Everywhere you look in Orem, you can see evidence that BYU is no longer the only popular university in the valley: Green and gold UV flags hang from local businesses to show their support for the Wolverines, the UV logo has been painted on major intersections in Orem, and a burgeoning number of alumni, students and community members sport UVU gear.
To increase this support, the UVU College Marketing department has worked out a deal with local Wal-Mart and Walgreens stores to allow them to sell licensed UVU apparel.
“In the past you’ve only been able to get UVU apparel at the bookstore, and you still will be able to continue to get great stuff at the bookstore. But like the other universities around the state, we want to get the UVU name and brand out there to people who probably wouldn’t otherwise be making it into the bookstore,” said Justin Davies of the UVU College Marketing department.
“I’m rarely on campus, but I am at Wal-Mart all the time,” said UVU alumnus Tiffany Carter. “I think that a lot of non-traditional students feel this way as well. The bookstore isn’t always open when they are in class or are in the trades building area. I think it makes getting your hands on UVU apparel more easily accessible.”
Having UVU apparel hang next to BYU apparel gives Wal-Mart shoppers more options.
“It’s nice to have more options than just wearing the same old blue shirts from the university down the hill,” said Wal-Mart customer Nicole Hendricks. “I think it’s great that we are seeing more and more support for the Wolverines in the valley.”
Currently, UVU T-shirts are only $5 at the Orem Wal-Mart.
UVU College Marketing is working on getting additional apparel items sold at Wal-Mart and other retail stores in the area.
