Beloved sweatshirt giveaway turns 15 while leaving an impression on campus and students alike
By 2011, about midway through his term as chancellor of UC Irvine, Michael Drake had seen enough. He and another campus leader, Michael R. Gottfredson, then executive vice chancellor and provost, decided to do something about the sea of sweatshirts students were wearing that usually bore the logos of other well-known Southern California universities. And thus, a cherished campus tradition was born: free UC Irvine sweatshirts for new students.
All incoming Anteaters – including transfers – enrolled in a degree program get a limited-edition sweatshirt bearing the current year and varying slogans and colors – such as an image of Peter the Anteater peeking out of a pocket or “ ’Eater Nation” emblazoned on a sleeve. This fall, the navy blue sweatshirts commemorate the university’s 60th anniversary with an embroidered logo on the hood.
“It’s the Aston Martin of sweatshirts,” says Kat Wong, associate director of student engagement at the UC Irvine Alumni Association, noting the hoodie’s $90 retail value. (The sweatshirts, made of a cotton-polyester blend with appliqued words and logos, are only available as giveaways to qualified students and are not for purchase.) Wong previously was the clothing and gift buyer at the campus bookstore and had a hand in creating many of the sweatshirts. “I put a lot of love into the designs,” she says.
“It made me feel welcomed. It wasn’t just about giving out sweatshirts. It was about building community.”
Students, alums and campus officials say the giveaways, which mostly take place during Welcome Week, have been critical to building UC Irvine affinity and pride.
“Whenever I walk around campus, I’m delighted to see so many of our students proudly displaying that they attend this great university,” says Chancellor Howard Gillman. “And now many of our alumni are also sporting UC Irvine’s name and proclaiming their membership in our Anteater community.”
The giveaways have become a cultural touchpoint for entering Anteaters. This fall, more than 100 alumni will hand out 8,500 sweatshirts over several days at the Newkirk Alumni Center.
Calvin Tran ’18 volunteered last year and recalls the significance of receiving his sweatshirt in 2016.
“Growing up in a low-income household, most of my clothes were hand-me-downs. I rarely had anything brand-new. So when I got the sweatshirt, it wasn’t just about school spirit. It felt like a real gift,” he says. “More than that, it made me feel welcomed. It wasn’t just about giving out sweatshirts. It was about building community.”
Tran, who had a buzz cut at the time, also quips that the hoodie was practical too, as it kept his head warm in the winter.
Senior Sacred Moseley, the incoming UC Irvine Student Alumni Association president, has worn her oversized, heather-grey 2022 sweatshirt nearly daily while living on campus.
“Honestly,” she says, “it’s one of our most important traditions in terms of student life. It helps students really feel they’re part of the campus without having to try too hard.”
In launching the now 15-year-old practice, Drake tasked Ramona Agrela, who was then associate chancellor and chief of staff, with securing the sweatshirts. She found gift funds to make it happen; University Advancement now pays for them.
Says Agrela, currently UC Irvine’s vice chancellor and chief human resources officer: “These days, everyone is wearing a UC Irvine sweatshirt. The original vision has been realized.”
