When entering any sporting goods store, a fan is bombarded by numerous replica uniforms, hats and gear for the many different professional sports teams.
The sports enthusiasts can also find authentic jerseys, caps, and memorabilia for many Division I college athletic programs.
Why is this observation needed? Well, it's to pose the question. Why doesn't Long Beach State market its jerseys? The University of Michigan does, USC does, Why not LBSU?
I realize the Wolverines usually makes it to NCAA Final Four, and the Trojans are in the Pac10.
However, Dirtbags replica jerseys would be great. Even the LBSU golf shirts would be cool.
Look at the success of minor-league, team gear sales. The popularity can be seen on the backs and heads of students across campus.
There is also a market for the less popular college sport jerseys. I saw someone wearing a Notre Dame hockey jersey Ð enough said.
The Dirtbags were the first at LBSU to start marketing its products. The team sells its replica team hats in the University Bookstore. The team also has a store in corporation with the 49er Shops. Its sole purpose is to sell LBSU baseball paraphernalia at Blair Field.
49er Shops holds the rights to all of the school's logos, and it makes sure that the designs do not end up on anything that would shed a bad light on LBSU.
The idea of selling replica jerseys and various official 49er garb, may sound somewhat strange, but it is another way for Long Beach State to market itself as a Division I sports school.
The only thing that would make this idea a little better is if we could market the active players uniforms.
Think about it, last year, The Pyramid would have been filled with a bunch of James Cotton jerseys. This year there would probably be a lot of little girls clad in Misty May volleyball jersey's running around The 'Mid.
NCAA regulations forbid the marketing of college players.
Maybe it's time for regulations to change.