ODU RETAIL SALES ROAR PAST THE $1 MILLION MARK

For the first time since the inception of Old Dominion University's licensing program in 1985, the university has topped $1 million in annual retail sales of merchandise, ranging from T-shirts and basketball jerseys emblazoned with the Monarch lion logo to specially packaged coffees and teas from First Colony Coffee and Tea Co. Old Dominion's licensing team attributes the retail success to the university's new athletic logos, the increased number of retail outlets, restaurants and grocery stores that carry ODU merchandise, and the greater variety of merchandise now available.

Since the new athletic logos, which feature a fierce lion wearing the ODU crown were unveiled in 2002, ODU's annual retail sales have taken off. "The new logos are popular with everyone," said Ken Gideon, assistant director of licensing. "People want merchandise bearing these great marks."

As of this May 85, retail locations carry Old Dominion merchandise, including a number of restaurants and all 37 Hampton Roads Farm Fresh locations.

ODU's licensing office, headed by Karen Travis, assistant vice president for institutional advancement and director of university events and licensing, moved into the consumable marketplace in 2003, partnering with First Colony Coffee and Tea Co. to create a selection of ODU coffees and teas and Stewart's Kitchen cookies. The licensing staff is now considering adding ODU ice cream and chocolates to its product line.

"The licensing, marketing and athletic departments have developed a tremendous partnership and all three areas have worked tirelessly to improve the ODU merchandise program in a many ways," Travis said.