With sports on pause, athletes on all levels as well as coaches and fans are having to think differently. But for local clothing company Duds By Dudes, the sports shut down has caused a change in their business model.
“Right now I would normally be non-stop busy making shirts for all the spring high school teams across San Diego. Now no one is placing orders,” said Duds By Dudes President Brian Geffen.
With so many ties to the local community, Geffen recognized that this situation would have rippling effects throughout the community.
“I know that there are teams out there that missed out on fundraisers. Coaches are worried about getting paid. Trainers and faculty … everyone is going to be affected by this,” continued Geffen.
So in an effort to keep his business going and try to help the high school sports community that he works with so closely, he is working with schools to sell shirts and raise money to help each school community affected.
“For every shirt we sell, $5 will go straight to that school for them to help take care of their coaches and people who might need it,” Geffen said.
The shirts all have a simple message printed on them designed to give people hope and reassurance: #wewillplayagain. While right now there is no timetable for the return of high school sports, Geffen is trying to see the bigger picture.
“If it’s a few weeks or few months from now, we want to remind people that we are all going to get through this and will get sports back,” said Geffen.
Several schools across San Diego have already begun to sell the shirts with many more lined up to start soon.
This is just another example of the sports community finding a way to help San Diego in uncertain times.
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