Championship merch already on deck for Tennessee baseball. Where to get unique Vols gear
If and when Tennessee baseball wins its first College World Series title, Vols championship gear will be available in Knoxville as soon as the morning after.
In the meantime, Tennessee baseball-related T-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, hats and other forms of merch are flying off shelves at Dick’s, as well as at sportswear store HoundDogs of Knoxville and local T-shirt shop Nothing Too Fancy.
HoundDogs manager Jesse Thomason told Knox News "people are just grabbing stuff that’s orange and getting ready to head to Omaha to watch the finals" − a trip that could cost a whopping $12,000 between travel, lodging and tickets.
The best-of-three finals between No. 1 Tennessee and No. 3 Texas A&M runs June 22-24.
When and where can I buy Tennessee baseball championship merch?
HoundDogs already has “tons” of championship merch on order that will be available the morning of June 24 if Tennessee clinches the title in two games. It will be available June 25 if it takes three, Thomason said.
Dick’s also will have championship merch as soon as possible, said Cortny Bean, apparel manager at the company's House of Sport store in Knoxville. The retailer might even have player-specific jerseys, Bean said, but that depends on the store’s vendor partners.
What's some of the most popular Vols merch? Which players stand out?
Regarding player popularity, a Christian Moore shirt is one of the top sellers at Nothing Too Fancy just off Market Square. The business, located at 435 Union Ave., is selling the shirt featuring photos of the promising MLB prospect (and his signature) through a name, image and likeness deal.
There's a limited supply of these shirts, available in adult and kid sizes.
Nothing Too Fancy has a wide selection of Tennessee sports apparel you might not find at other retailers, helping you stand out among fellow Vols fans.
One item that's sure to get you noticed is the giant Tennessee orange hat by Noggin Boss available at Dick’s. Bean has been surprised how well the oversized hats have been selling but noted it’s the perfect item to get signed by players.
College World Series merch on sale ahead of Tennessee vs. Texas A&M
If you can't wait until the Vols win for championship apparel, HoundDogs is selling an orange T-shirt with all the 2024 World Series teams on the back. Dick's House of Sport also has orange World Series merch, along with Tennessee baseball hoodies and jerseys that have been hard to keep in stock.
“I know already we are going to be slammed on Friday night (by) people getting ready,” Bean told Knox News. “Even if they don't go to the game, they’re gonna still be wearing orange. So, we’ll be busy on Friday and Saturday, I have no doubt.”
Where can I buy college baseball World Series merch in Knoxville?
These stores are a great place to start when looking for new Tennessee gear.
Is Vols baseball now just as popular as Tennessee football?
Tennessee baseball has had several successful seasons since Tony Vitello was named head coach in 2017, leading to multiple NCAA regionals, super regionals and College World Series appearances.
The success is a boost to local businesses, as HoundDogs and Nothing Too Fancy have began to notice increased sales during baseball season.
“The last few years it's been pretty, pretty busy. And right now, I mean, it's almost like a football season in here,” Thomason said. “Football is by far the number one, and nothing can stand with it, but baseball's playing a hard second now.”
At Dick’s, sales always increase anytime a University of Tennessee team has a winning streak or reaches a final, Bean said. UT apparel makes up about one-third of the store’s sales.
2024 College World Series finals schedule for Tennessee vs. Texas A&M
Game 1: Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Game 2: Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 24, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball merch on deck for College World Series championship
