Color in fencing!Why not?

[arcon]

I couldnt help but notice the red,white and blue lame's at one of the Nac's last year. It was pastel of course. What does everyone think about adding more color to the game?
I've also seen some of the fencing jackets with the bright colors down the side of the sleeves with the same dezign available down the pant legs
of the knickers.

[Inquartata]

I have said it before, and I'll say it again.

Blecchhh!

[shyHeidi]

White pants bother me.

It'd seem somehow pointless and would seem like you were trying to hide the fact that you're a fencer if you started wearing all kinds of flashy colors and what-not, but otherwise, jeeze, we all look like clones. <img src="graemlins/crap.gif" border="0" alt="[Crap]" />

Why don't people sponsor us and paste their logos all over our clothes like they do with racecars?

[shyHeidi]

[quote] Mr. Teapot says:
<strong>
I wear nothing uniform, I wear NO god damn uniform! </strong> <hr></blockquote>

*shrug*

[Niceguy4186]

[quote] Why don't people sponsor us and paste their logos all over our clothes like they do with racecars? <hr></blockquote>
could this be the next step from seperating sport fencing from classical fencing?
ps, what is the point/historical point of an all white uniform?

[lochinvar]

I have long been an advocate of more color in the uniform.

I'm thinking something along the lines of what the speed skaters were wearing during the recent Olympics... those red flame unis would look nice on the piste, don't you think? (NOTE: The preceding was not intended as sarcasm. I really do think the sport would look better with colorful outfits.)

ON the other hand, I don't think a spandex uni with Nike swooshes or "Reebok" plastered all over it would be that attractive. And don't get me started on Adidas!

And the reason that major corporations don't sponsor us and plaster their names all over our uniforms is that we don't have a large spectator base. (If you're going to advertise, you want people to see your name.) However, the FIE and USFA must be concerned about that happening, since there are rules about the number/size/color of the advertising you can wear...

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by Inquartata:
<strong>I have said it before, and I'll say it again.

Blecchhh!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Careful, Inquartata--you'll be quoting Evangelista next!

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by shyHeidi:
<strong>White pants bother me.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

Me, too. Especially after Labor Day.

[Niceguy4186]

[quote] And the reason that major corporations don't sponsor us and plaster their names all over our uniforms is that we don't have a large spectator base. <hr></blockquote>

maybe the unique uniforms will help increase the fan base?

[Pierfrancesco]

i saw some guys on the weekend wearing uniforms that had a lot of blue on them. i thought they looked like smurfs <img src="graemlins/jawa.gif" border="0" alt="[Jawa]" />

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by Niceguy4186:
<strong>
could this be the next step from seperating sport fencing from classical fencing?
ps, what is the point/historical point of an all white uniform?</strong><hr></blockquote>

In days quite heretical, when fencing weren't electrical (hey, that almost worked!) there was an ink tip on the ends of the weapons. White was simply the easiest to see them on when a touch was scored.

[lochinvar]

I'm surprised you haven't weighed in on this issue, Sam, considering your preferences in hosiery.

[Zelda]

Pier, That means you have had your first exposure to the Lewith Brothers. Who won on the weekend anyway?? WF if you know it!!!

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>I'm surprised you haven't weighed in on this issue, Sam, considering your preferences in hosiery. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I've said it often enough...I like the idea of colors in the uniforms...not like the Spiderman epee guy from the PFL, but solid colored knickers and socks (my socks are purple...duh!).

Aside from money issues, another factor that attracks spectators is a bit of spectacle, and everyone wearing white does NOT provide that, the actual action on the strip aside.

Waaaay back when pro football players wore leatehr helmets (the Red Grange era (?)), the Rams were the first to decorate their helmets as a way of identifying the players. The current uniforms grew out of that.

I see no reason why fencing uniforms can't follow the same theory, if somewhat restrained.

I forst wore my purple socks as a way for my sister to find me at California State Games back in '98. They've since become a trademark. Why else do you think the background on my business site is purple?

[shyHeidi]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>And the reason that major corporations don't sponsor us and plaster their names all over our uniforms is that we don't have a large spectator base. (If you're going to advertise, you want people to see your name.) However, the FIE and USFA must be concerned about that happening, since there are rules about the number/size/color of the advertising you can wear...</strong><hr></blockquote>

We don't have a large spectator base, but that just means we'd be cheaper advertisement. I mean, think about it, you could have the kellogs frosted flakes guy up against the round table pizza guy... People would be able to tell who they were watching. If people watching found that they liked watching a certain fencer, they'd be able to tell who that fencer was. I mean, "See that guy over there? Who is he? That guy in the white. Yeah, between those other 2 guys in the white, over there in the corner where all those guys in the white are standing. Yeah, him" doesn't really work.
<img src="graemlins/freak4.gif" border="0" alt="[Freak2]" />

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by shyHeidi:
<strong>
&lt;snip&gt; If people watching found that they liked watching a certain fencer, they'd be able to tell who that fencer was. I mean, "See that guy over there? Who is he? That guy in the white. Yeah, between those other 2 guys in the white, over there in the corner where all those guys in the white are standing. Yeah, him" doesn't really work.
<img src="graemlins/freak4.gif" border="0" alt="[Freak2]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

You're preaching to the choir, Heidi--I'm already a believer. But I'm afraid we won't be seeing advertising dollars showering over us from Domino's Pizza or Jiffy Lube anytime soon...

On a more serious note, refer to the quote below:

m.25.1.3, page 94 of the 2000 rulebook:
"Note: At USFA local, divisional, and sectional competitions, there are no
restrictions on colors or decorations on uniforms, providing that the
uniforms still comply with all other requirements." (bold added)

So, be as colorful as you want. Just don't show up at Nationals with red pants and a green jacket.

[edew]

[quote]Originally posted by shyHeidi:
<strong>

We don't have a large spectator base, but that just means we'd be cheaper advertisement. I mean, think about it, you could have the kellogs frosted flakes guy up against the round table pizza guy... People would be able to tell who they were watching. If people watching found that they liked watching a certain fencer, they'd be able to tell who that fencer was. I mean, "See that guy over there? Who is he? That guy in the white. Yeah, between those other 2 guys in the white, over there in the corner where all those guys in the white are standing. Yeah, him" doesn't really work.
<img src="graemlins/freak4.gif" border="0" alt="[Freak2]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>


Hmm...we'll see what Kendall-Jackson will do this July. Maybe they'll sponsor a team. The Kendall-Jackson fencing team. I'll be on it. Just wait a while. Being in a hot-area for fencing, my radars are picking up all sorts of noise about possible MAJOR sponsorships coming soon. Will they happen? Dunno, but I smell it in the air.

All I can say is, Michael Dell, better watch your back!

[KC]

Well... I didn't know that. Hehehehehe... I think I may be placing a few designs on my uniform. I wonder how bold. Maybe flames down the back and off the non weapon arm. Or some interesting airbrushed designes... We shall see.

[Peach]

So as long as the body is white or a light shade, at local, divisional, or sectional tournaments, I could dye my trousers chartreuse and my sleeves hot pink and it would be legal? Of course since I'm a sabre fencer it doesn't matter what I do to my jacket anyway. It could be pink and purple polka dots for all they know.

I'm all for color in the uniforms. Whenever I take spectators to tournaments I have the hardest time pointing fencers out to them, plus white shows grime REALLY well.

[KC]

What about painting the mesh on your mask? Can you do that?