UP Merchandise (and lack thereof)

Wow, it would be nice to have something like these (links) in Purple & White:

Cool Nike Team Polo

DTR's Replica Shorts

I could think of a few things to put on the front of one like this... Merlo Field maybe?

The polo that coaches (and other insiders) have, but the public cant get...

You need a lid for sunny games at Merlo...

I'm sure this could come in purple with white accents, and a big P on the front...

Last I checked, zipper hoodies were popular...

This would look pretty cool with a big ol' P logo on the front

I hear you loud and clear on that one... All of them actually... God I hate nike.... and all its cruelty....

I saw at one point that UCSB and Tennessee actually sold soccer jerseys. UP has an excellent soccer culture from what I see. This would be a great product to sell.

Other than the leftover "old jersey" sale they have every now and again I don't think they do that.... Haha but man that would be quite the hot ticket, but again I think it would take some serious coaxing for those blokes down in Beaverton to put them into production....

Maybe part of the problem with soccer merch is that Garrett has said off the record that gold on the uniforms will be over his dead body. I guess he had to back off some but. I don't see a real interest about merch for the soccer teams. Maybe the humble mindset that doesn't put the names of the players on the backs of jerseys. I can't explain it except for the fact we are not an American Football school which has enough interest to justify its own STORE in downtown Portland like the Ducks and the Beavers. I must admit that I was envious when I saw the Duck store and imagined in my mind purple and white everywhere in the same setting.

I have a theory there is no individual that has the responsibility to outsource strategic alliances to produce all the good knick knacks almost every other D1 has to offer. Could be that the school wants to limit the commercialization of the UP name. I dont know but I found a scarf that I picked up when they were available. It is a prized possession now.

I think you might see more UP regalia in the future. I know it's been one of the goals. First there was the issue of not having copyrights on the old logos. without that, anyone could just rip them off and UP would have had no recourse. That part is now solved.

One problem that won't go away is the alumni base. UofO and OSU have like 10 times the alumni base UP does, and they get WAY more coverage in the media that UP does, which creates more demand for products.

I see it changing, though. When I started coming to UP games, most people didn't know about us. Now, it seems, every kid in the state who plays soccer looks to UP's success as a model. Apparel will come, but it won't come soon enough

I've always thought that UP had a certain niche in the sense that the school's name is "Portland". So even if you aren't an alum, if you have something cool that says "Portland" on it, you might be able to have the general public a bit more interested. I for one have always thought that if we could get something in the Nike store in the airport, tourists looking for something to buy for their families might be inclined to get a shirt/sweatshirt that says Portland instead of Oregon or Oregon State.

But Geezer is, of course, right. We are just a small school with a limited number of alums. We're never going to get a section of our own in Nike stores or the mall sports stores or anything like that. But getting at least a little bit of stuff in those places? That would be nice.

Agreed... grudgingly. Unfortunately it takes success in a big name sport like American football or basketball to really establish yourself commercially (a la the dreaded Zags). I don't think is because UP doesn't WANT to establish itself in that way, more that its easier said than done. Any income the school can make off the logo or any sort of brand recognition means $$$ for the school, more interest and to be honest will increase applicants (as ridiculous as a reason as it might be). But I gotta agree with Stoney (Yes geezer thats right, the cahoots continue) cashing in on the PORTLAND name is something UP definitely needs to do

DTR, you don't have to keep posting as two people agreeing with each other. One longer post will do as well....

Touche...

Well, ask and you shall (gradually) receive. There were some racks outside the merchandise stand tonight and some items I had not seen before.

They now have fitted hats with the new logo, and I might get one of those. For those who care they are Richardsons, not quite as nice as Nike and not nearly as good as New Era. I know that sounds strange to people who don't care about hats, but I'm strange that way (and in others ).

There was a Nike polo similar to what I've seen worn by other schools, too. And as for replica jerseys, they have arrived. But they seem to be only in kid sizes, and look a lot like the replicas I saw for sale for a tenner on every street corner when I was in Italy.

This is a promising start overall, I would say. I did pick up a Pilot Country shirt because I liked the design and it's the first time I can recall Nike making a shirt especially for us.

Not to rub it in, or anything...

Sigh.... Honestly I think the only way to get anything done is to make your voice heard, email Larry Williams or Tricia Miller, let them know we want scarves.... They can only ignore so many emails until something gets through right

I agree with DTR. E-mail the Athletics Department; Tricia Miller would be the best one to contact along with Larry Williams. Both e-mails are on the athletics web site. They should know that they are leaving money on the table here! UP Athletics Contacts

IMO, a part of the issue with apparel in general is that there isnt a specific person who oversees the apparel side of the business for both the Athletics Dept. and Bookstore. E-mails to the bookstore manager (Erin Bright) would also be good... they need to know what they should stock that they aren't. Bookstore Website Contacts

funny story about the scarves. There was a student who made scarves that you may see a few people wearing. he made them last year and sold them. Turns out that the university saw that everyone was buying them, got mad, said he couldn't do it anymore becasue he was infringing on the copyright. Last year i just figured that the bookstore would start selling them but they haven't. This particular student may still be selling them I'm not sure, but a lot of students have them.

Wow, improvement!

Finally: a replica jersey from the bookstore!

Bookstore



Next, hopefully we will get some decent t-shirt varieties!

I stopped by the bookstore yesterday and I have to say that I was impressed with their selection... much better. The Nike and UnderArmor apparel is nice... and there are many new bumper stickers, etc... A vast improvement.

Kudos to the bookstore staff!

Glad to hear about the apparel selection. I need to stock up seeing as how I am in Portland maybe once a year. Sounds like I am going to be heading straight to the bookstore when I get in town and staying on campus until Sunday afternoon when the Pilot women are officially in the sweet sixteen.

KFTC wrote:Not to rub it in, or anything...

Someone should forward this link on to Trish and Larry... I mean it would be cool to have one side signify the Women's accomplishments and the other the Men's

I'd pay $20 for one, and I don't think I am alone in that.

I just checked that link. $30?!?! Really? They cannot be serious. Even $20 is too much for me.

Timbers Army (several designs and variations out there): $8.
Purple Pride: $10.
Then again, these are designed by fans who are only trying to make back the money they spent. On the other hand the unofficial scarves often look cooler than the official ones.

If the Pilots want to make one of their own, fine. Some fans can buy that one, others can buy the unofficial one, and some can buy both.

I think the cost of the OSU scarves is high because it's one of their program fundraisers. Anything to help offset their travel and expenses.

PilotNut wrote:Wow, improvement!

Finally: a replica jersey from the bookstore!

Bookstore



Next, hopefully we will get some decent t-shirt varieties!

Maybe I'm just cynical, cheap or a little of both but if I'm paying 55 bones I don't want an off brand knock off jersey... I mean they sell knock offs in the streets of europe for like 15....

Wow. That's a lot of money for a replica that isn't even a true branded replica. These style of Nike jerseys are on sale here for $50. Five bucks cheaper if you're a member of their savings club. Buy a white one, dye it purple and you're good to go. Better yet, get some friends to chip in with you to buy in bulk and it'll be cheaper.

DaTruRochin wrote:

PilotNut wrote:Wow, improvement!

Finally: a replica jersey from the bookstore!

Bookstore



Next, hopefully we will get some decent t-shirt varieties!

Maybe I'm just cynical, cheap or a little of both but if I'm paying 55 bones I don't want an off brand knock off jersey... I mean they sell knock offs in the streets of europe for like 15....

Agreed! I said that very thing on this thread early in the season.

I went to Italy on a high school trip 10 years ago and those booths were on every street.

As for the Nike jersey, you could stop by Office Depot and buy a purple Sharpie....

And it seems to me that since the shirt isnt Nike branded, they cant sell them at the actual games where the most fans are... not smart planning....

I saw the uniform in person at the Bookstore... I was not impressed with it.