Too Early for Boise State Orange Bowl Prep? Not for Nike

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Pete Kosowski

Sports merchandise giant Nike is preparing Boise State merchandise for potential appearances in the Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Rose bowls.

Don't get too excited: Nike is doing the same for all of its schools with a chance at the Bowl Championship Series.

"As a fan, it's cool for me to be a part of the process. You start getting your hopes up. This is going to be pretty cool," said Travis Hawkes, the owner of the Blue and Orange Store, who visited the Nike campus for a sneak peek at their Fall 2009 like of Boise State merchandise.

While there, he got a look at the bowl game gear.

"It is a weird thing, looking at all the stuff for the different bowl games and realizing this could happen," Hawkes said.

Again.

Nike and Hawkes made similar preparations during the 2006 season as the Broncos headed toward an eventual Fiesta Bowl appearance.

Hawkes said Nike is making plans and, just like all pundits, forecasting the probability of certain teams making certain games. He said Nike's projected order for Boise State is Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Rose.

Hawkes, who has to pre-order items to stock in his store, said he anticipated demands for an appearance in the Orange, Fiesta or Sugar would be slightly less than the 2006 season.

"there's a certain magical thing with the very first time. ...It's going to be huge, massive, but anyone would have to think it would be a little bit less than last time," said Hawkes, who believes a Rose Bowl appearance would have the same kind of "once-in-a-lifetime" appeal that the 2007 Fiesta Bowl did.

Jersey Sales

Hawkes said that No. 11 jerseys have been the hottest seller since that start of the season. No. 11, worn by freshman quarterback Kellen Moore, is now available in blue and orange.

But Hawkes said No. 41 jerseys remain the top seller this year and since June. No. 41, senior tailback Ian Johnson's number, is solidly the second-best selling jersey in the last six weeks, Hawkes said.