Redhawk Shop Debuts as Campus Store Transition Moves Forward

Seattle University's campus retail operations have entered a new phase this fall, as changes to the university's retail strategy first announced last spring begin to take shape. Campus retail services launched the Redhawk Shop, an online store selling Seattle U's branded apparel and gifts in a joint effort with athletics, following the closure of the physical campus store in June.

The Redhawk Shop opened with a 20% off grand opening sale and is meant to anchor a retail model built around online sales, pop-up events and campus partnerships rather than a physical storefront.

Its merchandise comes through a new Nike partnership, distributed by BSN SPORTS, a shift from the adidas deal that supplied the old campus store. Nike products are only available through the website and will not be sold at pop-ups, which will feature other Redhawk items instead.

Michelle Conklin, director of campus retail services, explained that the office's plans go beyond just moving retail online.

"The goal is not simply to replace the old store with a website," Conklin said. "It is to create a retail experience that reaches students, families, alumni, staff and fans in places where they already are."

The Redhawk Shop has announced a September pop-up schedule, during which the Redhawk Shop will set up temporary tables and displays at events across campus.

Pop-ups are planned for the Fall Welcome Resource Fair at Library Plaza Sept. 15 and Sept. 19, the Student Center's Hub Desk on the first floor from Sept. 16-18 and Sept. 21-23 and 25, a Student Center takeover on Sept. 24, the SGSU barbecue and soccer games at the soccer field on Sept. 26 and the Involvement Fair at Lower Mall on Sept. 29. More locations will be announced throughout the year.

In June, Event Network completely shut down its operations on campus, ending its relationship with campus retail services. The office now directly plans merchandise selection, purchasing, inventory and pop-up events.

The team now includes one new retail student coordinator, Emily Haver, along with student employees who will staff pop-up events. Some students in the role will take on added responsibilities such as ordering the merchandise and managing social media.

Course material sales have not changed operationally. Students still order through eCampus, the same vendor used since fall 2024, and can choose delivery or pickup at SUpercopy on the lower level of the Pigott Pavillion. SUpercopy recently moved back into its remodeled space after operating out of a temporary location over the summer.

According to Haver, SUpercopy will also house a small retail corner run by campus retail services.

"We're going to have an awesome corner for evergreen items such as hats and mugs. At pop-ups, students can expect exclusive items tailored to each quarter," Haver said.

Sarah Barbara Watstein, dean of Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, said the library has continued to play a role in course materials access even as the university has moved away from a physical bookstore.

"The library's commitment to access and affordability has not changed. Our role in raising awareness of course materials' access and supporting access to course materials remains strong," Watstein said.

The library created a new position, access and affordable learning librarian, now held by Heidi Hetzel, to serve as a dedicated resource for students navigating textbook prices. The library continues to purchase high-cost required materials such as ebooks or course reserves when publishers allow it. Sometimes, older editions of an assigned textbook are available at a reduced cost, and students may ask their professor to determine whether an older edition is available for class use. The library also works directly with faculty to reduce material costs.

"We've offered workshops on adapting and developing open educational resources for faculty interested in moving away from traditional textbooks," Hetzel said. "We hope to update and reintroduce those in the future."

Conklin said the university has not ruled out returning to a permanent storefront, but that decision will depend on where a future store could be located. For now, the space remains empty.

"We have considered it; we know we want a physical location. It is just a matter of [which] location and taking the time to consider that," Conklin said.

Campus Retail Services plans to track online store visits, pop-up attendance and sales data throughout the 2026-27 academic year to help inform this decision.