Since the CFP games are boring, thought I’d start a new topic.

As much as an old guy like myself pretends I am cool (I’m not), I’m curious what ND can do to make themselves cool in the minds of 16-18 year old kids. Before all you fuddy duddys tell me who gives a crap, just play football. It matters in attracting these kids. Perception’s matter and ND is seen as an old, stuffy, white elitist brand.

Some positive steps I’ve seen recently:

 - MF is step one. Think it will help.

 - Night game atmosphere with “lightshow” and current music.

 - I think NDs social media and video department have killed it recently.

 - overall younger coaching staff that is more relatable.

Other ideas:

 - Uniform change, probably related to brand. UA isn’t bad but kids view Nike as “cooler”. 
 - Facility upgrades. Look at some other programs like Oregon or Bama.

 - NIL partnerships. There’s gotta be more that ND can do here.

 - More hot coeds? Ha

 

Curious  of your guy’ thoughts?

 

I think it absolutely matters. Apple isn’t so successful just because of their hardware or software, it’s the culture, brand, and identity they created for their users around the product. This is big business, CFB, not “just football” anymore. IMO. 
 

probably really low hanging fruit but - win a big, meaningful game like a CFP game or Championship, in addition to what you said. 
 

unfortunately that’s all I’ve got so far. Good thread!

Win big games.  That’ll make them look cooler to the kids.  

4 minutes ago, toddrhodes said:

I think it absolutely matters. Apple isn’t so successful just because of their hardware or software, it’s the culture, brand, and identity they created for their users around the product. This is big business, CFB, not “just football” anymore. IMO. 
 

probably really low hanging fruit but - win a big, meaningful game like a CFP game or Championship, in addition to what you said. 
 

unfortunately that’s all I’ve got so far. Good thread!

Completely agree. Apple has always thought outide the box and it’s a big part of their success.

Obviously winning trumps all and Nd needs to win. But that starts the chicken and the egg argument. 

Just wondering if strides can be made their without having to win a NC?

easy... strippers and blow

On a serious note: I think ND had a lot going for it already, but was held back by old school Kelly.

They play in NFL and "exotic" stadiums that no other team really gets to. I believe ND will be a strong contender in the NIL game. I think having a special uniform at least once a year is still a good idea and gets the players/recruits excited.
 

Edited January 1, 20223 yr by NDhoosier

Maybe they should try winning a big game

They missed the boat big time by passing on “Jump Around” as their pump up anthem…have to find something else to electrify those under 50 years of age… 

Uniforms are a big thing with the up and comers. UA isn’t very far behind Nike, trust me. I would love to see a bigger focus on the yearly different unis. 
I think the light show they showed this year was fantastic and a huge draw. Build on that.

Have to build on current social media (which has been really good btw). 
Build out support staff in nutrition, football centric facilities, recruiting, etc.

Winning takes care of all.  We've been in the conversation in recent years, but still haven't been winning the big ones.

Bringing back the football alums and getting them more involved in the program.  Seeing a who's who amongst former ND and NFL greats cruising our sidelines for home games is exciting for current players and recruits.  Zorich's podcast really talked about this issue with football alums.  It's mystifying how we do so little with the abundance we have.

I agree with the younger staff to an extent.  Cagey old coaches know a hell of a lot the youngins don't yet.

We can build on defense pretty well because we've been pretty successful on that side of the ball in recent years.  There's an identity there you can sell.  For the offense though there really hasn't been much of one.  We'll do well recruiting OL and TE, but we have a harder time getting lots of top talent at the skill positions.  Are there many top QBs seriously considering us because of our grab bag offense?  This is why this next season Rees and the O staff really need to develope an identity that will gain favor with kids that want to play in high powered offenses.

Never do Nike. Ever. Their business model in China is abhorrent. I’m sure ND could find up-and-coming my cool brands instead of using the swoosh. 
 

Create different blue/gold/white uniforms that don’t throw tradition out the window but yet are cool too.  Different unis for different games. I personally love ND’s uniforms as they are, but I’ll admit having uniform-envy when I see what Oregon does. Don’t go crazy like that, but do some different things. If you’re going to play Navy every year, create uniforms for that game that reflect that tradition for instance. 
 

Have one serious green out game a year. I don’t know how other teams do white outs or yellow/black sections in stadiums, but make it so every ND fan has green. Don’t leave it up to the fans to buy green gear. Give them something as they enter the stadium. Heck, make that into some NIL deal with different players’ names and pictures on different green shirts. The team wears green too. 
 

Capitalize the snow and ice. Create a new winter team event with strength and conditioning team events like ‘dog sledding’, curling using weights, and cross-campus skiing. NBC might love covering that too. Instead of the cold being a drawback, make it a draw. 
 

Don’t do smoke and lights like every other team. Be unique, cool, and different. 

Edited January 1, 20223 yr by AnTostal

42 minutes ago, AnTostal said:

I’m sure ND could find up-and-coming my cool brands instead of using the swoosh. 

There aren't many "up-and-coming cool brands" that can supply all of the apparel and footwear for all of the teams in the athletics program.

Two words:  MORE PARIETALS 

26 minutes ago, Blammm said:

There aren't many "up-and-coming cool brands" that can supply all of the apparel and footwear for all of the teams in the athletics program.

No doubt. 
So, get some shoe company that gives a pair of shoes to a person in need for each pair of shoes bought to be the shoe company. 
I’m sure that exists for other types of apparel as well. 
Think outside the box and own it. Don’t do what everyone else does. There’s no real branding in that. 

13 hours ago, toddrhodes said:

I think it absolutely matters. Apple isn’t so successful just because of their hardware or software, it’s the culture, brand, and identity they created for their users around the product. This is big business, CFB, not “just football” anymore. IMO. 
 

probably really low hanging fruit but - win a big, meaningful game like a CFP game or Championship, in addition to what you said. 
 

unfortunately that’s all I’ve got so far. Good thread!

ND should get Apple to be an official partner even if it is a sweatshirt deal for Apple. If ND uses music for visualization purposes they can probably get away with giving players the latest and greatest even if it's officially just a loaner program.

7 hours ago, jessemoore97 said:

Winning takes care of all.  We've been in the conversation in recent years, but still haven't been winning the big ones.

Bringing back the football alums and getting them more involved in the program.  Seeing a who's who amongst former ND and NFL greats cruising our sidelines for home games is exciting for current players and recruits.  Zorich's podcast really talked about this issue with football alums.  It's mystifying how we do so little with the abundance we have.

I agree with the younger staff to an extent.  Cagey old coaches know a hell of a lot the youngins don't yet.

We can build on defense pretty well because we've been pretty successful on that side of the ball in recent years.  There's an identity there you can sell.  For the offense though there really hasn't been much of one.  We'll do well recruiting OL and TE, but we have a harder time getting lots of top talent at the skill positions.  Are there many top QBs seriously considering us because of our grab bag offense?  This is why this next season Rees and the O staff really need to develope an identity that will gain favor with kids that want to play in high powered offenses.

Bringing back the alumni NFL players and former NFL players is a great idea.  Try to get current NFL players to come back to campus for a game on their bye weeks.

1 hour ago, AnTostal said:

Never do Nike. Ever. Their business model in China is abhorrent. I’m sure ND could find up-and-coming my cool brands instead of using the swoosh. 

Create different blue/gold/white uniforms that don’t throw tradition out the window but yet are cool too.  Different unis for different games. I personally love ND’s uniforms as they are, but I’ll admit having uniform-envy when I see what Oregon does. Don’t go crazy like that, but do some different things. If you’re going to play Navy every year, create uniforms for that game that reflect that tradition for instance. 

Have one serious green out game a year. I don’t know how other teams do white outs or yellow/black sections in stadiums, but make it so every ND fan has green. Don’t leave it up to the fans to buy green gear. Give them something as they enter the stadium. Heck, make that into some NIL deal with different players’ names and pictures on different green shirts. The team wears green too. 

Capitalize the snow and ice. Create a new winter team event with strength and conditioning team events like ‘dog sledding’, curling using weights, and cross-campus skiing. NBC might love covering that too. Instead of the cold being a drawback, make it a draw. 

Don’t do smoke and lights like every other team. Be unique, cool, and different. 

Agreed I don't do the Nike thing anymore.  UA makes apparel and footwear so there's no need to move elsewhere.  I love our current uniforms as they are.  I don't really wanna stray much from that.  We have the Shamrock Series every season so we get a gimmick uniform for that.  I'd love to get back to wearing green once per year.  To your question about green outs, I know for the New York Rangers playoff games, MSG leaves a blue shirt on every seat in an attempt to make it a blue out.  Doesn't always work though.  That's what ND Stadium needs to do with green shirts.  

1 hour ago, TexasDomer said:

Two words:  MORE PARIETALS 

I assume you're being facetious here.

54 minutes ago, AnTostal said:

No doubt. 
So, get some shoe company that gives a pair of shoes to a person in need for each pair of shoes bought to be the shoe company. 
I’m sure that exists for other types of apparel as well. 
Think outside the box and own it. Don’t do what everyone else does. There’s no real branding in that. 

We don't need "some shoe company".  We have UA.  

Of course I’m being facetious.

Need lift chairs put in stadium.