Aug. 24, 2010
Click Here To Buy Your Got Banners? T-Shirt | Join Riptide
MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine fans will no longer have to tell their rivals how great the Waves are because they'll be wearing a t-shirt that does that for them.
Beginning this school year, Pepperdine Athletics will be selling a shirt that on its front asks the simple question, Got Banners? And on the back, the shirt showcases the 11 national team championship banners that reside within Firestone Fieldhouse. The list of banners recognize the 1978, 1985, 1986, 1992 and 2005 men's volleyball teams, the 1992 baseball squad, the 1997 men's golf and men's water polo clubs and the 2006 men's tennis team, all of which won NCAA Championships. Additionally, banners touting the now-defunct football team's 1947 small college title and the men's tennis squad's 1952 NAIA crown appear above the shirt's tail.
"Anyone connected with the school should want this shirt and I think it will unify our current students and their parents to our large alumni base," Pepperdine Events and Promotions Coordinator Kevin Borzenski said. "The Waves have won national titles in almost every decade dating back to the 1940's, so there's probably a team listed here that many of our alums will identify and connect with again."
The bright orange t-shirt, emblazoned with the school's classic wave logo, will cost $15 and be made available at the Seaver College bookstore, WaveWare booths at all home ticketed events and online through Team Fan Shop. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will fund Riptide, the student spirit club for Pepperdine Athletics.
Students who wish to join Riptide can either apply online via its link at PepperdineSports.com or visit its booth at the New Student Orientation's "Wave Expo" on Thursday, Aug. 26 at Alumni Park (12-1:30 p.m.). The first opportunity for returning Riptide members to pick up their shirt will be after Convocation Chapel on Wednesday, Sept. 1 in the Firestone Fieldhouse plaza.
Organized in the late 1990's to better support Pepperdine sports teams, Riptide has become the largest student organization on campus (750 members and counting). Members pride themselves on creating a hostile environment for opposing teams while still being ambassadors of sportsmanship as fans. A part of Pepperdine's Inter Club Council, all students wanting to get involved in campus life are encouraged to become active Riptide members.
Additional Riptide benefits include reserved seating for all men's basketball home games, free posters, giveaways and prizes and more, inclusion in the most honored Pepperdine traditions and exclusive access to Riptide road trips and parties.
Since Riptide is a self-sufficient organization, members must pay a one-time fee when signing up. All membership fee money pays for the yearly Riptide shirt, giveaways, tailgates, and local road trips. Freshman can join at the $45 level, sophomores - $40, juniors - $30, seniors - $20 and grad students - $30.
