Hockey jerseys give fashion punch
Popular teams, unique styles make apparel attractive sportswear option
By Lori Zito Special to the Kansan
Hold on to your hockey sticks. The latest in athletic sportswear is coming out of the ice rink and into a sports shop near you.
Hockeyjerseys are going to be the latest in sports fashion this winter, said Jeff Stallnaker, manager of the Kansas Sports Club on 837 Massachusetts St.
"It started by a couple of us here at work as fans. So we started carrying some merchandise, and now it has taken off," said Stallnaker as he looked toward a wall full of hockey jerseys.
He said that the National Hockey League is trying to market themselves more by getting more air-time on the ESPN sports channel. This is one reason why hockey jerseys are becoming popular.
"Most of the people who come in know the teams, but some buy things because of the design or colors (of the teams)."
Stalnaker also said another reason is that the style of hockey jerseys is quite different from any other sports jersey sold.
"Most of the people who come in know the teams,but some buy things because of the design or colors."
The most popular hockey jerseys selling right now are team jerseys from the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues. Stalnaker said that these two teams are popular here in Lawrence because there are many out-of-state students from both cities.
Hockey jerseys might be the newest trend
Jeff Stainaker
Kansas Sports Club manager
Doug Hesse/KANSAN
in athletic sportswear, but design, color, and reputation help determine what team apparel to buy.
Color is a big factor, Stalnaker said. "Forest green is a popular color. Many people come in and buy Michigan State apparel because that is the school's color."
Also big name colleges that are well known like Michigan and Notre Dame are always popular because of the reputation they have.
Stalnaker said that because of these factors, he sells a lot of different college team apparel other than KU.
Todd Adrian, KU student and employee of Jock's Nitch Sporting Goods Store at 840 Massachusetts St., agrees that color is what sells certain athletic sportswear.
Trent Nesmith, a Kansas Sports Club employee, models a hockey shirt. The shirts are popular this year.
Adrian said that many people come in looking for baseball caps, and even if it is a minor league team, people will buy it because of the color. He said that some people buy more for color because it is part of an outfit. "If people like just the way it looks and if it looks cool, then they will buy it."
Anne Garvey, another KU student employed at Jock's Nitch, said that many people come in and buy items that athletes tend to wear. She said that people will even come in and ask what certain KU athletes are wearing and then buy it.
According to Stalnaker, some well-known athletes who have an impact on sales are; Joe Montana, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Michael Jordan, former guard for the Chicago Bulls, and Kevin Johnson, guard for the Phoenix Suns.
The KU Jayhawk, however, does not have to worry about color, style, or athletic fame. Since Lawrence gives it the home-town advantage, KU apparel leads in sales by about 80 percent over all other logo sportswear sold here.
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