Big Rapids, Mich. - A Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA) Championship and NCAA Frozen Four appearance for the hockey
team last April, combined with a renewed excitement surrounding
Ferris State Athletics and a growing fan base, has resulted in
record-breaking sales of trademarked merchandise in 2012.
"The increased visibility from our hockey run, coupled with
convenient point of sale locations (on-line store, local vendors,
and regional suppliers) helped us to achieve a record year,”
said Jon Coles, associate athletic director at
Ferris State. “This revenue supports scholarships within the
Honors College and will help supplement the General Athletics
budget."
Ferris State University saw gross royalties of licensed merchandise
increase 38 percent over the 2011 calendar year earnings, the
highest total in the history of the Ferris State licensing
program. The previous high was set in 2010.
To sell merchandise bearing the likeness of Ferris State
University, manufacturers agree to a code of conduct and pay a
small royalty fee based on sales generated. The selection of
licensed products bearing Ferris marks have grown to offer more
than just your basic t-shirt and hat. Ferris State fans can now
find fashionable apparel lines, mobile accessories, and home and
office decorator items to show their Bulldog pride.
“It’s exciting to see the growth of the Ferris State
brand, not only in Big Rapids, but in West Michigan and
beyond,” said Tim Klaasen, university brand
representative from Licensing Resource Group. “ FSU fans are
able to find official licensed merchandise in more places than ever
before, and the royalty revenues are supporting some great programs
on campus.”
About Licensing Resource Group
The Licensing Resource Group was founded in May of 1991, and
currently represents more than 190 universities, colleges, athletic
conferences and special properties nationwide. LRG provides
trademark management services that include contract management,
merchandising, brand development, information technology, and
royalty management from offices in Holland, Michigan;
Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Iowa City, Iowa, and Bristol, Rhode
Island.