Second Christmas? Ohio State fans buying up national championship merchandise

Paul Wells, manager of Academy Sports in Springfield, sets up a display of Ohio State National Champions merchandise near the store's entrance Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Paul Wells, manager of Academy Sports in Springfield, sets up a display of Ohio State National Champions merchandise near the store's entrance Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

When your team wins it all, you kinda have to let people know, right?

Local sporting goods stores welcomed Ohio State fans with open arms Tuesday morning, as they looked to scoop up anything with the words “Buckeyes” and “national champions” on it.

OSU football defeated Notre Dame 34-23 on Monday night to win its first national championship in 10 years, and its third undisputed title this century — joining Alabama as the only schools who can make that claim.

Paul Wells, manager at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Springfield, said Ohio State gear has been a draw not just Tuesday, but throughout the month-long expanded playoffs.

“It’s been tremendously a pickup,” Wells said. “As we hit the snow season, that started to keep people away, but then people kept coming for Ohio State merch.”

Wells said his store at 1690 North Bechtle Ave. received the OSU championship products in advance, but obviously had to hold off on selling it until after the Buckeyes won.

“We have tons of T-shirts, hats, lanyards … we have everything you could need,” Wells said.

Maddie Lyday looks over a "National Champs" shirt as she shops for Ohio State National Champions merchandise at Academy Sports in Springfield Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Credit: Bill Lackey

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