Union University announced the grand opening of the Bulldog Store, an online apparel and accessories store, at the end of last week.
After the closing of LifeWay, which contained the on-campus book and apparel store, students, parents and alumni were left without a way to purchase Union gear. A team of Union staff met to consider the options moving forward. Scott Heit, assistant vice president for university communications, and Tommy Sadler, director of athletics, ultimately headed up the project.
The new site is a partnership with BSN, the university’s apparel provider. Anyone can access the site through Union’s website and can customize a wide selection of apparel and accessories. Customization includes options between brands, logos, titles such as “Union Dad” and “Union Grandpa,” student clubs and academic departments and even a name and number on the back of apparel.
While the LifeWay store was a convenient option for students on campus, the range of options was far more limited than what is now offered through the Bulldog Store.
Another benefit of the online shop is that orders are delivered to alumni, prospective students and anyone else who may not live near campus.
“I’ve heard a lot of alumni and people say they wish they had a way to get Union gear,” said Sadler. “The good [thing] about it is now they can ship it straight to your home.”
While there is talk of an on-campus store in the future, opening the online store was the fastest and most feasible option to provide gear to customers now.
“I think the ultimate goal is to have an on-campus brick-and-mortar bookstore that will offer the spirit wear,” said Heit. “We have been talking about an interim plan, but nothing is set in stone. This was the best solution for now.”
The Bulldog Store can be accessed at uuathletics.com/store, and shoppers can receive 25 percent off their purchases through March 20 with the code GRANDOPENING20.
Photo courtesy of Union University
