Ordering Team Gear

• We all need to do it

• It's crucial for your players

• It's one of the largest, if not the biggest, expenses of your season

• If not done correctly, it can lead to issues with the team and parents

• It is, in many ways, a reflection of your brand

• SO IT'S IMPORTANT!

The 1989 North Carolina Men's Basketball Unitard

Some tips:

1. Start early. We begin selecting our travel outfits, sweats, workout gear, shoes, t-shirts, compressions, etc., in June.

2. Practice gear:

   1. Order affordable gear annually, or customize higher-quality gear biennially. We personalize our practice gear (jersey and shorts) and invest a bit more in them. Proper care ensures they last longer. We wash them in cold water and hang dry daily.

   2. Custom orders should be completed by the end of May to receive them by October 1st.

3. Game uniforms:

   1. I prefer stitched lettering and numbering. The fabric is heavier but more durable, and it shows sweat stains less. We wash them in cold water and hang dry.

      Pro tip: Always wash your game uniforms when you first receive them. Many coaches simply hang them up, and when players sweat in them for the first time, the sweat sets in the fabric if not washed immediately.

   2. Order as early as possible. For custom uniforms (Nike), we've waited up to 5 months. The turnaround is similar with (Adidas). If you need them by November 15th, order by June 15th at the latest.

4. I have attached a spreadsheet we use for ordering our gear.

   1. Pro tip: Create the spreadsheet based on your preferences, then submit it to your sales representative. Have them check the availability of the items you ordered. This allows you to order substitute items that are in stock. Often, companies have items available in one color but not another, or in one size but not another. Your rep can inform you of these details for accurate ordering.

   2. Ensure you clearly specify the details of the embellishments (embroidery) you want on your items.

5. Write the catalog name of the item, the model number, and the color code you want.

6. Lastly, I have four order groupings and I color code the groupings for the items we order:

   1. Entire program: FR, JV, FR, and staff

   2. Varsity players only

   3. Staff only

   4. Administrators and Game crew

   5. (a fifth group would be ordering for your tournaments, classics, and fundraising events that you have and give coaches gifts to the participating teams)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JwynnGnyQR0DuwkN2EJou9V-Efe81JihX2X0uChrCkk/edit?usp=sharing