Yard Sales Add Extra Cash

With budget cuts on the horizon, extra cash is something that is hard to find these days in athletic departments. However, some departments may be sitting on a potential cash source that they may have never considered. Tucked away in coach storage closets and in equipment rooms around the nation are boxes full of old uniforms, hats, and other game-worn items that many fans or collectors find attractive. One way to generate a few needed dollars is to take these old items and have an old-fashioned yard sale.

Cornell University: The Big Red Athletic Department held their annual athletics yard sale last month by offering gear from most of their varsity sports including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey items. The event, which was open to the public, not only raises a little extra cash for the department, but also clears out closets and space in equipment rooms.

UNLV: The Running Rebels, after agreeing to an exclusive deal with Nike recently, had a recent yard sale to unload old coaches shirts and practice apparel. Prices for the equipment will range from $1 t0 $50.

Other universities are getting in on the action as well with UMass having held similar events in the past, and smaller schools such as Peace College of North Carolina getting in on the action too. Departments could take advantage of the success of these events by creating a donor event in conjunction with the yard sale, or giving donors first crack at the gear.