NW Valley Times

Big Time Jerseys co-owners Patsy Elmer, center, and daughter Christine Elmer Collins, left, along with GCU student worker Sarah LeDrew display their products. When Patsy Elmer wanted to buy her grandson a Cardinals Noggin Boss hat for Christmas, she contacted company founder Gabe Cooper.

After arriving at Noggin Boss’ Canyon Ventures headquarters on the 27th Avenue campus of Grand Canyon University (GCU), Elmer's attention shifted. With her Big Time Jerseys business expanding beyond the capacity of her Phoenix home, she considered utilizing some of the space at Canyon Ventures.

Under Cooper’s suggestion, Elmer filed an application that was accepted. As Elmer and Christine Elmer Collins, her daughter and CEO, were measuring their new space last month and planning equipment placement, Sarah LeDrew took notice.

Business administration student Sarah LeDrew has been hired part-time as the content strategist for Big Time Jerseys. LeDrew, who completed her freshman year as a business administration major, was conducting a tour of Canyon Ventures but paused to inquire about Elmer and Collins' business plans.

“What was really cool was that I was looking for another additional job for the summer,” said LeDrew. She later asked Canyon Ventures founding director Robert Vera for contact information for Elmer and Collins.

LeDrew has actively sought opportunities since arriving at GCU last fall. She managed much of the IDEA Club’s social media platforms and promoted events such as the Student Marketplace and the Canyon Challenge. Additionally, she assisted fellow students with Instagram content creation and worked for GCU Admissions’ Instagram account under Colangelo College of Business program development specialist Steve Thomas.

LeDrew soon learned that Big Time Jerseys handles customization for various sports teams including GCU’s baseball and basketball teams, Suns, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mercury, University of Arizona football team shops, and foundation auctions—all promoted solely by word of mouth.

“I had a feeling I’d end up working for them,” LeDrew said. She canceled previous plans to meet Patsy Elmer and express her interest in marketing while expanding Big Time’s platform.

“That’s how it started,” said LeDrew. “I’m their first GCU hire.”

Based on Big Time’s growth potential, LeDrew might be one of several future GCU hires. The company also manages jersey specifications during spring training for MLB teams like the Dodgers, Athletics, Reds, Giants, and Padres.

Big Time already boasts a strong alumni base. Collins is a retired Air Force captain who earned her nursing degree at GCU; Dr. Tony Elmer teaches mathematics online at GCU.

The hiring of LeDrew “has attracted a lot of attention,” said Patsy Elmer. Known as “the Godmother” by local clients like the Suns: “And I can already see the writing on the wall. That's why we hired two new sewers.”

Elmer encourages fashion design students interested in learning applique stitching methods to join them.

Elmer's 30-year sewing career includes owning a bridal dress business in Globe before studying illustration at Phoenix College where she met someone needing sewing expertise for customized jerseys—a role she held before taking over Phoenix Alterations from a friend.

Two weeks later Mike Brown contacted her about handling jersey inventory for Wayne Gretzky's fantasy camps—one thousand jerseys—which they completed in four months thanks to Brown supplying materials.

The Suns called shortly after completing Brown's project; without any binding contracts elsewhere; she agreed to work with them leading to starting her own company eventually.

Meanwhile; Le Drew has been posting videos featuring jerseys which have sparked requests custom orders: "It’s so much fun," said Led rew "It just an amazing opportunity ordained by God."

GCU Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]