Archive for June, 2010

What’s The Significance Of A Varsity Letterman Jacket?

As I began my research of this very important topic “what’s the significance of a varsity letterman jacket.” I was amazed at how many people knew nothing about this prestigious part of our American culture. I will be covering various tidbits of information today dealing with the varsity letterman jacket. I will examine the birth of the letterman jacket as well as the appearance, style, decorations, history, & the traditions of the letterman jacket. The birth of the letterman jacket came with the advent of organized sports which created a need for uniforms. There was an additional need for identifications which was satisfied by the use of emblems or letters. In 1865, the Harvard baseball team added Olde English ‘H’ as their first varsity letter. The ‘H’ was embroidered on the gray flannel shirt. The football team started to use the ‘H’ in 1875. It is interesting to note that for 25 years following the introduction in 1865 of the letter, it was the practice for the team captain to allow certain players who played in the most important games (Yale or Princeton) to keep the ‘H’ jerseys as an award. If a player did not play in an important game, the player had to return the jersey at the end of the season. Awarding the ‘H’ jersey may have been the birth of the varsity letter as an award.

A letterman, in U.S. sports, performing arts or academics, is a high school or college student who has met a specified level of participation and/or performance on a varsity athletic team, marching band, or in other performance school-sponsored activities. The term comes from the practice of awarding each such participant a cloth “letter”, which is usually the school’s initial or initials, for placement on a “letter sweater” or “letter jacket” intended for the display of such an award. In some instances, the sweater or jacket itself may also be awarded, especially for the initial award to a given individual.

Traditionally the athletic letter is associated with elite athletes, though in the last few decades there has been movement to make the letter award more accessible to all students by removing performance requirements. In the case of a marching band, drumline, or colorguard member, usually a letterman is awarded to an upperclassmen or section leader. Today, in order to distinguish “lettermen” from other team participants, schools often establish a minimum level of participation in a team’s events and/or a minimum level of performance in order for a letter to be awarded. A common threshold in American football and basketball is participation in a set level, often half, of all quarters in a season. (To meet this standard in a ten game season, one would have to have participated in at least twenty of the forty quarters played.)

In individual sports such as tennis and golf, the threshold for lettering is generally participation in one half or sometimes two-thirds of all matches contested. Frequently, other members of the team who fail to meet requirements for a letter are awarded a certificate of participation or other award considered to be of lesser value than a letter. Some schools continue to base the awarding of letters according to performance, in team sports requiring a certain number of scores, steals, baskets or tackles, according to position and sport. In individual sports letters are often determined according to qualification for state meets or tournaments. In the performing arts letters are awarded according to performance. Students who are selected for state choir or receive high scores at major instrumental competition may receive letters, or musicians who achieve first or second seat in their instrumental section. Students participating in academic clubs can also be given this award if the requirements are met, which academic clubs this award can be given to is at the discretion of the school. In some schools general “academic letters” are awarded on the basis of GPA, usually students with a GPA at or above 3.8.This term is not gender-specific; a qualifying participant in women’s basketball or other women’s sports is properly referred to as a letterman, as would be a qualifying female participant on a co-educational sports team.

A letterman jacket is a jacket traditionally worn by high school and college students in the United States to represent school and team pride as well as to display personal awards earned in athletics, academics or activities. Letterman jackets are also known as “Varsity Jackets” in some places. The body (i.e., torso) is usually of boiled wool and the sleeves of leather with banded wrists and waistband. Letter jackets are usually produced in the school colors with the body of the jacket in the school’s primary color and sleeves in the secondary color. They usually feature a banded collar for men or a hood for women. The letter jacket derives its name from the varsity letter chenille patch on its left breast, which is almost always the first letter or initials of the high school or college the jacket came from. Because the jacket is meant as a display for the letter award the jacket’s colors match those of the letter, rather than the other way around. The name of the owner usually appears either in chenille (matching the letter) or is embroidered on the jacket itself. The owner’s graduation year usually appears in matching chenille, Placement of the name and year of graduation depends on school tradition. The year is most often sewn on the right sleeve or just above the right pocket. Lettermen who play on a championship team often receive a large patch commemorating their championship that is worn on the back of the jacket.

The letterman sweater was first regularly used by the 1891 “Nine” (baseball) and was black with a small Crimson ‘H’ on the left ******. Letter sweaters were a predecessor to letter jackets. The letter was usually quite large and centered (if the sweater was a pullover); stripes on one sleeve designated the number of letters won, with a star indicating a team captain. Letterman jackets are almost never purchased before a student has earned a letter. In schools where only varsity letters are awarded this is usually in a students’ junior or senior year. In schools where junior varsity letters are awarded, the jacket may also be purchased by junior varsity letter recipients, though the letter is placed just above the left pocket, leaving space for a (hopefully) future varsity letter.

Some schools may award letterman jackets to letter winners at the award ceremony, but more often the school only provides the letter.

In America and Canada a male athlete might give his girlfriend the letter as a token of his love, this is considered a sign of a truly intimate relationship as the Jacket is an honor. In the event of a breakup it is customary for the girl to return the jacket as a sign of rejection.

Works Cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterman

http://mountolympusawards.com/publications/varsityletter.htm
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Custom Design Boat Graphics

When you buy a boat you as a customer are spending a lot of money on that one piece of equipment. Then you have to figure everything else that goes with buying a boat such as a truck to haul it with and a trailer to haul it on. Even if you plan on keeping your brand new boat at the marina, it still isn’t cheap. So now that it has been established that buying your dream boat isn’t cheap you might want to make your boat stand out from all of the rest. A great way to make a great boat into an awesome boat is with custom boat graphics. It might sound expensive just like everything else, but really it’s a lot more affordable than you might think.

You might have heard of wrapping your car, now the same technology is being used in order to customize your boat as well. It doesn’t matter if you simply want a great design or wish to use your new boat as an advertising tool; both concepts can be accomplished with custom boat graphics. If you are looking for something different than everyone else on the water has, add some style to your boat by making it something that catches the eye of everyone who passes. The process of custom boat graphics is really easier than you might imagine. The first step has you working with a design team to figure out exactly what you wish to accomplish with your boat. If you have a new business and wish to do a little advertising while out on the water then your business logo can easily be designed to fit your boat. If you want to colors or images, just convey your thoughts to create the custom boat graphic you desire.

Once you decide on what type of graphic you want the design is then printed and installed within a day. You don’t even have to take your boat in for this service if it’s not convenient, this process can be done wherever the boat is. Why waste money on having professional artists or painters come in and try to accomplish such a job that will take them days, weeks, or even months. You can have the design of your choosing created, printed and installed within a day with only a portion of the cost. If your boat already has existing detailing, a custom design graphic can be put on over almost anything without the hassle of removing the existing one.

Why wait weeks or even months to get your boat back on the water. With a custom design graphic you can have your boat customized and out on the water in a day or two. It’s been established that buying a boat is not a cheap investment, but making your boat look great doesn’t have to break the bank. Compared to other forms of graphic customizing on your boat, choosing custom boat graphics has never been this affordable. It’s quick, easy, and affordable which is always a great combination.

Custom Figurines Make You Stand Out

In today’s competitive business world, every venue of advertisement has to be employed to distinguish your business from the crowd and make you stand out.

Unlike a business card that can be lost or thrown away, a custom figurine will keep you, and your company, on people’s minds.

Bobble heads have been in existence for over a hundred years. First made of easily breakable porcelain, they were later made of papier mache. Only in the 1960’s when baseball showed interest in them and imported custom figurines in the shape of different baseball positions, nor players, these dolls started to grow in popularity. When the Beatles figurines came on the market, they turned into a hit and propelled the use of bobble heads for an advertisement way above what it has been before.

Custom figurines, those 7 inch tall dolls, are part interactive toy and part advertisement. They are memorable and fun to touch and they bring smiles to peoples faces. By encouraging people to touch them, you put your potential customers in a good and positive mood to start a casual conversation that will make you, and your company, memorable.

These figurines can give you a lot of exposure in the next trade show or convention. With today’s technology, these dolls can be made in any shape or form. They can carry your logo, be in your likeness or have these both combined. The process of making custom figurines have become simple and cheap enough that all you need is a picture of yourself and a decision of what shape and attire the bobble head doll will have.

When people take a custom figurine home with them with your logo and information, they are taking something that is not small enough to get lost (like a pen or a hat), and not too big so it’ll need much room. Any flat surface will do; be it a shelf, a desk or a car’s dashboard, you can be certain that the custom figurines are a constant and fun reminder of your business.

The process of making your own custom figurine is very simple these days. Most of the dolls are in sizes between 6 and 8 inches tall, but the shape and position of your own bobble head can be anything you like. Whether you are a business owner, a pediatrician or a lawyer, you can have a figurine that will go with the type of your business, or create a fun joke by going against type. Seeing a doll with the likeness of the doctor, but wearing shorts for example, will disarm and amuse your somewhat frightened little patients.

Custom figurines can come in the shape of a man, a woman or a couple. They can be an animal or an imaginary mascot. You do not have to have a clear figure in mind; a concept is sometimes all that is required. Professional manufacturers will help you choose, design and approve your doll, make it in the colors of your logo or in your likeness. It is no longer the realm of sports figures or known personalities. You and your business are the ones that will stay in people’s homes or places of business as a constant, fun evoking, interactive, 3D advertisement of your business.

Custom Built Outdoor Retail Signs

Nas T-Shirt (Anywhere in Toronto)?

Hey, I really want a Nas T-Shirt but I don’t know if there are any hip hop stores where I can get a Nas T-Shirt. I don’t want a custom shirt as it’s to expensive, but that could be an option. Does anyone know where I can get a Nas T-Shirt in TORONTO?
Or if anyone knows where I can get a pair of Nas shoes’ Online has to much shipping for me.
Traditional Decor

custom printed t shirts, custom t-shirts, custom screen pri

www.thetdesigner.com Affordable Custom printed t shirts, make your own shirts or create your own custom t-shirts online with our design lab. 866-301-TEES

Order custom t-shirts online?

Can someone give me the link for a website that makes custom t shirts cheaply? I’m the Key Club treasurer at our school, and I need to find out pricing for shirts (we will probably be ordering around 70, and we already have a design drawn up). Thanks !
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DIY Stencil “Screenprint” Custom T Shirts w/Freezer Paper

I’ve always been interested in screenprinting, only to find out that the materials used for the process are very expensive. This is the poor man’s way to “screenprint” using inexpensive items you can purchase at the grocery and local craft store. The hardest part is cutting out the image using the x-acto knife. If you have access to a laser cutter, it will make this whole process so much easier and you can print very detailed designs onto your shirts. (BRIBE your art school friends!)