Ice Hockey Merchandise Has A Presence

Equally frustrated by the lack of women's ice hockey apparel, that didn't resemble oversized menswear, was the catalyst for two sister-in-laws, Cindy and Lori Nickerson, to introduce She Plays Hockey, a clothing line devoted to women and girls who play hockey. "Girls that play hockey are girls, not boys and we have our own attitude toward it" says Cindy Nickerson.

According to hockeycanada.ca, females are embracing the sport with increased participation and unparalleled growth. Likewise in the states, NCAA women's ice hockey teams have steadily risen year after year. It being a Winter Olympics year, the excitement of the games is sure to peak interest with fans across the world and translate into new fans of women's hockey apparel.

She Plays Hockey has created an alternative to male dominated clothing. Pink and baby blue hues are offered, as well as traditional colors and their gear ranges from adult and youth apparel and headwear to undergarments and accessories. Frankly, there is just too much to list here. A trip to the website will give you a firsthand look at the merchandise possibilities and some of their catchy female inspired hockey phrases such as, "Sugar and Spice, but not on the ice" or their more passionate expressions "Peace Love Hockey" or "Spirited Gutsy Authentic". You'll find a full array of casual hockey items perfect for outside the rink.

The website is easy to navigate and extremely user friendly. Although located in Canada, the purchasing process features simple and pain free order placement to the United States. She Plays Hockey encompasses an intimate feel. They welcome your thoughts and ideas and invite your feedback on new products. Be sure to take a look, it's worth your time.

Look for these and other apparel items at www.sheplayshockey.com

Tickled Pink

Pink dresses,...pink ties,...shirts, wristbands even whistles. No, it's not a Mary Kay convention, it's the WBCA Pink Zone. Teams all over the country will change out their traditional school colors for pink jerseys in support of the WBCA's initiative which is a global, unified effort for the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The week set aside for this years initiative is February 12-21 which coincides with ESPN's February Frenzy/Rivalry Week.

The WBCA began the WBCA Pink Zone, formerly known as "Think Pink" in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses and communities. The late Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, served as the catalyst for the initiative after her third recurrence of breast cancer in 2006.

On Valentine's Day, February 14th, I attended the Georgia vs. Alabama women's basketball game and witnessed the spectacle of pink first hand. You can add to your collection of gear from the WBCA Pink Zone Concept Shop. Basketballs, signage, mouthpieces and many products in between are offered to build an individuals own personal stash or an organization wanting to make a Pink Zone event successful. You can also check out merchandise offered for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund concept shop. Included in this shop is the Nike Kay Yow collection offering footwear, apparel and equipment. In addition, books, jewelry, throws and the "When Life Kicks You" Collection from the late Kay Yow, round out a host of products available. A portion of all sales benefit the Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Fund.

Breast cancer and the color pink is not new. We are all familiar with the month of October being recognized as breast health awareness. We are also familiar with organizations like the NFL and some of it's high profile players wearing pink cleats, shoelaces or wristbands to draw attention to the cause. But nothing quite draws attention like some of these collegiate programs taking it a step further and completely cladding themselves head to toe with pink for a day. It's a marvelous sight!

Being a woman and an athlete it's especially satisfying. Almost all of us know personally or indirectly someone diagnosed,...fighting the disease,...recovering or someone who has lost the battle of breast cancer. It would be nice to see the WBCA Pink Zone initiative continue and crossover into other venues. How about volleyball players using a pink net? Soccer athletes playing with a pink ball? Softball outfitting themselves with pink bats and visors, pink lacrosse and field hockey sticks? How about gymnastic equipment pink for a day? Pink pucks? Pink hurdles? The possibilities are endless. It can be pink overload but if it's done over a two week period, a week in October and one in February, it just might help ease the overwhelming and possibly annoying pink overkill. I'm in! I welcome a break from the norm. I believe athletic endeavors should be tailored to the fans as well as the participants why stick completely to the same blueprints everybody else is doing. Add originality! Make the games relevant to the audience, perhaps it will gain new fans as well.

The WBCA Pink Zone initiative runs through February 21, so there is still time to catch a game in your area. If you miss it this year be sure and don your pink in support of this cause for 2011.

Be sure and access the photo gallery below for more pictures of this fantastic day!
Photo Gallery: Women's Basketball vs. Alabama (2/14/10) - Official Athletics Site of the University of Georgia Bulldogs

Are You Holding On To Your Throwbacks

I love throwbacks! I love what throwbacks stand for,...the history,...the stories. Throwbacks are variations on a sports teams uniforms styled to resemble uniforms from that teams past. They were first promoted in the 1980's with baseball. They have proven popular in all major pro sports in the U.S. Mitchell and Ness is the premier provider of nostalgic apparel for the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NCAA. They offer jerseys, jackets, tees, hats and hoodies. I never thought about it quite like this but my closet is full of throwbacks from a women's sports era gone by. Every piece of licensed apparel I own belongs to a team or league that is no longer active. Chances are you too have hanging in your closet or folded neatly on a shelf or placed in a drawer a throwback from a WNBA team moved or disbanded. Maybe you recall when Portland, Oregon held two basketball franchises, the ABL Portland Power and the WNBA Portland Fire. Are you into soccer? Perhaps you kept a Carolina Courage tee or cap. For you pro softball fans, did you hold on to anything from the WPSL? Volleyball fans, did they even offer merchandise for the short lived National Volleyball Association?

Even today we are hearing about the disbanding of not only the Los Angeles Sol soccer team of the WPS, but also a staple in the WNBA's historical database has closed it's doors. No longer will there be a Sacramento Monarchs franchise. (I officially took my Monarchs sweatshirt out of circulation). No more free advertising for the Charlotte Sting (I have a lot of apparel, I was once a season ticket holder). No ABL, no WPSL Akron Racers and heaven forbid, the first 4 championships ever won in the WNBA by the Houston Comets is forever just a memory. All my gear is officially retired and put into limited or suspended wearing rotation. There is not a replacement for these articles, once they are worn out they are gone forever. I just can't take a chance of losing history altogether.

I'll tell you what my dream is,...
Mitchell and Ness (or someone else) would understand the importance of women's sports teams and leagues of the past and begins to offer authentic throwbacks of the various sports and era's. I would personally like to have a throwback of Nancy Lieberman's, Dallas Diamond jersey or a Cheryl Miller USC jersey. Unfortunately I never purchased a Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets jersey or a Mia Hamm jersey,...I'd like to add that to my collection. I could go on, there are more I would like to own but it just makes me sad to know I may never get the opportunity.

I'll cherish the apparel I do have and work on my collection for the future. There is Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch jerseys to explore as well as the new faces of soccer. You never know when the next team or league will dismantle. If it does at least you'll have your piece of women's history.

Atlanta Xplosion on Facebook

The Atlanta Xplosion need your help. They need your support to grow the Atlanta Xplosion Women's Football Team Fan Page!

Here is what you need to do:
#1 Login to FaceBook.
#2 Search for: Atlanta Xplosion Women's Football and you will see the Fan page.
#3 Become a Fan and suggest their FAN page to all of your friends!
#4 Visit the Photo Gallery that is organized by years and add any photos that you have!

The page will be used to promote games, have open forum discussions and communicate the happenings of the Atlanta Xplosion Women's Football Team to their fans!

Help them get 10K fans by the first game in April!

Thanks for your support of the Xplosion and women's athletics in general!

If A Pictures Worth A Thousand Words...

Sports memorabilia stirs unique feelings of spirit, happiness and closeness to your team or favorite athlete. A picture is worth a thousand words...
This saying holds true, especially in athletics. I possess a small collection of photographic memorabilia, none more prized than photos taken at N.C.State during a regular season game (1989) versus a feisty Stanford Cardinal team which featured, Jennifer Azzi and Val Whiting among others. I have fond memories of the many games I have attended but I'm no photographer. Most times I'm not in close proximity to take a really good picture nor do I own a high powered camera lense to capture those far off golden moments. You can rest assured a solution is available.
Replay Photos, an exclusive athletic and campus photography site, takes the work out of taking high quality action shots of your favorite athletes, teams, sports and campus landmarks. Products start at $15.95. The site is easy to navigate and it allows you to get started by choosing a store. Stores happen to be a particular college or university and they are broken down into different categories, sports, stadiums, traditions, campus and more. The site offers:

Personalized Gifts
Your name or unique message on select school photos
Custom Framed Photos
Replay Peels (think fathead)
Limited collection of mascots, players, stadiums & coaches
Panoramic Photos
Canvas Gallery Wraps

Also:
NFL Photo Store
SI Collection
SI Covers and Photos straight from the vault
Gift Certificates

Replay Photos work with colleges across the nation to scour their archives for their best photographs, digitally restore them if necessary and categorize them for easy viewing. When asked about photos which date back a few years the response given was this, "if we do not have what you're looking for, on our website, we would be glad to put in a request with the school to see if they would have it available".

This is a great concept and an excellent way to collect memorabilia of your favorite NFL or NCAA schools, players or teams. When you access the site be prepared to lose time just browsing the many offerings. With photographs so vivid and action oriented you can be sure you are getting a prized piece to start or add to your own collection.

Naming Practices of Women's Sports Teams

A recent post on the Womentalksports network by Fair Game News, titled Six Troubled Trends in Women's Sports (and what we can do), offered a look at six trends to concentrate on in the fight for equality in women's athletics. The fourth trend listed was particularly intriguing. It called out the naming practices of women's team nicknames. It cited the use of the prefix "Lady" (ex. Lady Bears) as a way to create, enforce and publicize women's teams as a second class status. In 2008, a sociology professor, Cynthia Fabrizio Pelak, published a report focusing on 249 schools, in 9 southern states and found that 69.5 percent of schools employed what she coded as a sexist form of naming. Most consisted of the "Lady" prefix which Pelak explains is sexist because it "imparts a tone of frivolity and lightness to the strivings and accomplishments of women."

Do women's sport team names invoke a trivial or frivolous value? Is this thinking only limited to the southern states? How does the rest of the 41 states play into these naming practices. What is the sentiment of the general public in regards to "frivolity of women's athletic accomplishments"?

Please participate in this survey, Naming Practices of Women's Athletic Teams, which is geared to collect the populations opinion on whether or not using the term "Lady" or "ettes" is demeaning to women's sports. It is not the intention of the survey to delve into gender equality or fairness of athletic programs across the country and their financial allocations to male sports and female sports. This survey strictly measures the opinion of the public on their feelings about using the "Lady" term. The survey asks only a few simple questions. It is open for submissions now and will close on February 28, 2010. The findings will be published soon thereafter. You can subscribe to this feed to ensure you will get the results or simply bookmark this site and check back. In order to get a good representation of the population feel free to pass the survey link along. Male or female, athletes as well as non sports fans are encouraged to take part. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Are You Ready For Some Football!

The Superbowl is around the corner, the grand prize for the National Football League. With the NFL season coming to an end, it signals the start of another. Currently all around the country open tryouts are being held for the Independent Women's Football League, a full contact women's tackle football league which fields teams all over the United States.

I made a resolution for 2010, to support women's athletics and promote them as much as possible. Included in that resolution was to see for the first time a women's professional football game. I got a preview of that when I was allowed to observe the open tryouts in Atlanta up close, for the Atlanta Xplosion. The Xplosion have been around since 2003 finishing it's first season with a 9-1 record. The brightest moment thus far has been a National Championship in 2006.

So on a rainy day, in a sterile and cold concrete warehouse filled with weight equipment, tumbling mats and a 50 yard field, about 40 plus ladies were put through the paces. I had no real expectations for what I would see. So, before going I pondered... what would I really like to know about women playing football? Who are they? Why do they play? What's their background? I am no stranger to women participating in sports, I am one,... but football? Having to endure bone shaking hit after hit for no pay (they are not compensated) is not on my bucket list. I love to watch it, but wouldn't want to experience it. So again, who are they?...career women, wives and mothers, motivated by the love of the game for some and the call of mid-life crisis for one. For her 45th birthday last year, Patricia, a consultant in the wireless industry, contemplated a bike ride across the country or trying out for the Xplosion. She became a 45 year old football rookie. Now she is a veteran with this years squad. Denise, 23, is a former track and field athlete who used to practice with the boys football team (her mom wouldn't let her play).

Once on the practice field the players prevailed through sprints, drills and more. Numerous times throughout the day they chanted "tick...tick...Boom!" It is symbolic for the countdown of an explosion for one, but also a battle cry, with meaning, for the team. Their head coach, a former NFL player, who stresses character, explained, the first tick means, "toughness identifies character" and the second tick is "teamwork with intensity wins championships". Both toughness and teamwork were tested as they continued their grueling workout. Veterans were eager to teach the rookies technique and quick to encourage their new teammates. It's a good chance all who came will make the roster. They usually suit up 45 players for a game. Injuries are a big part of any athletic team, football being no exception. I spoke to a member of last years squad who tore her ACL and asked what she missed most about the game? Her response, "I miss hitting people." Another was waiting for her doctor's clearance in order to lace up the cleats and play again. Her enthusiasm on the sidelines was infectious!

They have names like "Juice" and "Smooth". They have hardware, a championship ring from the 2006 season and they have knowledge. Because they play, many of the ladies speak about seeing the game differently. They read defenses, recognize formations and some even correct their sons little league coaches. It's a sisterhood and a bond. They are linked by a common denominator. Regardless the background, regardless the story, one thing that unites this group of varying ages and skill sets is the "passion for the game." I was proud of what I saw! I can't explain why. I left the tryouts speechless, amazed and stoked. I've bookmarked the Xplosion website, printed out the schedule and circled my first game date. All that is left, is the wait.

Tick...Tick...Tick...

2009 NCCS National Flag Football Championships

I consider myself a sports nut having grown up with a father who constantly watched sports year round. So, I have to feel a bit embarrassed that I was not aware of the athletes participating in the 2009 National Campus Championship Series (NCCS) National Flag Football Championships, sponsored by Powerade. This event was held on a chilly, University of South Florida campus in Tampa on January 3-5, 2010. Men's, women's and co-rec flag football teams from across the nation competed in this 3-day tournament. CBS College Sports Network aired the women's and men's championship games on January 10th.

They have team names, "Simply Marvelous" and "Allstars" and these athletic women battled the elements and each other, running and passing their way to a victory. The look of intensity on the faces of the competitors, gave you a feel for the passion and determination these players possess. They played hard, represented their institutions and represented women athletes everywhere.

The Florida A&M University squad, winners of this NCCS event in 2007 secured another national title against the host school, the University of South Florida, with a score of 14-13. The women's all-tournament team awards were as follows:

MVP-Ruby Nugent-FAMU
Tynequia Roberts-FAMU
Asia Evans-FAMU
K.K. Matheny-USF
Bryn Renda-USF
Chandree Hunter-Old Dominion
Danielle Low-Angelo State University
Marcia Walker-Univ. of Central Arkansas

You can catch video highlights and photos on the CBS/Powerade site. You'll also be able to find info on it's additional sponsored NCCS event, basketball, which concludes play at Vanderbilt, April 9-11, 2010. For information about the 2010 NCCS Regional and National Basketball Championships visit their link.

See if the FAMU "Simply Marvelous" squad can repeat as national champions. For more information on the 2010 flag football campaign click here.

Deja Vu

In the past, I have been dubbed a pack rat, a badge I proudly wear. I have gotten better about tossing out damaged or hardly used items, although I did release from my possession, my longtime, homemade collection of VHS recordings. The contents of these recordings were the 2000, 2004 women's Olympic events in basketball, volleyball and softball. Also included were a few choice games from the defunct ABL, the Sylvia Crawley blindfold dunk during the All-star dunk contest and a splattering of other ABL games. I also relieved myself of some dated NCAA gems. The 1989 game between Vicky Bulletts, Maryland Terrapins and the Texas Longhorns. The Dawn Staley led University of Virginia Cavaliers when they made a run at the National Championship in 1991. As I regret spring cleaning these choice mementos, I can take comfort in knowing all is not completely lost.

The NCAA has a site, NCAA On Demand, which allows you to purchase a dvd copy of past games. The dvd's are divided into sport categories. All sports offer division I,II and III championship games, matches or highlights. The games date back, for some, as far as 1982 and run to the present. Although the site is large, it is very user friendly. The capability to go directly to a specific game is a time conscious plus. You can search the dvd collection three ways. Browse games by sport categories, or search by school or search by year. In many cases box sets are offered. With over 1,700 women's specific dvd's available there are endless possibilities and you are sure to find classic match-ups from both past pioneers and personalities of today.

I must say my eyes lit up in wonderment at the thought of owning a super library of the greatest moments in women's NCAA sports history. I love it! After all, I am, a pack rat.

A New Year's Resolution

The holidays are over and the new year is here. If you are like me, I always take stock of my mismanaged resolutions of the past and begin fresh every first of the year. It's funny, the older I get, the better I do following through with my new year's declarations. Perhaps I pick a purpose that I am more apt to keep which allows me to have a greater success rate. So as I contemplate the things in my life to change or improve I check off the basics; family, spiritual life, friends, finances and to this list I add a new one. Although I have in the past been a supporter of all types of women's athletic events, I resolve to truly step it up and aid in it's prosperity. My assistance will come in the form of attendance, blogs, tweets, word of mouth and any other advertising avenues I can use. Attending collegiate or professional sporting events is not only accessible and inexpensive, but in some cases, it's free! Give the athletes of today some of your time. Will you join me in my pursuit to double my output from the past year? If you attended one event last year, attend two this year. Vow to assist for success your local colleges, universities and professional squads in 2010. I have already circled a few dates on the calendar including what will be two firsts for me. I will witness my first professional soccer match and women's professional football game. Of course my existence there will not be complete without purchasing licensed apparel. I will be sure to blog about my apparel choices and include pictures, so look for that in the future.

Happy New Year and see you at the games!

Where Do They Go?

As I watched Penn State come back from sure death to defeat the Lady Longhorns of Texas in the NCAA Volleyball Championships, I couldn't help but be amazed! Texas seemed to be in command and with the momentum theirs going into intermission it was not looking favorable to see a continuation of the longest winning streak in the NCAA stay intact. Well, you know the rest, Penn State did what only two other volleyball teams had ever done, come back from an 0-2 deficit to win the National Championship.

With 12,000 plus in attendance, 20 plus players and coaches representing each team, you have to ask yourself, "where do they go?" I realize 12,000 fans is probably not the norm for attendance to a regular season game, but is it enough to tell you the interest is there? There is an excellent product being put on the court and some very interesting and lovable characters to get to know. So I ask again, "where do they go?" For the fans, do you switch your allegiance to some other sport for the winter or go home and wait for the next volleyball season? For the players, do you finish your senior year, graduate and enter the real world? Do you play in overseas leagues? Do you go into coaching? I don't know. All I know is I don't want it to end. I have been a consistent fan of NCAA volleyball for some time. I always make it a point to catch the women's U.S. National team play because this is my only opportunity to see some old faces and relive their talent. But, I'm selfish, I want to be able to see these heroines of the court more often. I know there have been a few attempts to produce a women's professional volleyball league with no positive outcome. What is it going to take? When will I get to see Destinee Hooker leap 10' in the air for a kill! How about a return to the power swing of Kim Willoughby or the concentrating eyes of Logan Tom. Is there no fix for my habit? Am I a junkie with no drug?

2012, I'm waiting.....!

Two examples of websites done right

In looking for women's licensed merchandise there are a few categories we need to establish. The collegiate market, professional market and the last one we'll categorize as Independent. This could be, but is not limited to, U.S. National (Olympic) teams, international markets and athlete created signature apparel.

There are numerous companies and individuals readily available to peddle there goods, so I've decided to spoon feed you the sites a little at a time. Some sites you may be very familiar with while others you may not have heard about. I'll give you a synopsis of it's offerings and rank them.

Who can overlook the multitude of merchandise offered by the WNBA store. They supply replica jerseys, t-shirts, tank shirts, polos, jackets, hats, bags, WNBA logo gear and trading cards. They offer a WNBA player collection which allows you to select a player from a list of 20 and view and purchase products bearing their name and number.

My personal favorite is the "custom shop" which lets you create your own custom tee, jersey or fleece. A very simple 3 step process allows you to choose a team, a color and multiple logos for the front, back or sides. In addition you can add your name and number or leave it blank. What's best is that you immediately see what your product will look like with it's rotating image system and it's instantaneous pricing. A review and purchase step finishes the process and the item is created and ships within 3-4 weeks.

The entire website is very user friendly with a variety of merchandise. Teams and players come and go providing a constant flow of new wares. It is a wonderful representation of the WNBA and truly it is One Store, Every Team!


Another very well done website in both design and ease of use, as well as products offered is Softball Outlet. Although the collegiate teams offered are limited, it does include the top softball programs in the past years.

The store is divided into categories:
USA Softball Apparel
USA Softball Collectibles
ASA Hall of Fame Gift Shop
Video Publications Software
Officially Licensed College Merchandise
Youth & Babies
Clearance Sale

Amongst these categories you can find visors, caps, beanies, stocking caps, hoodies, sweatshirts, polos, sleepwear and t-shirts. Also available are mini keychains, replica jerseys, replica Olympic jerseys, magnets, pennants, banners, flags, mugs, license plates, softballs, window decals, photographs, jewelry & accessories, headbands, pins, backpacks, bumper stickers, blankets, trading cards and signature apparel from players.

It is a great site to satisfy your need to own collegiate licensed apparel and Olympic gear. I certainly rank this one among the top sites.

Vision Quest

As a kid one Christmas I received a two toned Pittsburgh Steeler letterman jacket. I wore it everyday and everywhere for the next two winters. I felt great pride for my team and sporting this coat was an extension of my support and loyalty to them. Years later, many years later, my mother pulled that jacket out of storage and though it was matted, smelly and small, the feelings I had as a kid for that jacket and that team came crashing back. It was love!

I guess even though I've grown up now I still search for that piece of merchandise that brings me back to why I take pride in the team, leagues or individuals I support. Even though there are hundreds of Steeler merchandise examples readily available it doesn't reflect where my heart is now.

I've spent the better part of my life as an athlete. The remaining time I have, I will spend as a spectator and supporter of women's athletics. I am currently grooming my soon-to-be three year old daughter to enjoy, appreciate and fulfill a lifelong dream...Olympic Glory! OK, maybe I'm reaching on that one, but you get the pride I have for women's sports. I want to show the world my pride by cladding myself with sweatshirts, caps, t-shirts, beanies and maybe...someday...a letterman jacket. I have taken on a labor of love to find all the licensed and unique women's athletic merchandise available and it's my pleasure to share my findings with other people who feel the same passion for women's sports like me.

In the collegiate realm there are lots of ways to pull for the University of Georgia, but sometimes I just want to pull for the Lady Bulldogs softball team or Baylor Lady Bears basketball or the Lady Tarheel soccer squad. This selfish attitude has thrust me in a quest to find who else thinks like me. Am I alone, I don't think so?