Mason Gear Could Be Coming to a Store Near You

By Carrie Lake, BA Communication '98

Pride is on the rise at Mason, and the Alumni Association, Athletics, and Student Government hope it will soon be easier to find merchandise to express that pride. The three groups recently launched a campaign to encourage national retailers to carry Mason merchandise.

With two new logos—one for the university and one for Athletics—the groups felt it was time to approach retailers again about selling Mason merchandise. Working with the university's representative at Collegiate Licensing Corporation, they identified a number of vendors to target: Champs Sports, Dick's (Galyans), Finish Line, Lids, JCPenney, Pro Image, Sports Authority, and Wal-Mart.

The retailers received a letter in November about the increased demand for Mason items among the university community. The letter emphasized the high level of pride and loyalty within the Mason community, explained that Mason supporters represent more than 130,000 constituents who are eager to purchase Patriot gear, and asked the vendors to make a commitment to carrying university and Patriot Athletics merchandise in their stores. Collegiate Licensing will follow up directly with the retail chains to help move the effort forward.

The campaign now moves into a grassroots effort targeting local retailers. The Alumni Association is encouraging everyone to ask for Mason items whenever they shop so stores know there is a demand for such merchandise.

"If the vendors start getting a lot of requests for Mason merchandise, it will reinforce the fact that if they sell it, we will buy it," says Chris Clark-Talley, executive director of alumni affairs.

Of course, Mason merchandise is always available at the George Mason University Bookstore or online at gmu.bkstore.com.