Wednesday we were at the “eRUPPtion Zone” in Kentucky for the 9th stop on the Original Retro Brand “I Love College Hoops” Student Section Journey.  Tough act to follow, right?  Not so much as we visit the land of Lawrence.  Lawrence, Kansas.

"UNBELIEVABLE. INSANE. INCREDIBLE."

10th & Final Stop:  # 2 Kansas Jayhawks

Student Section:  Phog Fanatics

Student Section Case Study:   Ashtin Meerpohl, Freshman

The Interview……..

ORB:  As a freshman, what’s it like walking into the world famous Allen Fieldhouse for the very first time?

Ashtin: Unbelievable.  Insane.  Incredible.  You see the Championship banners hanging everywhere, and you realize how many legendary players have come through and the tradition literally smacks you in the face.

ORB:  Is it tough to become a member of the KU Student Section?

Ashtin: I’d say it’s more about being committed then being tough.  There are 3,000 fanatics deep in our student section (16,300 people), and for Late Night (KU’s version of Midnight Madness known as “Late Night in The Phog”) this year, we waited in line from 8am until they let us in at 8pm.  When the doors finally opened, it was basically a sea of blue in a mad rush, and my friends and I were able to get seats in the front row – pretty neat.  For ESPN College Gameday, we camped out from midnight until the sun came up, until they let us in at 8am for the show that went from 9-11am (both Late Night and Gameday were first come, first serve seating).  Normally our group camps out in 3 hour shifts for all the home games to hold down our spot that we acquired earlier that week in a lottery.  People sleep on blow-up mattresses and bring books to study in lawn chairs.

NOTHING LIKE IT!

ORB:  Wow.  That’s alot of fanatics, and alot of 3 hour shifts.  Ok, so you’ve told us what it takes to get into a game, and how it felt for the first time.  What is the experience like for you during the games?

Ashtin: Aside from it being louder than anything you’ll ever hear (ESPN The Magazine named Allen Fieldhouse the loudest college basketball arena in the country in 2010), the rituals like the Rock Chalk Chant and Alma Mater blow your mind.  I’ve only missed one home game this year (not by choice!), and being part of the rituals gets better and better every time.

ORB:  Is there anything specific that you personally do during the games that might be considered a little crazy?

Ashtin: Does wearing a Gorilla suit count as crazy?  Basically, one of my friends and I dress up in Gorilla suits, while another friend dresses up in a banana suit.  When the other team is attempting their foul shots, we jump up and down like the apes we are, and try to distract them – The “Banana Sandwich” seems to be an effective weapon for this.

THE BANANA SANDWICH.

YES to answer your question Ashtin – You are obviously CRAZY about your Jayhawks! Thanks for your time today, and Good luck against Mizzou tomorrow and in the Big 12 tournament.  Maybe we’ll see the “Banana Sandwich” at the Final Four in Houston!

It’s been a blast interviewing all of the students from across the country this past month.  There is no doubt that “I Love College Hoops” is a sentiment that runs deep.  Now that the regular season schedule is coming to a close, it’s time to start thinkin’ brackets.  Be sure to stay tuned to the Original Retro Brand blog, as we’ve got a contest up our sleeve that will dish out over $500 worth of Original Retro Brand gear in prizes!

ROCK CHALK WALK

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

CHILLIN'

If you’ve been following Original Retro Brand’s “What’s Your College Knowledge?” contest (click here if you haven’t!), then your eagerly awaiting for the biggest Big 12 showdown of the season to date, which will take place tomorrow when the # 11 Kansas State Wildcats host the #2 Kansas Jayhawks.  With # 10 Purdue holding on at the wire to knock off # 16 Wisconsin last night, and # 13 Gonzaga handling a tougher than expected Santa Clara Bronco squad, the number of contestants who have a shot at the FREE Original Retro Brand shirt for this week has been narrowed down to 15.  If Kansas wins, 9 folks will go into a drawing to determine the winner, and 6 folks if K-State wins.

In anticipation of the big game (ESPN College Game Day staring @ 6pm est), I had no choice but to roll out the TOP TEN Original Retro Brand shirts for these in-state rivals.  All you gotta do is click the highlighted links to check em’ out.

THAT 70's SHOW

10. 1991 Final Four – This was Kansas coach Roy Williams first shot at a National title, but tournament Most Outstanding Player Christian Laetner from Duke, put the kibosh on that.

9. K-State Powercat – My high school mascot was a Wildcat (Go Walt Whitman!), so I have to get this shirt in the mix.  It’s cool, but I find the older logo’s more graphically pleasing as you will see momentarily.

8. Kansas 1966-present logo – Rock Chalk Jayhawk Walk – I think it goes like that?

7. Kansas Block – The simplicity of any block lettered ORB shirt makes them worthy for any TOP 10 t-shirt list.  Bonus logo on the sleeve is nice too!

6. K-STATE – A shirt you can’t miss – Loud & Proud.

5. 1988 Final Four – “Danny & the Miracles”  – As in Danny Manning & the Jayhawks knock off Oklahoma to win the national title on the 50th anniversary of the tournament.

4. Kansas Stripe – Any time I see this stripe pattern, it reminds me of the old mesh caps from the 1970′s.  Looks better on a shirt.

3. Kansas 1912 logo – This dude is just hangin’ out.  Cool customer.

THE OLDER, THE BETTER

2. Kansas 1929 logo - This dude looks like he’s walking over to kick some butt…..Kansas State Wildcat butt.

1. Willie Wildcat w/pennant -  As I said earlier, I find older logo’s more graphically pleasing.   Is that Tom from Tom & Jerry?  # 1 shirt on the list doesn’t mean I’m picking them to win tomorrow.  It just means this is the coolest vintage Original Retro Brand shirt in the lot.

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LOOKIN' GOOD @ TRUNK SHOW

It was a mere three weeks ago when Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman and Original Retro Brand retail marketing director Cassidy Moore, both University of Arizona alums, eagerly headed to Tucson for a *boondoggle weekend that featured the Wildcats first-time historical hosting of ESPN’S  College Game Day (see blog post here).

OFF TO THE ZONA ZOO!

Herman and Moore flew in bright eyed and bushy tailed, and full of optimism.  They made an appearance @ the College Bookstore on “Big Cat Friday,”  for a trunk show featuring the latest and greatest from the Original Retro Brand’s Arizona Collection.  The student body in attendance were happy with what they saw, and gobbled up plenty of new gear to wear to Arizona Stadium on Saturday night.

The game versus the # 11 ranked Oregon Ducks had Rose Bowl implications for both teams, and a win for the Cats would leave them in position to control their own destiny.  Alas, the Wildcats played their hearts out but came up short in an overwhelming and deflating overtime loss 44-41.  This setback only dampened the duo’s enthusiasm momentarily however, as they headed to the only place they knew could make them feel better – Dirtbag’s.  Yes, Dirtbag’s has been the Tucson institution for partying during the highs, and drowning all sorrows during the lows, since forever.  This night was no different (the slogan for the bar is “Dirtbag’s….A Part Of Growing Up”).

HAPPY HERMAN

After a long night of cocaine shooters (fyi: vodka, raspberry liqueur, grapefruit juice) and “healing” at Dirtbag’s, both Herman and Moore headed poolside at their hotel Sunday morning to reflect.  Gazing around the scenic view of palm trees and the Arizona mountains, they realized how things were not so bad after all.  Nothing feels better than catching some rays in the middle of November in Tucson.   Little did they know that things would definitely get better….

DIRTBAGS?

In case you did not know, the Wildcats made sure things got much, much better.  They would go on to win hard fought, back to back victories over arch rivals Arizona State and USC, earning them the right to play # 22 Nebraska in the Pacific Holiday Bowl.  Those Cornhusker dirtbags don’t have a chance.

*boondoggle: a business trip that combines both business AND pleasure.

Both have a superior product.  Both have a huge following.  Both are the best at what they do.  College GameDay airs the most comprehensive and entertaining College Football show (and have been doing so for the past 23 years), and the Original Retro Brand produces the softest, most durable, most comfortable t-shirts, with the largest variety of vintage graphics on the planet.

LANCE IN ORB,ON THE SET

The two will collide this weekend on the campus at the University of Arizona in Tucson, as College GameDay makes it’s first appearance there in the history of the program.  Original Retro Brand founder, CEO, and UA alum Marc Herman, will be there putting on his own show (as in trunk) at the College Bookstore Friday.  It is there where the apparel guru will talk retro, and unveil the latest & greatest Arizona Wildcat Original Retro brand collection (see details here).  What better way for the rabid students in “The Zona Zoo,” to get geared up in red?!  Marc is slated to speak with the Fashion and merchandising classes as well.

Of course the real collision will take place on the field, as the # 11 Oregon Ducks come in and try to put the kabosh on any thoughts of a PAC-10 run to the crown, and first ever Rose Bowl berth for the Wildcats.  Even though the Cats hit a bump against CAL last week, doesn’t mean they can’t knock off the mighty ducks (see ORB pick of the week).  Lest yee forget that Oregon came in ranked # 2 just a few years ago, before being whacked by a not so strong Arizona team.   Arizona is much stronger now, and will have a College GameDay student body gone mad, backing them up.

ZONA ZOO

Speaking of student body, Original Retro Brand Marketing Director, and Marc Herman’s fellow UA alum, Cassidy Moore (left, 2nd from right), will be joining him for the trunk show and subsequent pep rallies, parties &  and pandemonium (they’ll be attending the actual game too!).  I have asked them to take plenty of pictures, and plenty of notes describing what their College GameDay experience will be like.  I will be sure to post their findings and photos next week.   Another UA alum, and member of the Original Retro Brand family is CFO & partner Rick Schwartz.   Although Rick won’t be attending the big game in person, he will be there in spirit (may the Schwartz be with you! …sorry, couldn’t help myself).  Rick actually met Marc back in the summer of 1994, in a real estate & tax finance summer school class (oy vey!).  Both avid sports fans, little did they know then, that they would end up partners in a successful sports apparel business.  At that time, the Arizona football team was on the rise under coach Dick Tomey, and 2-time All-American Defensive End, Tedy Bruschi.  It was Bruschi who spearheaded the vaunted defense known as  “Desert Swarm.”   By the time Schwartz and Herman graduated however, the football program was going south, while Lute Olsen’s hoopsters were in the thick of a long run at NCAA tournament supremacy.  Fast forward ten years to the victory over BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl last year, and # 17 national ranking before the loss to CAL, and you have signs that football may be on the way back to Arizona.   A Pac-10 title would make it official.

This won’t be the first time the Original Retro Brand & College GameDay have been intertwined.  Back on September 19th, 7-time Tour De France Champion, Lance Armstrong, appeared on the set of College GameDay for the Texas-Texas Tech game.  Lance (Lance takes a stance) left no doubt of his allegiance, by donning his Original Retro Brand Texas Longhorns shirt.

CORSO WILL WEAR WILBUR!

So be sure to tune in to College GameDay this Saturday morning.  I’m guessing Lee Corso will end the show (as he always does, wearing the mascot headgear for the team he believes will win the game)  with a big WILBUR on his head!  And if you want to see the craziest, and loudest, screaming guy and girl in red Arizona Original Retro Brand shirts, you should be able to spot Marc and Cassidy on College GaneDay!

Most of us know that cycling legend and philanthropist Lance Armstrong is stubborn, and hard-headed when it comes to accomplishing his goals.   You don’t win triathlon’s when your 13 year’s old, and  7 Tour De France titles after overcoming cancer if you’re not!

The Plano, Texas native is also a well known Texas Longhorns fanatic, and there is no doubt the force of his will to inspire his team to victory over the Texas Tech Raiders, was in full effect this past weekend.

Lance appeared on the popular ESPN College Gameday show wearing his Original Retro Brand Texas double-hit shirt to show his support!!  Check out the clip…

Apparently Lance isn’t the only celebrity screaming “HOOK EM’ HORNS!”  in Original Retro Brand gear.    Fellow Texan (Abilene), and sports enthusiast Jessica Simpson sings her praises for the Horns in women’s version, and actor, producer, tv pitchman, and cougar snagger Ashton Kutcher is seen here wearing the Original Retro Brand Texas mascot BEVO logo shirt.

3 celebrities wearing Texas Original Retro Brand = # 2 Ranking and 3 victories for the Longhorns.  Ok, maybe it’s not just the shirt, but you can’t argue with the success!!

To learn more about the Lance Armstrong Foundation and his LIVESTRONG curriculum, please click the link.