Star Wars and College Sports: A Force to be Reckoned With

By Dan Norman and Dylan Buboltz

The series of Star Wars movies have created a cultural phenomenon unparalleled in the entertainment industry. The series spans over multiple decades and has created a multi-generational fan base that is so consumed in the movies that their interest seems to be never ending. The fandom behind the Star Wars series created multiple opportunities for marketers to cash in. Clothing, toys, video games, books and other merchandise have seen revenue in billions of dollars.

College sports is a multi-billion dollar industry that comes with its own cultural experience. Hundreds of thousands of fans remain loyal to their teams whether it’s college football bowl games or the March Madness tournament that seems to entice millions of people each and every year. The chance to fill out a bracket with a possibility of winning millions of dollars keeps viewers engaged so they can watch each and every game hoping for their brackets to remain perfect. According to USA Today the odds of a perfect NCAA tournament bracket is 1 in 92 quintillion, yet fans across the country remain engaged in the hopes that they can win some money.

Last year an idea to pair two multibillion-dollar industries with fashion formed an amazing opportunity. The pairing of the NCAA and the Star Wars series created a unique line of clothing and merchandise that combined the two. Many power conference schools, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison started to see their mascots or school names paired with noticeable Star Wars characters. The idea posed as a win-win for both universities and the Star Wars series for multiple reasons. Awareness of the Star Wars series throughout college campuses allowed people to see the brand worn by other students and also the images on nationally broadcast games. The NCAA also benefited because the merchandise sold used the names of their universities.

Why has this clothing line been around for only certain schools?
Dr. Bryan Carr, an Assistant Professor for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Communication department, believes that the clothing line targets power conferences such as the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, Pac 12, and the ACC. Carr also credits Disney, the owner of Star Wars, for knowing that the popular conferences and their students and fans would generate the most attention and revenue.

So what about relatively smaller schools and their thoughts on the clothing line? While UWGB is not a part of the clothing line, Dakota Orlich, a senior communication major at UWGB, loves the overall idea the clothing line brings. “I think the college shirts make it easier for fans to support two causes at once! And I think they’re cute actually.” Orlich also credits this being a good time to buy it with the new Star Wars movie coming out Dec. 18. Orlich states, “With the new movie coming out, I think it’s a great way to amp excitement for both the school and the clothing line.”

For the clothing line itself, Carr sees opportunity if UWGB considered a possible Star Wars clothing line. Carr mentions that the UWGB Phoenix academic logo looks very similar to that of the Rebel Alliance from Star Wars. Carr also mentions that UWGB could put together a design contest where students would mash Star Wars with the UWGB academic logo as a possible clothing line if the university wanted to implement a Star Wars clothing line of their own.

                     

The upcoming Star Wars movie “The Force Awakens” has created a buzz among Star Wars fans because it has been 10 years since the last movie which fans believed would be the last fixture of the series. After reading multiple reviews of the previous two films I found a lot of negativity and a sense of disappointment with those films. A particular blog article posted by a user named Chefelf was titled “91 reasons to hate Revenge of the Sith.” Chefelf mentions multiple fight scenes in the movie stating that while some of them were impressive, many seemed meaningless and hard to follow. Chefelf also points out certain features including the apparent stupidity of battle droids that in previous movies seemed to be intelligent and had become more impressive until the “Revenge of the Sith.”Chefelf among other fan reviews seemed disappointed by the previous two movies of the 2000s which placed a sense of nervousness that the 2015 movie may be another “disappointment.”

College students who lacked exposure and interest in the first few Star Wars films may not be experiencing the level of excitement for the upcoming film. The pairing of arguably the most famous movie series of all time and college athletics creates an opportunity to entice the likes of avid fan, non-fans and increase the popularity of excitement for lifelong fans. Lee Rice, a senior at Northern Michigan University and big fan of the Star Wars trilogy had no idea of the Star Wars and college universities apparel and merchandise but he stated, “If there were options for Northern I would definitely be interested in purchasing something.” The marketing idea seemed like a good opportunity in Rice’s eyes, “I believe it’s a great idea to pair the two, and it is a win-win for both the series, and the schools.”

Not all college sports fans agree with the pairing of Star Wars characters and universities for merchandise purposes. Aaron Sussman, a junior at the University of Michigan (one of the universities that sell this merchandise) stated “Generally, I believe sports should stay genuine to what they are and reduce the already turbulent flow of media association with sports.” Sussman is a fan of the Star Wars trilogy and also a huge fan of Michigan athletics but would be unlikely to purchase any of this merchandise. Sussman does believe it is a good marketing technique for the Star Wars trilogy especially with the upcoming movie, but he would prefer the two entities remain separate.

(However, this Storm Trooper and Wolverine combination is pretty cool)

While most movie series don’t apply to multiple generations, Carr credits Star Wars as a series that just about everyone is familiar with. Carr also highlights that there really isn’t another movie series that can have an impact on multiple generations. An example of this is the Darth Vader toaster from the TV sitcom, “The Big Bang Theory.” Carr notes that he finds it interesting that a lot of the universities in the clothing line include Darth Vader on the front of the shirt and that it’s interesting that the universities are associating themselves with the villain, yet arguably, the face of Star Wars.

Whether the stores are wrong with this one or not, piqued interest, they have.

Seasonal jobs for college students

By Sarah Seifert and Taylor Navis

For college students, skimping on Christmas presents for your loved ones is a time-honored holiday tradition. But does a little extra lining in your pocket sound nice? Does your credit score make your mother want to cry? A seasonal job may be the answer.

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1- Retail

Arguably the most popular seasonal job during the holidays, stores like Macy’s, Target, and Kohls are looking to hire more than 60,000 workers during this frantic time, according to the Daily Breeze.

Victoria’s Secret Black Friday at Westfield San Francisco Centre 2009./Steve Rhodes/Flickr Creative Commons

Jenny Day, a senior management and leadership major at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI worked her way up through the ranks at a local Victoria’s Secret for about three years from a temporary seasonal associate to a merchandise supervisor. With Victoria’s Secret new starting pay at $10, it may be beneficial to consider, according to Day.

Day stated, in regards to the benefits of having a part-time seasonal job, “I think it’s nice to have an opportunity, but you aren’t promised a job at the end.  But if you’re looking for something over Christmas break then it’s a good opportunity. It’s just a lot of training that goes into a person for them to leave a few months later.”

The Victoria’s Secret location Day worked at hired college students 95 percent of the time due to the fact it was located in a large college town, according to Day.

Seasonal jobs could also lead to something more permanent as well.

Vanessa Jordan, a senior design arts major at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay had some thoughts on the continuation of a seasonal position. “My sister Abby started as a seasonal employee at JCPenney two years ago and then after the holidays, they asked her to stay permanently as a part-time employee.”

2- UPS or FedEx

If retail doesn’t fit your taste, then maybe delivering cardboard boxes full of Furbies or electronics to your crabby neighbors will entice you.

Yes, it requires some driving around through the snow, but there’s a good chance of getting hired.

With the popularity of online shopping, companies like UPS and FedEx need workers to deliver packages locally. Instead of driving through unfamiliar streets, you’ll get to drive around known areas making the ease of the trips far greater.

According to the Daily Breeze, UPS is looking to hire at least 90,000 seasonal workers while FedEx is only looking to add 5,000.

3- Gift Wrapping

Gift Wrapping Station./Courtesy of Per@vicbcca./ Flickr Creative Commons

Do you love pressing paper into perfect lines and folds?

This is not referring to the art of origami but to the art of gift wrapping. Websites like Pinterest give the average pinner tons of ideas on how to wrap their gifts, and with the holidays just around the corner maybe it’s time to give your wrapping skills a try.

Gift wrappers are needed just about anywhere and are relatively easy to find with sites like CareerBuilder and SimplyHired. And sometimes in your local mall, a gift wrapping “station” is set up and you can wrap gifts for people. However, most of these gift wrapping stations are for volunteers.

4- Offer your own services

This newscast offers some great ideas as well that don’t require you to fill out an application.

Not so seasonal- Grocery/Campus Food Service

Are you a lover of food? Well, your hopes of a seasonal job may be dashed.

Unfortunately not all places offer seasonal jobs. A’viands, the UWGB’s food service on-campus, has not hired seasonal employees. According to A’viands Retail Manager, Daniel Jacques, they haven’t had the need to hire seasonal employees.

After working for Victoria’s Secret for about three years, Day was hired as the night shift lead in the deli at local Festival Foods in La Crosse. However according to Day, “Festival does not have seasonal employees.”

Kassie Laylan, a junior elementary education major at UWGB is also an employee of Festival Foods, however she has a different story. Laylan was first hired by Festival as a seasonal employee because she was away at school. “I would work during the summer and then over break, and eventually I was bumped up to part-time.” Laylan came to the conclusion that it depends on the situation and the location if they have seasonal employees.

There’s plenty of opportunity out there during the holidays! It isn’t just a time for spending, it’s a time to earn experience and maybe a little cash along the way.

 

 

 

Finals Week: Where college students bring multiple tips and experiences to the table

By Dylan Buboltz and Dan Norman

With the holidays around the corner, college students have one last hurdle to overcome before their much anticipated Christmas break. That hurdle: finals week. Every student has their own ways to study, tips they  follow, and previous experiences to guide them through that stressful week.

Photo courtesy of Chris Buboltz

Chris Buboltz, a senior, sport and recreation management major at Marian University (WI), prefers to study for finals the night before every final. Buboltz highlights that he comprehends the information better the night before, and fears of forgetting the material if studying over multiple nights. “While I think studying for multiple nights is effective and has its benefits, studying the night before has helped me in the past. It is definitely works for some and doesn’t work for others.”

Emily Witte, a senior, communication major at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has her own effective ways of studying for finals as well. Some of the tips Witte mentions is that she asks questions to better understand the material. She also mentions about explaining the material to someone who doesn’t know it and that it would show how much she really knows the information.

Photo courtesy Emily Witte

While there are students who may study the night before a final as their approach, there are some students who take studying for finals as a multiple night approach. Allyssa Novak, a senior, communication major at UWGB, takes a different approach to how she prefers studying for finals. “I always make a point to review questions or key points that I’m not as familiar with. Sometimes studying with friends and classmates is also effective. Bouncing ideas off one another is a good source of inspiration.”

Some college students have  received some beneficial tips on how to study for finals as well. Witte has received tips that have helped her in the past. “Make friends with your professors, they will help you succeed,” Witte said.

Studying for finals and having a successful routine can lead students to great success in their educational lives. Kelly Derwinski, a Physical Therapy student at Northwestern continues her studying habits she developed during her undergraduate career at UWGB. “I make a schedule every day for myself of what I need to get done and try and stay on top of all work during the week so I have some free time on the weekend, I also study every night.” Derwinski tends to begin studying before finals so she doesn’t have to cram and learn new material the night before.

Being prepared for finals week and not procrastinating until the night before is very beneficial because students will get better grades, being prepared will also decrease the level of stress that comes with finals week. Derwinski offered her solution for studying for multiple subjects at once, “I would tell students to start studying in advance and switch subjects every few hours. You won’t retain the information if you cram for 10 straight hours.”

Buboltz has also taken tips from upperclassmen throughout the years and has incorporated it into his finals week approach. He talks about the importance of intervals and specifically mentions about studying for an hour and then taking a ten minute break. He also highlights that studying for hours straight doesn’t help him and that he loses focus on the material in hand.

Photo courtesy Allyssa Novak

Like Buboltz, Novak has also received  beneficial tips studying for finals in her own right. Novak mentions “Do whatever you feel comfortable with. Don’t try to take on too much at once. Pace yourself.” Being comfortable and sticking with a routine when studying for finals can make it easier to prepare for finals.

An article posted on the UW Credit Union website offered five tips for coping with the stress of finals week. 1. Create a study schedule, 2. Study strategically, 3. Form a study group, 4. Treat your body right, 5. Picture your success and the end of finals week. Implementing these tips for overcoming stress during finals week would be beneficial for all college students.

Finals week can also be hectic for students that have multiple finals in one week. Novak specifically mentions that it is all about being comfortable and doing what works for the individual. Novak states “Again, do what you feel comfortable with. Create a study schedule and map it all out. I create a strict lesson plan two weeks before finals happen to stay on track.”

Welcome to the stressful life, and good luck during finals week.

Flash’black’ friday: Remember the Furby

By Sarah Seifert and Taylor Navis

After its inception in 1998 and resurrection in 2012, does Generation Y’s favorite toy of the ‘90s, the Furby, still have a market this Black Friday for college students?

The ‘90s ushered in a decade of iconic toys. The New York Post details Beanie Babies’ meteoric rise and fall; the Huffington Post reminisces about Tamagotchis, Polly Pockets, and Easy Bake Ovens. But one of the most polarizing toys of the decade was a chattering Gremlin-like robot with multiple personalities and a voice loud enough to wake the dead. The Furby required a level of attention similar to babysitting a two-year-old, and often sounded like one: giggling, burping, moaning, and screeching if not fed and petted. It featured on children’s Christmas lists and their parents’ nightmares.

Angela Navis, a native of Waupun, Wisconsin, bought her twin girls each a Furby when they were in grade school in 2000. “I don’t think the girls expected them to be so alive. You had to feed them at a certain time and I remember them walking around with them and holding them.” Navis added, “They drove me crazy. I would hear them (the Furbies) talking and didn’t know where it was coming from. I would have to find them because the girls hid them.”

Photo courtesy of Laura Belen Tudela./Flickr Creative Commons

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Furby was the hot gift of 1998’s Black Friday and holiday season. “The Furby originally cost less than $50, but because of great demand, prices soared into the hundreds.”  With its owlish features and an adorably irritating voice, the Furby had all the hallmarks of a classic. In the year following its launch, 27 million Furbies were sold, according to Furby Toy Shop.

“Mark 2” Furbies were released in 2005 with improved facial movements and voice recognition, Furby Toy Shop says. This version wasn’t as successful as its predecessor, however, and by 2007 was rarely seen on Black Friday shelves. Millennials turned to interactive toys like Tickle Me Elmo, and parents everywhere breathed a sigh of relief as the Furby’s nonsensical babbling was put to rest.

But in 2012, Hasbro brought the Furby out of its five-year retirement, according to Marc Graser from Variety. The Furby Boom comes with its own set of updates, an app, and a promise of increased interactivity, according to HNGN. Pop culture sites immediately released strongly-worded reviews. Gizmodo called it “insanity incarnate,” saying, “Furby 2040 is inevitable, and Furby 2012 is a significant step in this dynasty’s evolution.” PCMag cited it “a good update for the Furby aficionado…(but) the novelty wore off just as quickly as it did with the last iteration.”

By its redesign, Hasbro is attempting to market the toy to a completely different audience: the kids of the ‘90s, who are now in college. “A national television campaign will focus on today’s kids. Hasbro will try to sell Furby as a retro toy via Facebook and Twitter to shoppers in their 20s, who were kids when the toy debuted in 1998,” according to Matt Townsend of Bloomberg. But is creating an app enough to reboot a fixture of millennials’ childhoods? Is Hasbro really going to sell Furbies to 20-year-olds?

Cody Von Ruden, a theatre and graphic design double major at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, says if the toy was cheap, he would buy a Furby for nostalgia purposes. His fellow theatre majors Jena Tolksdorf and Abby Stuckey agreed. Even though Stuckey never experienced the toy as a child, she says, “Hearing so much hype about them, I feel like I’d buy one and just keep it in a shoebox and see what would happen.”

The Furby is making a comeback, but not as the comforting robot aimed at children – it’s returning as a pop culture phenomenon. Millennials are embracing the adorably obnoxious robot for its eccentricity, and although it may not be what Hasbro was aiming for, the toys continue to sell.  The newest iteration, 2015’s Wookie Furby tied to the resurrected Star Wars franchise, is part of a $1 billion surge in retail toy sales, says John Kell of Fortune.

Furbacca the Star Wars Furby./podracerdave/Flickr Creative Commons

However, Hasbro’s optimism may be in vain. Not only have toy sales declined in 2012, but even an association with one of the most successful film franchises in history doesn’t seem to be helping sales. Ean Baker, a Target employee, commented on Furbacca. “We haven’t sold many of the [Star Wars] Furbies since their midnight release on September 4.” Baker wasn’t optimistic about Target’s future sales of the Furbacca, either.

If Hasbro’s younger audience is gone, there’s clearly twenty-somethings that will at least buy the toy for old times’ sake. Search “funny Furby videos” on YouTube and thousands of hits appear. There’s something about the Gremlin-like toy’s immature, stubborn charm that appeals to Generation Y, and if Hasbro embraces that image, Furby may re-emerge.