TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ohio State Fans must be feeling a little happier this week as the attention surrounding their football program lessens as the media and their news trucks head south for some fresh meat. The attention is now fully focused on the University of Miami and what some say might be the biggest scandal in college football since the infamous SMU pay-for-play scandal of the mid 70's and 80's; the one that triggered the first ever NCAA Death Penalty. The alleged scandal involves former UM booster and convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro and his claims that he paid for nightclub outings, sex parties, cars and other gifts to past and current UM athletes.
Much to the delight of rival fans, including those of FSU, Florida and Virginia Tech, Smack Apparel, a small but nationally known manufacturer of unique sports-themed t-shirts, has created SUCKS TO BE U, a design that is starting to create quite a stir. True to the company's tagline, Talkin' the Talk, the shirt cleverly talks a little Smack on The U's current turmoil, while satirizing Miami's famous logo. Tara Kennedy, the buyer for Garnet and Gold, a Tallahassee multi-location fan shop, said, "We saw the design and said, 'oh my gosh, our fans are going to eat this up. It is so simple, yet so clever. We are expecting to receive our first shipment Tuesday and by the reaction of a few FSU fans we showed it to, it should be a very hot seller." Wayne Curtiss, the owner of Smack Apparel says, "Miami has a big time winning tradition and has shown a little too much swagger over the years for some to stomach. To some, celebrating their fall may be just as sweet as beating them on the football field. They are one of those schools you either love or love to hate." For FSU and Florida fans, Curtiss says, it's a whole other level. "Those fans live and work with Miami fans, have heard about THE U, their 5 national titles, all their NFL guys and who can forget the ESPN 30 for 30 film, THE U."
Curtiss says, while the NFL, MLB and the Collegiate Licensing Company do not care much for Smack Apparel, and over Smack's 13 years, have tried to persuade some retailers not to carry Smack's products because they hold no licenses, Curtiss cites this current design is a prime example why Smack has never chosen to go the licensed route. "I often say," Curtiss states, "It's not that we are averse to being licensed, we are just averse to the significant creative restrictions that would come with being licensed. When a certain situation or event is happening, our retailers, as well as the fans, want a t-shirt that is creative, fun and topical, and the licensed industry just doesn't do that very well. If you really want to see what we do, go to our Hall of Fame on our website and you will see why I am so proud of the shirts we produce; they are just fun."
The new t-shirt falls into that fun category, unless, err...you're a Hurricane Fan!
Contact:
Contact Person: Wayne Curtiss
Company Name: Smack Apparel
Telephone Number: 813-250-0627
Fax Number: 813-251-4539
Email Address: Wayne@smackapparel.com
Website Address: www.getsmack.com
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The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Sucks to be U t-shirt |