida State Seminole Head Logo

Given the outstanding logo all Seminoles cherish, one has to wonder the motivation behind the nonsensical idea to change the best looking logo in all of sport?

Amidst the backlash, FSU athletics issued a statement in which they mentioned a two year study revealed the iconic logo did not reproduce well in a number of mediums and was difficult to embroider.

To learn it is being changed due in part due to "embroidering" issues is insulting. 

The outrage by the Seminole faithful is out of control and has FSU in significant damage control. 

Gene Williams, the purveyor of WarChant.com, a fantastic web platform chronicling FSU athletics, was in Orlando on Thursday night, April 3rd, to discuss spring football practice and the prospects for the football team as it regards the 2015 season.  In talking with Gene, it was apparent to me the full extent of the outrage had not yet been adequately assessed.  That is no way a knock on Gene, who is on his game 24/7, a leading source in FSU athletics and a real nice guy, but more a sense that FSU Athletics and its tentacles were oblvious to the brewing storm.

Williams, affectionately known as Dot.com, penned a great piece on this most unfortunate situation on WarChant.com

But FSU, no doubt in a bout of arrogance, failed miserably in appraising the pulse of the fan base and measuring the emotional level Seminole fans have regarding the traditions we hold so dear.  In fact, a fan, Jodi Slade, with some level of skill in marketing and design presented a logo alternative that is appealing to many faithful, if, and that is a big if, the design needing changing the first place.  Take a look:

Current Logo and new Jodi Slade designed logo

 

FSU and Nike took two years and Jodi Slade needed an evening.  Oh my!

Then word leaked there would be changes to the uniform, including the helmet, which is simply fighting words.  Changing our helmet, appropriately voted the best looking helmet in the game by ESPN, is unnecessary and without merit. 

FSU 2013 Helmet

I am spitting tomahawks!

Jeff Cameron, of ESPN 97.9 in Tallahassee, a well connected and respected media voice in the Florida State community, although not a big fan of the new Seminole Head logo, has seen the uniforms, including the helmet, and thinks they are really nicely done.  Cameron mentioned the embrace a historical element of the Seminole Tribe and are classy in the approach. 

In addition, he says the helmet changes are very minimal. Among the changes was the spear supposedly wraps around the back, which seems slight.  The facemask may be gold like the helmet, which I would be a loud opponent of. 

In fact, leave the helmet alone. Period. 

Perhaps it is the turning of the clock.  Perhaps it has been assisted by the baseless rhetoric of our president, Barack Obama. Michelle Obama said Barack knows the citizenry will have to change our history and our traditions.  But, there seems to be an overriding notion to affect change on just about anything; not change due to necessity or the will of the people or for the better in most cases, but seemingly just to do it.

As the clock ticks, change in inevitable.  But, as evolutions in cell phones is one thing, manipulating things our society has gotten right, as an effort of appeasement or political correctness, is a display of weakness and lack of principle.

That is just as true for Uncle Same as it is Chief Osceola.

History and tradition should be embraced, and unless significant issues exist, and none do at Florida State, major changes in the top notch uniforms and logos of our beloved university should not be entertained. Our highly valued traditions are not in need of change, and I strongly disagree with those in FSU Athletics who found the idea of this change welcoming.

At the unveiling this Friday night, I have no doubt a cascade of booing will fill the air of the evening with the "official' presentation of the "new" logo. With any luck, FSU will have to backtrack and keep the traditional Seminole Head logo, which should have never been changed to begin with.

Go Seminoles!