Mini-helmet version of VT’s “Hokie Tracks” whiteout helmet.
Okay, we’re a little late to the party on VT’s “Hokie Tracks” whiteout helmets, but we figured we’d settle the issue with the definitive poll.
In case you’ve been under a rock, Virginia Tech will wear special white helmets for their annual “Whiteout” game, as they usually do. However, this year, instead of an old school VT logo, the Hokies are going with something, er, different: turkey tracks on the helmet.
Pictured to the right is a mini-helmet version, on sale at CampusEmporium.com. (That’s right, I slipped in the sponsor promo — click here to order, baby.)
The helmets got a LOT of play on the Interwebs, including VT players tweeting about them. (Scroll down to the bottom of this entry for a link to a video from the ACC Digital Network, and fastforward to the 1:30 point to hear what cousins Logan Thomas and Zack McCray had to say about the helmets on Twitter.)
Before we link to the video, however, here’s your chance to tell us what you think: good, bad, or indifferent? Register your vote, and as always, comments are welcome at the bottom. (Just keep it clean, haha.)
Loading ...Done voting? Click here to check out the video from the ACC Digital Network (fast-forward to the 1:30 point.)
Worst. Helmet. Ever.
Those things are worse than the laughable lids Maryland wore against Miami last year. They make our orange helmets look good. It’s bad enough we don’t seem to ever wear maroon britches anymore, but that is just hideous. Hey… whatever happened to wearing white on the road and darks at home? I would rather we quit wearing white at home. Ever again. You want to play with the home unis? Play with maroon, orange, or even black. And for God’s sake, lose the home whites!
Agree with Hokie JB.
You only have 12-13 times a year to generated quality brand impressions for the football program and the university. I doubt that anyone within the athletic office has modeled out the opportunity cost of not using our standard VT logo, but I am sure that there is some negative affect for recruiting (only in respect to future prospects not realizing that they are watching Tech in the highlights and thus not building an emotional connection to VT football).
There are two times in history where VT wore the non-standard uniforms and I was happy. Boise State and Stanford. Every time I see those highlights, I don’t even recognize VT as the losing opponent and that is a good thing!
generated = generates
When you are marketing a national brand, consistency is very important. I don’t like the idea of going from the modern VT, to the throwback VT, to turkey tracks because it diminishes a consistent image for VT. What’s the point of whiteout anyway?
I don’t mind the helmet as a one-time gimmick. But please stick to our base maroon and white uniform most of the time.
ESPN chimed in, and said that the Helmets were absolutely Hideous, and I agree. I just don’t get all of our Crazy Getups, let’s go with the regular VT look, and actually beat Somebody! Allan Bristow
Not a fan of this helmet – I think it looks ridiculous. I think Zach’s tweet sums it up nicely.
That being said, it sure as hell looks better than those new Notre Dame helmets they just unveiled for their game against the Canes. Now those are flat out hideous…
I am usually a traditionalist and am not crazy about all the uniform changes but I’ve come to the opinion if the kids on the team like it ,I’m all for it. They are the ones busting their tales to bring us enjoyment and as long as they are not just butt ugly ( like Maryland) I say kids have some fun.
But I won’t be buying a replica of that one unless it comes with a turkey gobble like the score board.
Truthfully, I think the football team should have mini-Hokie tracks as award stickers. Thoughts?
I never liked the helmet award stickers used elsewhere. But, that is just my opinion.
I agree. Too much clutter.
Only saving grace is they’ll be worn against a team that no one cares about so “hopefully” we’ll fly under the radar screen that week. I mean…”seriously?”…at least it gives my Hoo friends something to jab me with for awhile.
Man you took the words right out of my Mouth, I’ve already caught a bunch of Crap from snickering Wahoos
Just another example of the crass commercialism that is prevelent today in college football. A senior friend told me in mid 90′s that if VT was successfu, be careful what one wishes for, as there is a price for success. I do believe that Frank and VT in general handle it as well as any top 20 program, but just consider the quest for endless new football facilities.
Oh well, let’s hope for another > 10 win season.
Who gives a Rat’s Ass……..go play football!
I usually don’t care much about what we wear, but this new helmet is pretty bad…
I really do not care that they are changing the helmets and I like them as a one shot deal….but I do not like the underlying fact that it is really a move being pushed on all teams to just buy more equipment from the sponsors of the teams sports equipment such as Nike. It is ultimately a greed issue and I do not like that at all.
No. It’s an attempt by VT and Nike to get us, the VT fan, to buy more stuff. The uniforms are given to VT for free. VT isn’t paying Nike a dime for this, and if we, the VT fans, don’t buy any of it, Nike will actually end up losing money.
Why do we do white out anyway? lat I checked, our colors were orange and maroon. I am totally cool with all the different helmets/uni patterns. But I would like to stick to our colors. So if we’re doing a white out, I really don’t care whats on the helmet.
I don’t know why we “white out” either. We’re not even good at it.
Agree. Our fans actually like our colors so they don’t wear stupid old white. And I understand its for a good cause but I could come up with a dozen ways to raise $ for charity that don’t involve shedding our colors.
To get the students/fans to buy more merchandise in white. Same thing happened when I went with a friend to GT’s “whiteout” game. He was grumbling the same thing since they are black and gold.
Which is also why “Orange Effect” was invented, and that then led to Maroon Effect as well.
For the first Orange Effect, someone on the Student Government noted that most Hokie fans wore Maroon. Therefore, they all already owned maroon shirts, sweatshirts, etc. So how to make money? Have an “Orange Effect” game, and sell orange T shirts.
The first Orange effect game there was alot of Orange…but it was thrown together pretty quickly
Is it certain that these helmets are being auctioned off? Because the initial press release from the manufacturer of the VT camo helmets to be worn on 9/22 said those would be auctioned as well but I have not seen any official releases from VT about either helmet being auctioned. Maybe I missed it??
Wonder if I could put in a bid to buy the whole lot of them….They’d make a cool BONFIRE….Can I buy them this WEEK??
I like them for a 1 time special occasion thing. Thats about it
I am more in favor of logos depicted the schools initials. This could develop into other things. What’s next turkey feathers? poop? Pilgrims? Let’s play ball.
Just love my Hokies. Getting fired up just thinking about them playing. Go Hokies Go.
my wife and daughter think they are great. daughter (who goes to UF) thinks UF should do one with a gator track.
i plan to bid when they go up for auction
they are unique (like our colors, mascot, and nickname) and the proceeds will go to a good cause
not bad for a one and done
They are just stupid looking.
What’s wrong with them?
If a helmet has a facemask, tee it up…..let’s separate the pretenders from the contenders !
I went with “Whatever” because I’ve given up on all these uniform changes, white outs, maroon effects, orange effects, etc. I really would prefer VT to stick with a couple of basic uniforms (ie, Home, Away….and you can vary the pant color some if you want. no changes in helmets), but I just don’t care enough about it to be a vocal opponent. They’re going to do it whether we like it or not.
So, I don’t hate the turkey tracks more or less than our other variations.
I can’t believe that this helmet shows up in the What’s New filter.
I am outraged.
Go back to the Lounge, and start a bunch of threads, and respond to a bunch of other threads.
Better than crossed drumsticks, I guess.
Mmmmmmmmmmaybe.
Probably six and one half dozen of the other. . . . a toss-up. . . . . two sides of the same coin.
Hate is a little strong, but I do find them distasteful, to say the least. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it but they could have come up with something better.
They are kind of goofy but for one game I guess its ok.
They’re nice, but not as great as the Lounge.
What do we have to do to get a maroon Fighting Gobbler on a white out helmet?
Good question that’s been asked before. We’re still waiting for an answer.
The Hokie trax helmet is too cartoonish.
Who makes a cartoon the primary focus on their helmet?
If the helmet auction is really important, they would have cleaned up with the fighting gobbler on the helmet. Would have had people fighting over them.
The Hokie trax – not so much.
One and done – please – one and done.
It’s for a good cause, and since they will be sold after the game for charity, hopefully they will net a good price since they are definitely unique. We have so many different helmet/uniform combinations these days, it really doesn’t effect me one way or the other.
I bet they would make more money for the charity, if they ask for donations to see us NOT wear them…I would contribute to THAT.
I think they would have looked better with just one larger track on each side.
Definitely should have just one big turkey track on each side. Think Clemson Tiger paw.
Wouldn’t that make it one legged Hokie Bird?
Perhaps no more so than a one paw Tiger/lion/panther etc.
No. You have to imagine one huge turkey on top of the helmet with one foot on each side of the helmet while one of our players is wearing the helmet.
Yeah, right. One trax on each side would be an improvement.