Lavender continues to be a prominent color in Grand Canyon University (GCU) apparel, as the Lope Shop prepares for Welcome Week. The event will see approximately 17,000 students moving into campus housing for the 2025-26 academic year, with faculty and families also returning.
The Lope Shop has introduced new T-shirt designs for this year. Many lavender sweatshirts now feature block lettering that reads “Grand Canyon” over “University” in white, replacing previous designs with the “speed” GCU logo. Gray sweatshirts have also adopted the new style. However, sweatshirts with the “running Lope” above the speed GCU logo remain available.
According to Garrett Miller, operations manager at the Lope Shop, lavender apparel became highly popular shortly after its introduction following the fall 2023 semester and remains in demand, especially quarter zip pullover sweaters for both men and women.
“It (lavender) just keeps getting hotter,” said Shelly Schrimpf, assistant director of campus retail and licensing at GCU.
Schrimpf noted that Champion brand T-shirts and hoodies with stitched satin lettering continue to be strong sellers. The Nike collection has also been updated for this season.
Additionally, four faith-based T-shirts will debut during Welcome Week, along with seminary apparel in the College of Theology section.
Beyond clothing items featuring Grand Canyon University branding, the Lope Shop is expanding its offerings. Schrimpf explained: “We spent a lot of our new money in plants, games, stress-relievers and room supplies, and a small collection of that to see if there’s a need for that on campus. So that’s where we brought in most of our new vendors.”
To help students cope with high temperatures during Welcome Week, about 500 Blubandoo cooling towels will be available for purchase. These towels activate a cooling effect when dipped in water. Miller said tubs of ice water will be placed near the store entrance so customers can use their Blubandoo towels immediately.
Students concerned about losing their building entry fobs can purchase FobMate—a device that attaches fobs to cell phones—created by GCU senior Cody Cash. Cash won both the spring 2025 Canyon Challenge and People’s Choice Award with his invention. This marks the first time the Lope Shop has collaborated with a Canyon Challenge winner.
Cash developed FobMate after experiencing issues misplacing his keys on campus after transferring from Schreiner University near Austin, Texas.
In response to student feedback collected through research by OnCampus Research for the National Association of College Stores regarding student consumer behavior trends, several new products designed to alleviate stress are now available at the shop.
“We brought in fidgeties and toys and things that make them feel good when they’re in their dorms – plants, lights, things like that,” Schrimpf said.
Other additions include Fun in Motion toys such as Mozi rings—which spin up a person’s arm—Glozi (a glow-in-the-dark version), Spinballs poi balls featuring multiple colors; Hugarounds microwave-safe stuffed animals intended to provide comfort; Leafjoy low-maintenance plants suitable for dorm rooms; and an Ink’d Greetings kiosk moved closer to the front of the store after being painted lavender last month. The kiosk allows customers to print customizable greeting cards and is connected to GCU through alumna Autum Prudohome who serves as chief operations officer at Ink’d Greetings.
During Welcome Week hours are extended: Monday-Tuesday from 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Wednesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday-Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., while Sunday and Labor Day Monday remain closed.
