Football Season Ups Merchandise Fever
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: October 21, 2008
Tech football's undefeated season has a new wave of fans wanting merchandise to show off their support. And local outfitters are rapidly trying to keep up with the demand. Whether you're a life-long fan, or a newly converted Red Raider, local spirit shops say they can't get the shelves re-stocked quickly enough.
Red Raider Outfitters has been selling tech regalia since 1975, and they say this year is probably one of the biggest selling years.
Between the winning streak, and players like Michael Crabtree and Graham Harrel on the Heisman watch list, fans can't get enough of Texas Tech.
Store managers say they are re-ordering merchandise daily. And the demand isn't just here locally -- nationwide, fans want the merch. So much so that the store's internet site crashes nearly every day with purchases from alums, folks catching the games TV, even some newly acquired fans.
But shops say whether you're an old fan, or just now jumping on the bandwagon -- If you're cheering the red and black... No fan goes unwelcomed.
Jennifer Taler, Red Raider Outfitters: "It's bringing on fans, that you know, had no idea. I mean, the games are intense, they're awesome, they've done great numbers for us, they've done great numbers for everyone else, i mean it's just awesome to see people jumping on, and being a part of the university."
Now -- that big 'blackout' game is coming up... the black t-shirts that they're trying to get everyone to wear are on pre-order because of such a high demand.
Taler says they plan on making sure all 60,000 fans have one for the Texas game in two weeks.
