Logoed-apparel buyers play by their own rules: ESPN Chilton Sports Poll tracks store and team preference, and buying factors. - Daily News Record

NEW YORK -- One of the keys to success in sports apparel retailing, as in all retailing, is knowing the customer. But when it comes to the sports apparel customer, there is a lot more to know.

Retailers carrying sports apparel must deal with such non-store variables as team standings, player loyalties, new franchises and a host of other sports-related issues in addition to the usual problems associated with building inventory and merchandising programs.

Some help for the perplexed retailer comes from a tracking study of consumers conducted by the ESPN Chilton Sports Poll. Last year this research group interviewed over 8,000 consumers about their attitudes towards sports-related issues, including apparel purchases. When it comes to describing those consumers who buy or own apparel items carrying college team or professional team logos, the study is a virtual playbook. It provides the latest insights into this market both in terms of size and value; it also profiles the apparel sports-logo customer in terms of store preference, team preference and buying factors.

Here are the highlights:

More than half of the U.S. population over 12 years of age (51 percent) bought an apparel item with a college or profession team logo in 1996.

29.6% bought an item with a professional logo.

16 percent bought an item with a college logo.

5 percent bought both college- and professional-logo apparel items

On average, about 25 percent of the population spends money on sports- related items every week.

About two-thirds of those dollars are spent on apparel items.

Half of those interviewed said design/fashion is very important in the decision to buy logo sports apparel; 91 percent reported design/fashion as playing a part in the purchase decision.

84 percent said quality is very important in the decision; 99 percent of respondents interviewed noted that quality plays some part in the selection of logo apparel.

50 percent of sports apparel buyers said price was a very important factor in the purchase; 92 percent reported price as a consideration in the purchase of logo apparel.

While the ESPN Chilton Sport Poll does not answer all the questions surrounding the reasons for logo apparel purchases, it does provide insights into the demographic differences among sports-logo apparel buyers in terms of where they shop, league support and key purchase factors.

The ESPN Chilton Sports Poll data compares four major retail groups by 45 demographic characteristics. It uses an index as a measure, comparing survey responses against the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. An index number above 115 indicates greater activity than in the general population. An index number below 85, less buying than would be expected in the population. Here's how it works on a question such as: 'Among pro-league apparel logo owners, which league is favored by African Americans?'

These numbers tell a story. If you are carrying sports-logo apparel and you have an African American clientele, you had better be carrying a lot of NBA logos. The survey indicates no major strength among African Americans for NHL logos, average sales potential with NFL logos, stronger opportunities with MLB logos and a bonanza with NBA logos. The poll indicates buying rates at more than double the numbers found in the population.

The ESPN Chilton Sports Poll provides a profile of customers along demographic lines, allowing comparison of apparel logo buyers (both male and female) by different classes of trade. Respondents' answers are analyzed against standard Census data to provide an index.

It works like this. According to the ESPN Chilton Sports Poll, among the 51 percent of the population who have bought college and/or pro logo apparel, 18.1 percent purchased items from a mass merchandiser like Kmart or Wal-Mart.

Furthermore, 30.6 percent of the buyers are 25-35 years of age. According to Census numbers, only 19.5 percent of the population is in this age group. The mass market's index for customers in this age group is 156 (30.6 divided by 19.5). This means that there are 56% more sports-logo apparel buyers in this age group than are found in the general population. Now let's compare this group with buyers who purchased at specialty stores such as Foot Locker or Champs. Here the index is 115, indicating that there were only slightly more buyers of logo apparel in this age group than in the general population. In effect, discounters were attracting more buyers in this group than specialty stores.

Wanted: Hollywood ending; ValleyCats left-hander goes from deli aisle to pro baseball.(Sports) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)

Byline: MARK SINGELAIS - Staff Writer

TROY - As Jeff Icenogle worked the night shift in a California supermarket, it did occur to him that his dream of a major league baseball career might be over.

'The thought definitely entered my mind,' Icenogle said. 'But I never gave up the hope, and I just kept going after it.' Icenogle, a Tri-City ValleyCats pitcher, was out of baseball for two years after undergoing major surgery on his pitching shoulder in June 2004.

During that time, he toiled in the dairy and deli section and worked as a cashier at Vons, a Los Angeles-area supermarket chain.

Safe to say, he likes his new job a little better.

Icenogle, a left-handed middle reliever, will suit up for his first professional game tonight, when the ValleyCats open their sixth season in the New York-Penn League with a game at the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Tri-City, a short-season Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, plays its home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Oneonta Tigers at Bruno Stadium in Troy.

Icenogle, 23, wore his Tri-City uniform during the team's Media Day festivities on Monday.

'It definitely makes you appreciate the finer things in life,' he said. 'I'm out here playing baseball every day. Millions of people would like to be doing what we're doing.'

Icenogle and right-handed pitcher Cardoza Tucker, who played for the independent Yuma Scorpions, are the only players on the Tri-City roster who aren't joining the ValleyCats from straight out of college or elsewhere in the Houston farm system.

Icenogle said he's aware he might have more to prove to the Astros than a drafted player.

'Sometimes there's some politics involved where a lot of high draft picks get to move up to certain levels,' he said. 'Being a summer-sign undrafted (player), I'm out here working my hardest every day, but you kind of have to prove yourself a little more.'

New ValleyCats manager Pete Rancont said he's still learning about Icenogle.

'I can't tell you a whole lot about him, other than he's a good competitor,' Rancont said. 'He's going to throw strikes, and he's a very hard worker.'

Icenogle needed that work ethic after blowing out his shoulder while pitching for Pasadena (Calif.) City College in 2004. His labrum and rotator cuff were partially torn, and his biceps tendon ripped off the bone.

He had exhausted his junior college eligibility, and four-year schools weren't jumping at the opportunity to take a pitcher coming off a serious shoulder injury.

So Icenogle endured the drudgery of daily rehabilitation and continued his job at Vons, where he'd worked since high school. He played the infield in a slow-pitch softball league just to stay active.

His patience paid off last year. He got a phone call from a friend who played on a Los Angeles Dodgers scout team, which gives high school and older players a chance for exposure. The friend told Icenogle the team needed left-handed pitching.

Icenogle pitched for the Norwalk Dodgers and was noticed by Astros scout Chuck Stone, who managed an opposing team and liked what he saw in the left-hander with a heavy fastball and three other effective pitches. The Houston organization agreed and signed Icenogle last August. Former Astro Enos Cabell, now a special assistant, compares Icenogle to Tom Glavine.

Icenogle has show business in his blood: He's the great-grandson of Oscar-winning actor Ed Begley and great-nephew of actor Ed Begley Jr. And his story has a Hollywood feel to it.

'He's got an excellent shot as long as he stays healthy and strong,' Stone said. 'Being in a grocery store, it sounds like something out of (the movie) 'Major League.' It's all storybook.'

Mark Singelais can be reached at 454-5507 or by e-mail at msingelais@timesunion.com.

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BLOWN ENGINE HALTS WORSHAM JOHNSON ALSO HAS PROBLEMS IN PRO STOCK.(Sports) - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Yesterday's opening qualifying session wasn't exactly the way Del Worsham envisioned starting the defense of his Northwest Nationals Funny Car title. The motor on Worsham's Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Pontiac exploded at the starting line, and he was unable to even attempt a qualifying run.

``That was one of those really lucky or really unlucky deals,'' said Worsham, who ended an eight-year winless streak when he won at SIR last summer. ``It was unlucky, because we exploded a bunch of brand new stuff. It was lucky because it happened there, and not down track at 300 miles per hour.''

Worsham wasn't the only defending race winner with opening-round frustrations. Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson's Chevy Camaro had mechanical problems and he posted the worst time of the 26 entries.

UP IN SMOKE: Significant changes are in store for NHRA's title sponsor, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and its Winston cigarette brand. As part of ``big tobacco's'' 1998 master settlement with the federal government, RJR can only maintain one title sponsorship - using a brand name such as Winston or Camel - following the 2001 season. Since the company currently sponsors the NHRA and NASCAR, that means it must make a choice between the two race series or use clever semantics.

With several series and teams following under the NASCAR banner, it might seem obvious that Winston stays there, but Denny Darnell, RJR's sports marketing enterprises senior manager of media relations, cautions that no decision has been made. After all, Winston has been aligned with the NHRA for the past 28 years.

LOCAL SHOWING: Tacoma driver Pat Austin topped the Federal Mogul Series Funny Car qualifying yesterday with a 5.764-second, 252.05-mph run. His uncle Bucky was ninth quickest entering today's final qualifying session. Each has won this event three times, and Pat is the defending winner.

Brandon Henkelman of San Jose, Calif., led Federal Mogul dragster qualifying with a fast run of 5.395 seconds. Dale Carlson of Olympia was the top local qualifier with a third best time of 5.511 seconds. Mark Hentges of Federal Way was fifth quickest, and Graham's Kim Parker qualified eighth.

TWIST IN FATE: Pro Stock points leader Jeg Coughlin Jr. has a series-best six victories this season and a hefty 189-point advantage atop the standings. But when it comes to Seattle International Raceway, Coughlin has been less than spectacular. In three visits here - two in Pro Stock and another in Sportsman - he has never advanced past the first round.

``I still think this is a great track,'' Coughlin said.

Things looked up for Coughlin yesterday. He was third quickest in opening-round qualifying.

CLEAN RACING: The NHRA is feeling good about new rules instituted for the season - especially the emphasis on minimizing oildowns. Through the first 12 events, there have been only 13 hours and 23 minutes of down time for track crews to clean up oil spills.

That's a little more than an hour a race - a far cry from previous seasons. The NHRA is now penalizing drivers - both monetarily and points-wise - when their cars leave oil on tracks and cause delays.

NORTHWEST NATIVE: Pro racer Cristen Powell of Portland was noticeably absent from SIR's entry list. Powell was let go from the Al Hofmann-owned Funny Car team in mid-June after making the transition from Top Fuel dragsters.

Tommy Johnson, who replaced Powell, still is looking to qualify for his first national event with the team.

Fly-Fishing Pro Hooks Anglers on Sport. - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

By Jeffrey Sparshott, The Washington Times Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Oct. 10--Larry Coburn's job is to think like a fish.

Where do they like to swim? What do they like to eat?

When do they like to eat it?

Mr. Coburn, a fly-fishing professional at Bass Pro Shops in Hanover, Md., is in the business of psyching out trout and helping other anglers to do the same.

'If you feel you've learned it all, that's when you've lost,' says Mr. Coburn, who started fly-fishing 24 years ago when he was 22.

Now he manages Bass Pro's fly-fishing shop, advises customers what equipment to buy, where to go, and teaches fly-casting and fly-tying classes. He also acts as a guide for sportsmen who want a full-day, first-person lesson.

About 11.5 million people fly-fished in the United States last year, and retail sales for the outdoor activity reached $686 million, according to the American Fly Fishing Trade Association. The number of participants is up 16 percent and sales of fly-casting equipment are up slightly, 1.5 percent, over the past two years, an association spokeswoman says.

In Maryland, trout fishing is possible largely because of an extensive state program -- with a budget just under $2 million funded through licenses and excise taxes on fishing equipment -- to stock streams and rivers.

The state Department of Natural Resources stocks almost 300,000 trout annually, according to Bob Lunsford, hatcheries manager for the state. In the next two weeks, some 33,000 trout will be released into Maryland waters during the fall stocking season.

'We expect the vast majority of those fish to be harvested,' Mr. Lunsford says.

Each year some 65,000 people in Maryland buy licenses and trout stamps to have a go at the stock.

But just because brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout are swimming around doesn't mean they are easy to catch.

'Fly-fishing is a unique sport. It's one-on-one, you against the fish,' Mr. Coburn says. 'You use an artificial item you yourself make, and you have to present it in a way to trick the fish.'

The experience doesn't start with a quick cast into the water.

The prospective angler has to get outfitted with a few hundred dollars worth of equipment -- rod, reel, line, waders, a vest, flies and a net. And get a license from the state.

Mr. Coburn can point to the most basic equipment. Then he can teach you how to use it.

He formerly owned his own hunting and fishing shop in Laurel. He took a three-year sabbatical to fish across the country and write a book.

He has been at Bass Pro shop for two years to head up the fly-fishing department. The busiest times of the year for him are around Christmas and in the spring.

But the fall is a good time for fishing and the store is active. Bass Pro's last casting class this season is Oct. 17. Fly-tieing classes start after the holidays.

A true fly fisherman ties his own flies -- woolly buggers, little black stoneflies, nymphs, midges, gnats and the like. A trout is a fussy eater, though. Anglers have to create and then cast whatever is on the day's menu, whether it is a particular insect, pupa or worm.

Mr. Coburn demonstrates.

'This is part of the fun of fly-fishing, making your own flies,' Mr. Coburn says.

A small barbed hook is set in a vice. Needle-nose pliers, fine black thread and a bit of cement are used to attach a turkey feather, a luminous thread called crystal flash, rooster cape, and some peacock feather. The result is a woolly bugger.

'It's a basic fly, a very practical fly. It catches a lot of fish,' Mr. Coburn says.

Figuring out where to go is another challenge. The state lists stocked streams, and Mr. Coburn also co-authored a book, the appropriately named 'Guide to Maryland Trout Fishing,' that tells where the state's catch-and-release streams are, and how to get the fish that are in them.

Most trout creeks are in Central and Western Maryland -- Gunpowder Falls, Big Hunting Creek, Owens Creek and the Youghiogheny River for example. Hunting Creek is a favorite destination for guided trips.

But finding the fish is only part of the challenge. Hooking it is another.

'It's always difficult. If you miss a little thing, you lose,' Mr. Coburn says. 'You have to have patience. If you slow down, you start observing, then you are able to decode what's going on around you and you will be able to catch fish.'

Approaching the water, standing upstream or downstream from the direction of the cast, observing the way a current will pull on a fly, watching where and what the fish are striking.

It's all in a day's work.

'It's a neat game. You're always creating a strategy,' Mr. Coburn says.

To see more of The Washington Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.washtimes.com

Greece suspends pro team sports after riot that killed volleyball fan - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

ATHENS, Greece The Greek government suspended play in allprofessional team sports for two weeks today after a fan was killedin a riot before a women s volleyball match.

The ban, which covers soccer, basketball, volleyball and othersports, will last until April 13.

A man was killed and seven others were hospitalized Thursday whenfans from rival women s volleyball clubs Panathinaikos Athens andOlympiakos Piraeus fought near Athens.

Violence in sport is something that affects our entire society ...and cannot be tolerated, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulossaid today after an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by PrimeMinister Costas Karamanlis.

Roussopoulos also promised to tighten prison-sentencing laws forviolent fans, and introduce mandatory surveillance cameras at allmain soccer stadiums by 2008.

These crimes are not anonymous. Specific people are responsible, Roussopoulos said.

The suspension effectively will delay team games for a week, as itcoincides with a planned recess for the April 8 Orthodox Easterholiday.

The suspension follows a similar move in Italy following the Feb.2 killing of a policeman in rioting at a match between Sicilianrivals Catania and Palermo. The violence led to a weeklong suspensionof all soccer in Italy s top three divisions and to the closure ofstadiums

Greek sporting events have been plagued by fan violence for years.

The national soccer team is likely to face sanctions from UEFAfollowing Greece s 4-1 home loss to Turkey on Saturday in a EuropeanChampionship qualifier. Greek fans clashed among themselves and alsopelted Turkish players with sticks, coins and plastic water bottles.

In Thursday s clashes, several dozen fans on motorcycles clashedwith rival supporters, hurling petrol bombs and rocks. At least twocars and three stores were damaged, police said.

Eighteen youths were detained by police, 13 of whom were formallyarrested.

Police said a 25-year-old man died before reaching the hospital. Astate coroner said the man died of head injuries and had beenmurdered.

The clashes occurred before a volleyball Greek Cup match betweenPanathinaikos and Olympiakos.

Both clubs have major teams in soccer, basketball and othersports, and rival supporters in the past have clashed at varioussporting events.

Following the violence, police raided 15 supporters clubs ofOlympiakos and Panathinaikos, seizing dozens of makeshift weaponsincluding pick axes, iron bars and baseball bats.

Cyclist LeMond, associate form in-store pro centers. (Greg LeMond and Jeff Sanchez; Team LeMond Pro Centers) - Daily News Record

Cyclist LeMond, Associate Form In-Store Pro Centers

Champion cyclist Greg LeMond, in conjunction with long-time associate Jeff Sanchez, has formed Team LeMond Pro Centers, an in-store cycle shop available to retail stores nationwide. The store-within-a-store concept will feature cycling apparel and accessories, as well as a full line of bicycles.

A performance apparel collection available in the 'cycling boutique' includes cycle shorts, jerseys, gloves, shoes, socks, fleece separates and a full line of equipment, accessories and other cycling paraphernalia. All carry the Team LeMond label and are competitively priced.

The bicycles, displayed independently from the 24-square-foot Team LeMond merchandise area, range in price from $600 to $3,000 and are hand-crafted by Roland Della Santa of Reno, who designed LeMond's first racing bicycle 12 years ago.

'We just found that the equipment the professionals were using wasn't available to the recreational cyclist,' said founder and general manager Sanchez, who operates a bike shop in Reno. 'Now it is. This is a way for some general equipment bike stores to have a focus.'

Currently, 75 cycling retail stores from California to New York have purchased the LeMond Pro Center concept, according to Sanchez.

A prototype of the Team LeMond Pro Center was first displayed last January at abike trade show in Long Beach, Ca. More than 40 dealers decided to carry the line of products at that time. Another 30 stores purchased the boutique idea in February at the New York show.

'Our goal is to pick up 100 stores in the first year,' said Sanchez. 'The cost has been more than we thought ($50,000 to exhibit at the two bike shows, for example), but the response has been more than we expected, too.'

According to Sanchez, the new company's long-term goal is to place shops in 250 retail stores. No mail or specialty orders will be available. Sanchez added that there has also been retail interest in Japan.

A portion of the proceeds from Team LeMond ProCenters will benefit the sport of cycling. Three per cent of the revenues will be distributed to four areas of cycling within the market area of each retail store. In order, the monies will be disbursed to help develop racing programs, senior cycling development, local racing clubs and general community cycling.

LeMond, who is under contract to several companies including Puma (footwear and apparel), Huffy (bicycles) and Avocet (saddles), is recovering from a near-fatal hunting accident April 20 incurred on the family ranch near Sacramento, Calif.

From A&P to the NBA; Wolves' Johnson bagged grocery career and made it to the pros.(SPORTS)(Patrick Reusse) - Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)

Byline: Patrick Reusse; Staff Writer

Los Angeles, Calif. -- Camron Pitcher is a United States probation officer. He lives with his wife and three kids - 9, 4 and 1 - in the L.A. suburb of Corona.

Pitcher handles people accused of white-collar crimes. He monitors their cases before they have been convicted.

He took the job with the Feds after serving as a probation officer for the state of Missouri in Kansas City. There, he was dealing with dangerous felons - murderers, rapists, armed robbers.

'I took this job, and we came out here with our family in 2001,' Pitcher said. 'I'm not going to leave here unless my job forces it. The beach is 45 minutes in one direction and there's snow in the mountains 45 minutes in the other direction. You couldn't ask for anything more.'

Pitcher has older generations of his family in both Southern California and Louisiana. He was born here and then moved to Louisiana at age 7.

He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, La., in 1988. 'We were the Rebels,' he said. 'Our mascot carried around a Confederate flag.'

Pitcher is black. He played football and wrestled for the Rebels, with that flag waving high. He chuckles slightly now and says: 'We caught flak from the other schools, but I guess it didn't occur to us to make a big issue out of it back then.'

In May 1988, Pitcher went to work at an A&P store in Baton Rouge. It was part of a summer jobs program for minority youth. There was a young full-time employee called 'Slim' by everyone who worked in the store.

'Slim Johnson,' Pitcher said. 'I worked with him for 3 1/2 months, until the end of August, and I don't think I ever heard anyone call him Ervin.

'There wasn't a day that went by when he didn't get asked, `Young man, do you play basketball?' And if it wasn't that, it was, `Son, how tall are you?'

'With him, it was always, `Yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir and no sir.' He would say, `No ma'am, I don't play basketball,' and the reply always was, `Well, you should.'

'Slim told me that he didn't like basketball. He was a very religious young man. He would talk about studying theology. I thought for sure he would wind up being a minister.'

Pitcher went to a junior college in Kansas at the end of that summer. When he was back in Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving, he went to the A&P store to say hello to Slim and the other employees.

'The ladies there were all excited, telling me, `Didn't you hear? ... Slim went to New Orleans to play basketball,' ' Pitcher said. 'I said, `What are you talking about? He can't play no basketball. He doesn't like basketball.' '

Johnson went to New Orleans and spent the fall of 1988 working on what were playground basketball skills. He enrolled at the University of New Orleans in January 1989.

The next Pitcher heard of Johnson's basketball career came in a college dormitory a while later. A friend walked in and showed him a newspaper story about a college basketball player who had been discovered in a grocery store.

'I said, `I know this guy; I worked side-by-side with him,' ' Pitcher said. 'That's the popular legend in Baton Rouge, that someone from UNO saw him in the store and convinced him to play basketball. The locals like that story better than Ervin calling UNO and talking to a coach.'

Johnson became a star playing for Tim Floyd at UNO. He was the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year and a third-team All-America as a senior in 1993. He was taken by Seattle with the 23rd pick in the first round of the NBA draft.

He started late - turning 26 during his rookie season with the Supersonics - but he's now completing his 11th NBA season and the Timberwolves are his fourth team.

'Camron Pitcher? Yes, I know him,' Johnson said last week. 'He was a football player. He wanted to play college football.'

Pitcher wound up getting a scholarship to a Kansas school, Washburn, where he played football and received a degree in criminal justice.

'I was a Robert Newhouse-sized fullback - 5-foot-8, 215 pounds,' he said. 'Unfortunately, I couldn't run like Newhouse.'

Pitcher last communicated with Johnson a decade ago. Last month, he sent an e-mail to the Star Tribune after reading a story online on the 7-foot center's basketball roots.

'I just want people to know,' Pitcher wrote, 'that everything that is written about him regarding his character and his demeanor, I can say from knowing him back when he was just a tall young man working in a store, that all those good things are true.

'He was 6-foot-11, he towered over everybody, but he didn't look down on anyone. He wouldn't say a mean word or a bad thing about anybody.

'We had a dictator boss at the A&P - Mr. Brown. I saw Slim angry with him, for very good reason, but he always kept it inside. And he wouldn't let the rest of us say a bad word about Mr. Brown.

'It would be 105 degrees and 98 percent humidity, and just to show his power, Mr. Brown would say, `Slim, you and that young fellow go out to the parking lot and round up those carts.' And Slim would do that without a peep, even if there were all the carts the customers could want already in the store.'

Pitcher admits his admiration for Johnson could not change his rooting interest when it came to Monday night's sixth game of the Western Conference finals - Timberwolves vs. Lakers at Staples Center.

'My family, with the L.A. connection ... we still were Lakers fans even when we were living in Louisiana,' Pitcher said. 'Magic Johnson and Showtime. I grew up with that. I want to take my kids to a Lakers championship parade next month. They haven't been to one.'