School spirit in a shirt

I graduated from Queen's University in 1992. I can't say I have many clothes left over from that time - styles have changed, stuff has worn out, and my taste has evolved. There is one shirt that I'll never give away, though - that's my Queen's sweatshirt, made by Russell Athletic.

I bought that shirt during frosh week in first year. My boyfriend bought one too, in a different colour. Those shirts were about belonging to a new place, showing school spirit, and about leaving home and growing up. I wore my shirt to class, on the weekends, and proudly used it to show off my school loyalty on trips home to Toronto. It got worn a lot in my university years - and I still wear it, even now. Almost 20 years later it's wonderfully broken in, but still in great shape. The thick, warm cotton hasn't frayed or ripped, and has stayed soft and comfortable.

I only have two things in my life from those years - that sweatshirt and my boyfriend (who is now my husband). Turns out both things are keepers. On our next trip to Kingston, we'll be picking up a new Russell Queen's shirt - this time for our son (class of 2025).

T. George
Toronto, ON

"The Common Thread Woven through the Fabric of American Sports."