Champion, a sportswear brand that proudly claims to
have “invented the hoodie”, has recently opened at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets (h/t @LillyMagillys). The store is located on the upper level, near Lacoste. Store hours are Monday to Thursday 10AM – 8PM, Friday to Saturday 10AM – 9PM, and Sunday 10AM – 7PM.
Champion was founded as the “Knickerbocker Knitting Company” in 1919 and produced jerseys for the Michigan Wolverines in the 30s. Also in the 30s, the company was renamed “Champion Knitting Mills Inc.”, producing sweatshirts and hoodies. Champion produced uniforms for all the NBA teams during the 1990s and some NFL teams during the 1970s to the 1990s, for both on-field and retail purposes. It has also produced sportswear for many major colleges. Champion was also the kit manufacturer of the Olympic basketball team that competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Per Champion at the Clarksburg Outlets: “NOW OPEN!!! WHO INVENTED THE HOODIE? As the inventor of the hoodie, Champion set the standard of excellence for all hoodies. Champion invented the hoodie for the sidelines 80+ years ago and today, it continues to be a staple in sports, style and culture. Champion is an authentic, American, athletic wear brand with a proud heritage designing stylish and comfortable solutions for the sidelines, on campus and in the streets for nearly a century.”
Featured photo courtesy of @Champion_Clarksburg on Instagram.