July 21, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa has entered into an agreement with LIDS Sports Group for the operation and management of Herky’s Locker Room, a new retailer and the official team store of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Herky’s Locker Room will consist of brick and mortar retail store locations, game day locations at Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and the e-commerce website www. herkyslockerroom.com all carrying officially licensed Hawkeye merchandise.
LIDS Sports Group, primarily known for its LIDS retail brand which operates more than 975 stores across North America, will operate Herky’s Locker Room within its LIDS Clubhouse division. LIDS Clubhouse operates team-specific professional sports and collegiate athletics retail stores and e-commerce websites.
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The first Herky’s Locker Room store will operate from the former Hawk Shop location at 1525 Second Street in Coralville, Iowa. LIDS officials expect both the retail location and the web site to be in operation in early August.
According to UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta, the decision to partner with LIDS Sports Group was driven in great measure by the desire to meet the increased demand of Hawkeyes fans across the country for merchandise. Interest has accelerated in recent years as a result of the success and exposure on a national level of the Hawkeye football, wrestling and women’s basketball programs, and the momentum that is building behind the men’s basketball program.
“Hawkeye fans proudly support our school colors and the Tigerhawk logo. This new retail agreement will provide UI fans access to the latest officially licensed University of Iowa apparel, accessories and novelties thanks to the excellent reputation, experience and strong national presence of LIDS Sports Group,” said Barta.
Operating out of Indianapolis, Indiana, LIDS Clubhouse has agreements with more than 25 professional teams, collegiate athletic departments and sports organizations including the University of Washington, Texas Tech University, the University of Kansas, Iowa State University, the New York Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Jets. LIDS also has agreements with the NASCAR Hall of Fame and is the official retail clubhouse operator of Major League Baseball.
“Herky’s Locker Room is an exciting addition to the LIDS Clubhouse team and we look forward to demonstrating to Hawkeye fans everywhere LIDS’ dedication to staying on top of industry trends, offering a broad assortment of quality products, and putting customer service first,” said Ken Kocher, president of LIDS Sports Group.
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“We look forward to demonstrating to Hawkeye fans everywhere LIDS’ dedication to staying on top of industry trends, offering a broad assortment of quality products, and putting customer service first.”
Ken Kocher, president of LIDS Sports Group
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Sales of officially licensed merchandise provide financial support for all University of Iowa intercollegiate athletic programs and student programming.
The University Book Store, home of the Hawk Shop, will continue to offer a selection of fan wear, gifts and the academic supplies needed by UI students and other members of the UI community at its locations in Iowa City.
ABOUT LIDS SPORTS GROUP
The LIDS Sports Group, operating within Hat World, Inc., is comprised of the LIDS retail headwear stores, the LIDS Locker Room specialty fan retail chain, the LIDS Clubhouse retail stores, the LIDS Team Sports wholesale team sports business and its Internet businesses, www.lids.com, www.lids.ca, www.lidsteamsports.com and www.sportsavenue.com. Operating out of Indianapolis, Indiana, the retail businesses make up more than 975 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet locations nationwide, and in Canada and Puerto Rico. LIDS retail stores offer officially-licensed and branded products of collegiate teams, major professional sports teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories all in the latest styles and colors. LIDS Locker Room is a mall-based retailer of sports headwear, apparel, accessories, and novelties, and also operates Sports Fan-Attic and Sports Avenue stores. Most LIDS and LIDS Locker Room stores also offer custom embroidery capability. LIDS Clubhouse operates team-specific professional sports and university athletics retail stores and e-commerce websites. Hat World, Inc. is a subsidiary of Genesco, Inc.