Run Run Away

Question:

Office of the President                                 Champion Athletic Underwear 475 Corporate Square Drive Winston-Salem, NC  27105 Dear Sir or Madam; As an avid runner, skier, climber, and aspiring triathlete, I appreciate the extraordinary comfort and support of the Champion Cool-Jock athletic supporter.  No other product on the market offers as much support in a streamlined minimalistic design comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time.  Under sport tights, they are virtually invisible.  Friends I’ve introduced to the Cool-Jock second my opinion. Why then, is it so difficult to find Cool-Jocks?  To the best of my knowledge, no store in my state presently sells them, although many sell other Champion bras, sportswear, socks, etc.  One large chain has an entire floor-to-ceiling display some 15 feet long devoted to athletic supporters, but no Cool-Jocks. When I’ve had to replace some that wore out after long service in the past, I was forced to buy them mail-order from Road Runner Sports in San Diego. However, recently Road Runner subsituted a private brand which is not nearly as good. Since I am not only an amateur athlete, but also a former running specialty store manager, I am uniquely qualified to comment on this issue.  My store always carried a full line of men’s support products including JB sports briefs and jockstraps.  Since the built-in liners found in most running shorts don’t do an adequate job of support, (and sport tights don’t have anything at all), we found "designer" jockstraps an easy add-on sale, adding $10 to $20 to a $20 shorts purchase.  By displaying one on a mannequin located near the men’s shorts, rather than on a wall with socks and accessories, we sold 50 to 100 a month!  The entire JB (JogBra) line was also available from most other sports retailers in the area.  Therefore, when Champion acquired the JB line, I was surprised to find men’s products disappearing from stores, since we always felt the most negative thing about the JB Max jocks was the female oriented "JogBra" name. I recognize that both retail sales personnel and your sales representatives may be somewhat hesitant to actively promote intimate items such as athletic supporters.  Also, traditional athletic supporters seem to have fallen into disfavor.  But the need and market for advanced technology men’s support products such as the Cool-Jock remains, much as it does for JogBras for women.  It would be a shame to let such a fine product die when there are no viable alternatives in the marketplace.  Yet, your lack of promotion and marketing instinctively tells me that could be a real possibility.  Please don’t leave us unsupported.

Response:

Great letter. We all feel the same way,(Those of us who like these jocks) Did they respond to you??

Response: