As part of The Duck Store’s Proudly Oregon initiative, we’re highlighting businesses we work with who are based in our home state. Richardson Sports is one of our primary providers of hats, beanies and other headwear, and they’re about a 15-minute drive from campus. We spoke with Derek Jensen, Richardson’s Sales Director, about their company and their roots in Oregon.
The Duck Store: Can you tell us about the history of Richardson Sports? How did the company get started?
Derek Jensen: We got our start in the late 60’s when Howard Wicklund and Neil Richardson opened up shop in Eugene, Oregon. Originally we operated as a wholesale distributor of sporting goods, mostly regionally in the PNW. Then, in 1970, the Richardson family purchased the company and Richardson Sports was born. Over the next 10 years baseball became a bigger part of our company. The cap market exploded in the early 90s, and we were able to play a big part in it. It was at that time we began moving out of sporting goods, and into focusing on just headwear. Originally we were known for being the best on field baseball cap supplier, but over time have expanded into the collegiate and other retail markets.
TDS: What do you value about doing business in Oregon?
DJ: It’s our home. It’s where we’ve always been since the get go. And while we sell hats throughout the US and internationally, there’s always something a little special about seeing folks wearing your hats you know they picked up at local dealer or retailer.
TDS: We always love to do business with companies that have a connection to the UO. Are there a lot of Oregon fans at Richardson? Yes, there is a correct way to answer this.
DJ: Kelly Richardson’s a Duck, I’m a Duck, and we employ a great deal of recent grads in our customer service and art departments. Let alone most of our coworkers are local and have some affinity for the team whether they went to school here or not. I’ve been told we do have a decent amount of people partial to that other school as well…but I try to ignore that.
TDS: What is unique about your relationship with The Duck Store?
DJ: It’s really the people we’ve been able to work with. I think there would be a natural fit either way, with a university with a successful athletic program and a national following, and a headwear company headquartered in the same town. But I would also say the teamwork and programs created by individuals both here and at The Duck Store have made this an even more successful pairing.
TDS: We know you serve customers across the country. Tell us about your business beyond the collegiate market.
DJ: We’re a baseball company at heart. And that’s where we still spend a lot of time. Ever played baseball? In College? High School? When you were a kid? There’s a real good chance you’ve been wearing our caps for some time already. The popularity of our 112 Trucker hat has definitely pushed us into other markets, most corporate ad specialty resellers. And just this year we came out with our first Outdoor Performance line, aimed at bringing everything we’ve accomplished in performance baseball to a new market of outdoor adventurers everywhere. When it comes to hats, if you can make a hat for the most demanding of consumers; a kid in Florida playing baseball in July in 100 degree weather and humidity, the rest should be easy….
TDS: Being hyper-focused on the headwear industry, what trends have you seen in recent years?
DJ: It’s all about quality and fit. People are starting to realize that a hat is only as good as its fit. And there is a want to continue to move into lighter more functional styles and builds. So the need to want to look good, and also use a hat as a companion piece that fits your lifestyle. That’s really where our new Outdoor Performance line comes from. But it’ll always come back to fit. There’s some very successful custom apparel manufacturers out there that came on the scene and made consumers more demanding on how their T Shirts fit and how their Hoodies fit, and we’re always striving for that to be our calling card in the hat game.
Shop our collection of Richardson Hats here.
Oregon’s entrepreneurial streak runs deep. You know our biggest brands like Nike and Columbia Sportswear. And we’re also home to established businesses and start-ups covering industries from electric vehicles to food & beverage. For nearly 100 years, The Duck Store has had a front row seat to the enthusiasm, hard work and conviction that drives our local businesses, artists and people. We’re also proud to play a role in their stories. Through our Proudly Oregon initiative we’re sharing those stories and their products with you. Shop the Proudly Oregon collection here.