By Alejandrina Avila, March 18, 2025
During game nights at Cal Poly Pomona, students are not just showing up to support their teams, they are also scoring vintage jerseys carrying decades of athletic history.
Thrift Thursday began as an unexpected discovery within the athletics department, but it has since grown into a game night staple that attracts students who might not otherwise attend. The event traces back to Sarah Macias, assistant athletics director for marketing and creative services, who uncovered forgotten gear while exploring storage spaces during the pandemic what started as a practical solution has evolved into a beloved campus highlight.
“We had old uniforms that we couldn’t reuse. Either they weren’t complete sets, or they were falling apart,” Macias said. “Rather than letting them out to waste, we decided to sell them at home games as a way to promote attendance.”
For just $10, students can purchase a jersey, while jackets, duffel bags and backpacks are available for $15. It is an affordable way to highlight school spirit and, for some, an opportunity to own a piece of CPP’s athletic legacy.
The jerseys date back to 1980s through the 2010s, according to Nathan Hall, a public relations and communication student, and an athletics department employee who loved the repurposed jerseys from the early 2000s.
“You’re not going to find these at the bookstore,” Hall said. “You don’t realize how much you want one until you have one.”
With sustainability and mindful consumerism gaining traction among the college crowd, the concept of thrifting resonates with students. Many young people are drawn to thrifting not only for its affordability but also for its environmental benefit. Thrifting allows students to express their individuality while making eco-conscious choices making events like thrift Thursday especially appealing.
“It meets the current age group where they are,” Macias said. “It’s also about bridging the gap between students and athletics in a creative way.”
The event has also seen collaboration beyond athletics. The Fashion Society, a club on campus club known for its focus on style and design, partnered with ethics department to create eye catching graphics and promotional materials. Members of the club designed the flyers and helped draw students with graphics and promotion, broadening its appeal said Macias.
For many students, owning a thrifted jersey is about more than just fashion; it is about connection. Aaliyah Akbar, a music industry studies student, picked up a vintage jersey with a nostalgic charm.
Akbar described the item they thrifted as a unique texture, comparing it to a smooth yet slight snake like feel. “It’s fire,” she said praising its distinct quality.
Hall, who has collected multiple jerseys himself understands the appeal, his personal favorite is a jacket from a track-and-field uniform he got from the ‘80s. He describes it as a colorful ‘Y2K’ look, which is a one of a kind of way to share his school spirit by rocking limited edition CPP merchandise.
The funds raised from Thrift Thursday go to the general athletics fund, the real success of the initiative is its impact on school spirit. According to Sarah Macias this event has drawn a more diverse crowd to games including students who may not typically attend athletic events. By offering affordable team gear, Thrift Thursday encourages students to proudly wear CPP colors crating a sense of unity and energy in the stands.
“It’s making the games a better experience,” Macias said.
With each passing game, the supply of jerseys dwindles.
“Everything we have out there is all we have,” Macias said. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
For students looking to claim a piece of CPP’s athletic history, Thrift Thursday is held every Thursday inside Kellogg’s, typically starting at 5 p.m. during Thursday night games.
Feature image courtesy of Alejandrina Avila
