The College Store won a school spirit contest sponsored by the Russell Athletic apparel company earlier this month. The competition’s objective was to create a display that showed school pride and featured Russell Athletic Brand apparel.

This was the first display contest in which the store has participated. Wendy Gibble, merchandise manager for the College Store, learned about the school spirit display contest through an advertisement in The College Store Magazine. She was also informed about the contest by the Store’s Russell representative, Karen Stipp.

Gibble’s objective for the display was to create a catchy showcase that not only represented the College’s school spirit but also promoted the Russell Brand in a creative way. Gibble started thinking of the word “Russell” and how she could utilize it within her display. The theme that Gibble chose was “Russell Up Your Favorite Sweats & Tees.” “The words ‘Russell Up’ reminded me of a western rodeo, so I decided to go with the Western theme, complete with cowboy boots, belt buckle, hat and the works,” Gibble said. Kathy Christopher, catering manager of Dining Services, assisted Gibble with western-themed props for the display.

The Store’s winning display will be featured on the first page of The College Store Magazine’s November/December Issue. In addition to being featured on the cover of the magazine, the Store also received a free t-shirt tower worth an estimated $825.00. Since then, the tower has become an integral addition to the Store’s layout. The Store also received airfare for one person to attend the Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) 2014 in Dallas, Texas in March of next year.

Gibble said she is proud of the Store and thrilled that it is being nationally recognized for its good work. “It is an honor to be recognized for this display. It puts little Etown College ‘on the map,’” Gibble said.