“We want people to feel the power of Ali’s words, draw strength from their meanings."– Champion Design Team
CHAMPION IS BORN
Three members of the Feinbloom family came together with a vision to create a new, exciting sportwear business in Rochester, NY. The company was started in 1919 as Knickerbocker Knitting Mills
CHAMPION SUPPORTS THEIR FIRST TEAM
After developing a line of sweaters and sportswear, Champion partnered with Wentworth Military Academy to provide their school uniform. This would be the first of many teams that Champion supported.
BIRTHDAY OF COLLEGE APPAREL
Champion partnered with Moe's Sport Shop to introduce collegiate sweatshirts and tees with University of Michigan Insignia. This gave birth to collegiate apparel as we know it, including the first ever hooded sweatshirt. The hoodie was designed and developed for practical reasons as a warm up or “sideline” garment for athletes to wear in-between game time or practice sessions.
CHAMPION PATENTS THE REVERSE WEAVE SWEATSHIRT
To overcome the shrinkage that came with frequent washing of sports apparel, Champion invented the world's first engineered sweatshirt. Cut on the grossgrain, the Reverse Weave sweatshirt prevents shrinkage and was quickly picked up by sports teams acoss the US. Invented in 1934, Champion applied for patenting in 1938 which was eventually granted in 1952.