Testimonials

  • All That Jas & Graham Sporting Goods

    "I had a lot to learn coming from a career in criminal law when I became the new owner of an established store. This group has been invaluable to me. They have been such phenomenal support for questions, problem solving and even helping with shortage on products. We were recently short on some fabric that was backordered for a large group order and one of the members shipped us the additional yard of fabric we needed. This group has also helped me navigate and have confidence to transition into new technology and collegiate licensing which the previous owner did not do. One of the easiest decisions I've made as a business owner thus far!"

    Caitlin Brooks - Owner

  • Campus Connection

    “University Spirit has been an invaluable resource for staying connected with independent collegiate retailers who face the same challenges and opportunities we do. Whether it’s navigating licensing requirements, sourcing vendors, employee issues, or adapting to e-commerce changes, the network and knowledge sharing within USA makes a real difference for a store like ours.”

    Dave Cariello - Owner

  • Campus Emporium

    "University Spirit is one big family. We laugh, we cry, we share successes and failures. We all have a similar drive to see our stores succeed. Bringing back ideas from others to the store is a great driving/pick up force when you get bogged down. We love our University Spirit Family."

    Thomas Buckley - Manager

  • Chris' University Spirit

    "I think the biggest value of the University Spirit Association is our network of sharing. I gain so much from the annual meetings atteneded and I am able to bring that knowledge back into my own store; and that alone pays huge dividends in our business. We are not only just a trade organization, but also a network of resources and a bond of friendships that will last a lifetime. I am forever grateful for this organization and what it provides for our business."

    Dustin MacDonald - Owner

  • Marked Promotions (formerly Unique Impressions)

    "There is simply no way I would have thrived in business for almost 40 years without membership in University Spirit. If it solely provided help with trend-spotting far ahead of the curve, or unique and timely product sourcing, those alone would be worth their weight in gold. But University Spirit is so much more. It's a family. People to lean on who understand, when business ownership feels like a lonely solo adventure. Members serve as a sounding board on everything from marketing to staff issues, from design inspiration to best practices. In an industry where it's far too common to white-knuckle our way to the end of a crazy week, every week, it's imperative to have a secret weapon. University Spirit is that, and so much more."

    Donna O'Dell Hoke - Owner

  • Mincer's University of Virginia Imprinted Sportswear

    "From a business perspective, every time we get the chance to touch base with USA we come back to Charlottesville with several new style ideas. These products we’ve found generate thousands of dollars, more than offsetting any and all costs associated with USA participation and meetings. From a personal perspective, USA meetings are a chance to hang out with friends and brainstorm over shared issues. No one in the world understands the day-to-day issues I face owning a local university retail store like my USA friends do and it’s been extremely helpful to bounce ideas around with them and find new ways to approach challenges. And sometimes, there’s no great solution, but the commiseration with someone stuck at the same barrier is equally comforting."

    Calvin Mincer - President

  • Southern Exchange Company

    “Our University Spirit family is an amazing source of knowledge, insight, and advice from like-minded folks with a variety of backgrounds and types of stores. The one thing we all have in common is a passion for what we do and that comes through every time we get together. I always learn something new. The added bonus is that this group is truly a family and we all love spending time with each other.”

    William Martin - Owner

  • The Spirit Shoppe

    "University Spirit is much more than a business group—it's a community of dedicated entrepreneurs who genuinely want to see each other succeed. The willingness to share ideas, business challenges, and solutions has helped us grow in ways we couldn't have achieved on our own. Whether it's custom printing, university retail, or navigating industry changes, University Spirit provides a trusted network of experts and friends that we can always count on. Not only is this group a great business resource, but an incredible group of friends who just “get it.” "

    Emily and Caty - Co Owners

  • The Trunk

    "I personally don't think we would have been as successfull as we have been without the University Spirit family. The shared knowledge and advice that is given to each other is priceless. Not only do we lean on each other, we sure do have a lot of fun when we are together!"

    Ginny Sain - Owner

  • Tiger Spirit

    "Professional organizations such as the University Spirit Association help bring together like-minded individuals for a common purpose. Groups such as these are only as strong as their members and, if leveraged appropriately and intentionally, serve as a sounding board that can assist in achieving the goal of succeeding in a competitive environment. Shared experiences can be invaluable to achieving success in an ever changing market."

    John Grandt - Owner

  • University Book Exchange (U.B.E.)

    "The University Spirit Group is a family. There are so few of us Independent / Private stores and I am so glad they found us one day at Sports Tailgate. I was immediately interested in joining and haven't regretted a single moment. This group is truly Energizing!"

    Yvonne Perry - General Manager

  • University Spirit Athens

    "University Spirit of America has always been a family to us, as we grew up with this group when our parents were running the business. This family of ours consists of knowledgeable people who have a shared passion for their business and a collection of expertise and experience that is unparalleled in this industry. It's a safe space to share ideas and concerns, as we all want each other to succeed and continually offer advice or new ideas to each other. I can't imagine running our store without the support and friendships we've acquired over the years."

    Kyle and Laura - Owners