Commentary: UFL Football, The Hartford Colonials

by David F.P.

(All images used on a fair use basis. Those images are copyright the UFL)

At 2:30pm on September 18th, the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League will kick off their season at Rentschler Field against the Sacramento Mountain Lions. There has been a great deal of buzz about the team’s arrival and the natural skepticism that comes with the arrival of yet another pro sports franchise to the Hartford region. I am optimistic of the Colonials success not only because the UFL seems to be moving forward steadily but cautiously, but also because it’s just the vibe I get. (Not scientific I know.)  [The team's full schedule is listed here.]

The team’s logo and colors have been known for awhile, a drastic departure from the colors utilized by the UFL last season which were not that impressive. Instead a distinct design of gold, blue, and white, and most attempts at gold fail but this one works, kind of producing a UCLA vibe, and UCLA uses their colors to full effect.  The logo itself is one of the most complicated I’ve seen in professional sports but it blends both the stature of Hartford as a city that took part in the Revolutionary War, with the newer font designs int he “Hartford.” Plus the logo captures the spirit of the colonial period while not appearing like a copy of the Patriots red white and blue brand up north.

The team’s new uniforms were unveiled today giving the Colonials a distinct look from the other four teams as well:

More on the new uniform design is in the official Colonials release.

The other teams have more traditional modern designs with the block letters and such. I’m still getting used to the colors, they aren’t the colors I’d initially pick if I were starting the team, however I do like what they’re doing with them.

Moving to the field itself, Head Coach Chris Palmer has assembled an interesting mix of players including Connecticut alums, Andre Dixon, Dahna Deleston, and Keith Gray.  At Quarterback, long time NFL player Josh McCown is joined by former Kentucky starter Andre Woodson and a face familiar to the Big East fans in Bill Stull from PITT.  I don’t intend to go through or break down the entire roster, but there’s plenty of colleges represented.

I have already declared I believe the Florida Tuskers are meant to be the main rival to the Colonials, which is an interesting comment considering Hartford has yet to take to the field but I justify it this way. 1.) The Tuskers played at Rentschler to take on the New York Sentinels last season and beat them thus making the Tuskers the first UFL team to ever win in the home turf of the Colonials.  2.) The Tuskers are undefeated in the regular season although the Locos gave them a loss in the championship game, that streak has to end sometime, best to have the Colonials do it.  3.) No one knows what a Tusker is.

I for one am eagerly awaiting the start of the season.