How Wooter Apparel Is Using 2019 To Influence The Future Of Sports Jersey Design In 2020
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In 2019, Wooter Apparel was instrumental in creating apparel for boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and his celebrity and charity basketball game that took place at the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, as Mayweather and Boom Cups presented the 2019 Celebrity Pro Bowl Showdown benefitting the Chris Johnson Foundation and D-Up On Cancer.
When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, Wooter Apparel is a brand that will be the first to speak up and declare how their past goals and aspirations have become the blueprint to influencing the future of sports jersey design and creation in 2020.
Paving the way for a new decade full of unique, colorful, and quality apparel designs is just the start when it comes to sublimation printing and Wooter continuing to leave their mark within the sports apparel industry. That passion is followed closely by the strong desire to make a lasting impact within sports communities —both in the United States and around the globe — by giving back around the game.
Looking back over the course of 2019, it’s clear that Wooter Apparel has struck the perfect balance between creation and care by teaming-up with sports teams, leagues, and non-profit organizations.
The two factors of creation and care have not only helped fuel the drive since the company launched five years ago in Staten Island but now becomes a vision board for how to proceed with purpose as a global brand in 2020…
Back in November in San Diego, California, Wooter Apparel partnered with NFL Alumni to create and customize the sublimated jerseys for the USA vs. Mexico Championship youth football game presented by NFL Leagues United and the NFL Alumni chapter in San Diego.
“It amazed me to see the unity sports can create. The Mexico teams came over the border that morning for the games and all of the kids were blown away by the Wooter Apparel jersey. Next football season we will be providing jerseys for youth sports teams around the country in NFL markets. Wooter is ahead of their time in the international design and manufacturing world, I am happy with this partnership.” — Charlie Boots, Director of Branding with the NFL Alumni
SacTown Chaos head coach and founder, Ignacio Hernandez, launched his grassroots basketball team three years ago and developed a brand relationship with Wooter Apparel that allowed the Sacramento, California based hoops program to standout as an upstart travel squad.
“I was looking for quality apparel by a company that was about more than just uniforms. I really like that Wooter sponsors a wide range of tournaments and events. There is also an edge to Wooter Apparel that I like — Chaos was daring enough to start from scratch with the goal of making a name for ourselves and I see Wooter Apparel doing the same thing. And everyone loves our uniforms...Wooter also invests in the youth, which I really like.” — Ignacio Hernandez, SacTown Chaos basketball head coach and Founder
Wooter Apparel proudly customized colorful youth football uniforms for two teams competing in the Southern Louisiana Youth Football Association this season — the Galvez Tigers and Walker Renegades — who went head-to-head on the gridiron in 2019.
“It was such a blessing to team-up with Wooter Apparel this year. The quality and customer service was unparalleled by anyone we have used before and we can’t thank Wooter enough for all of their help, support, and being a brand to grow and connect with. The kids loved the jerseys and the sewn on letters and numbers, just like their favorite high school and college teams. The biggest hit, however, were the Wooter undershirts that they can wear on game day or any day. A lot of kids wear them around daily and anytime they have a jersey day at school, the majority of them choose to wear those over any LSU or New Orleans Saints jersey they may have. I have never seen so many smiles from kids as when they got their jerseys and uniforms (the parents were also very pleased with the quality of them too).” — T.J. Battles, Team President of the Galvez Tigers
The Basketball Beauties League tipped-off in 2016 as a spring board for female basketball players to be both recognized and respected around the game. During the summer of 2019, the BBL competed on courts from Los Angeles with the Venice Basketball League, to New York in Harlem at the famed Rucker Park with the Entertainers Basketball League, all while creating their own uniforms and apparel line with Wooter Apparel.
“Looks are everything when drawing attention to what you are doing, so partnering with Wooter to create a more professional look is huge for us. In addition, the ladies love them and the material is amazing. The goal is to expand to all major cities and be able to grow women’s basketball at the BBL all over the world. This is just the start of more good things to come!” — Chriselle “Kookie” Taloma, Basketball Beauties League guard and BBL Commissioner
A former Sacramento State basketball standout and pro guard, Haron Hargrave has grown Ballin’ 4 Peace over the last five years into a non-profit organization by raising awareness about violence within New York through hosting a series of sports and community charity events with Wooter Apparel designing and creating all jerseys and uniforms for Ballin’ 4 Peace.
“Ever since launching B4P back in 2015, the goal was to spread peace through sports in hopes of giving back to our communities and thanks to outstanding companies and brands like Wooter Apparel, K-Mart, Essentia Water, Snaps NYC, and everyone at Bowlmor Lanes, we are able to make this a very Merry Christmas with our toy drive and bowling tournament. Knowing this is all for a good cause — the chance to make these toy donations and support the work being done at Children’s Aid NYC — that’s what it’s all about when putting on a Ballin’ 4 Peace event like this with Wooter Apparel.” — Ballin’ 4 Peace Founder, Haron Hargrave
In 2019, Wooter Africa began their third basketball season by officially become a non-profit organization in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with players, coaches, and officials all rocking Wooter Apparel inspired by the colors of East Africa.
“We've been growing our basketball program in Tanzania over the last three years, all funded by Wooter, and reaching thousands of kids. Basic things such as enjoying the beautiful game of basketball are not easily available. Our goal is to change the lives of the youth through sports. After today, we're able to take Wooter Africa to the next level by working directly with the local government and getting support from people who believe in what we're doing. Stay tuned for some big news coming soon and throughout the upcoming third season of Wooter Africa.” — Wooter CEO, Alex Aleksandrovski
A native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Indiana University, Tony Leach is heavily rooted in the game of basketball throughout Indiana and the Midwest. In teaming-up with Wooter Apparel, he has been influential in shaping and building young athletes to become better players and people through the Prep Ball Stars, the Prep Ball Stars Midwest Challenge, and the Prep Ball Stars Combine Series.
“When it comes to partnering with Wooter Apparel, my goal is to make Prep Ball Stars a BRAND, and one of the best ways to do that is to have consumers wearing that product. What I appreciate the most about Wooter is the design flexibility. They have brought my designs to life and have even added some flavor of their own. It just shows if you have a vision for something, believe in it and are willing to work harder than anyone else to see it through, it can happen. We are on our way.” — Tony Leach, Prep Ball Stars Founder
2019 was the year of the big give back for Wooter as the company pledged $2.5M over the next three years towards donations and sponsorships for sports programs all over the world, with Wooter Apparel outfitting non-profit organizations like the Pigskin Patriots, which was created by former NFL player and current Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver coach, Chad Hall.
“We are grateful and blessed to be in a position to give back. I am looking forward to being more involved in this mission as we continue to grow and make a bigger impact on youth sports for years to come (with organizations like Pigskin Patriots and Smush Parker Elite). Pledging $2.5M over these next three years through our sponsorship programs around the world will help these young kids improve and develop within their respective sport, and as an individual as well.” — Wooter Co-Founder and COO, David Kleyman
After beginning with the Urban Impact Foundation as a summer day camp counselor in North Pittsburgh, Rocky Higgins has led the basketball program with a servants heart as th Program Leader while connecting with Wooter Apparel to provide customized jerseys and uniforms for the whole team.
“The partnership with Wooter has been fantastic. Every tournament we are in, multiple people are coming and talking to us about our jerseys. To be honest, I had no plan or method for finding Wooter or jersey sponsor. All I knew was our kids deserved something special to put on each game. I came across Wooter, put in a request, and before the day was over, we had a partnership. Wooter gave our kids the opportunity to rock something fresh and bring attention to a great company that others may never heard of.” — Rocky Higgins, basketball coach and Program Director at Urban Impact Foundation
Dressed in custom made basketball uniforms from Wooter Apparel, Master P hosted his annual celebrity and charity basketball game at the 2019 Essence Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana for the third-straight year in hopes of shining a focus on giving back around the Big Easy.
"This is where we're from. So it's so important. God's blessed me where I could come back and help out the community. Help the kids out. This game is called "Balling for a Cause." It's about the next generation helping them with education. I just love all the people that came out and showed-out, had a lot of fun. This is a family event and it gets bigger and bigger every year." — Hip-Hop icon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Master P
For the second straight year, Wooter Apparel was the jersey and uniform sponsor for the Brunson League in Baltimore, which has become the premiere summer league for current pro basketball players like Aquille Carr, Donte Green, and Malcolm Delaney of 2019 Brunson League champions, FOE.
“Shooting games at the Brunson League is a pleasure because being able to be on the court and to talk to the professional basketball players is an honor. Some people think that NBA guys are stuck up and all of that but the ones I met (Will Barton, the Grant Brothers, and many more) have all been good dudes and have had conversations with me about basketball in general. The Brunson League is just a different kind of basketball.” — Photographer, Brunson League loyalist, and Penn State York guard, Joey O’Dwyer
Prior to hosting the Ballin’ 4 Peace Charity Bowling event and also the Ballin’ 4 Peace Charity Flag Football game with the NYPD, Haron Hargrave held the 5th Annual Ballin’ 4 Peace Celebrity Charity Basketball Game at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, with Wooter Apparel customizing jerseys and uniforms for all three B4P events.
“The collaboration has been such a blessing. It’s been really cool to have my own apparel line through Wooter, my kids love the gear and also I love the gear that they have designed and created. I feel that I have had a wonderful impact on Wooter since we started working together and vice versa. I am excited to continue this relationship with Wooter as we grow together. “ — Ballin’ 4 Peace Founder, Haron Hargrave
The BRICK League in Columbus, Ohio is not just another Pro-Am but also a youth league featuring both boys and girls basketball teams who all rock Wooter Apparel on the court thanks to the collaboration between Renny Tyson, Cody Ballard, and Wooter.
“It means a lot for us to partner with Wooter because it brings recognition to our brand. We are the only Pro-Am and youth league that the company sponsors in Ohio and this chance to give back helps us make a true impact in our community. This opportunity gives us a platform to do bigger and better things. It shows us that Wooter believes in us, our brand, and the future of BRICK League.” — BRICK League co-founder and basketball trainer, Cody Ballard
Over the last three years, Wooter Apparel has been privileged with the opportunity to team-up with Balling 4 Lupus and the charity basketball game that helps raise awareness about chronic autoimmune disease.
“It’s important to have a brand like Wooter Apparel who is on a national level to give back to non-profit organizations such as Balling 4 Lupus Foundation because a lot of times the smaller non-profits have to reach into our own personal pockets to make sure that our charity events can happen, so we can continue with the awareness of our causes.” — Balling 4 Lupus Foundation Founder, Bo Talley-Williams
