Custom Apparel and Trophies with a focus on the community
Sportees offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet diverse customer needs, specializing in custom apparel through screen printing and embroidery. Their expertise extends to crafting high-quality trophies and awards, personalized to each order. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and community involvement, Sportees caters to individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations of all sizes, ensuring every product—from uniforms and promotional items to trophies—reflects their hallmark of excellence and personal touch.
Building relationships
Sportee's Custom Apparel, Trophies & Awards has our own designers to help customize logos and designs for our clients. This service, gives every customer the ability to receive their product exactly how they picture it. More importantly, Sportee's stands out from our competitors because of our emphasis on customer service, whether it be in-house, or in the design and delivery processes. In the past 20+ years, we haven built many relationships with customers, who we now consider family.
History
Sportees Screen Printing and Embroidery began its journey in 1997, born out of a residential basement where founders Tom Harrington and Jack O'Keefe combined their skills to offer customized apparel. Shortly thereafter, they expanded their offerings to include Trophies & Awards, setting the stage for what would become a local institution known for its quality and personal touch.
In 2006, Sportees took a significant step forward by opening a storefront and production warehouse at Utopia Center on Boston Post Road in Waterford, CT. Over time, their business grew, necessitating a move to a larger space within the same plaza, enabling them to handle larger orders more efficiently while maintaining their commitment to personalized service.
In a recent development, Tom Harrington and Jack O'Keefe have decided to pass the torch to new owners, Joe DiBuono and Todd Donovan. This transition marks a new chapter for Sportees. DiBuono and Donovan, both with deep roots in the community and experience in business ventures, see this acquisition as not just a business opportunity but a chance to contribute meaningfully to the community.
Sportees has always been more than just a business; it's been a social hub where customers and friends gather, akin to a local coffee shop. Known for their community spirit, Sportees has supported various local organizations and initiatives over the years. DiBuono and Donovan plan to continue this legacy by organizing events like sidewalk sales that benefit local charities, further embedding Sportees into the fabric of Waterford's community life.
Looking ahead, DiBuono emphasizes that while there will be new faces at the helm, the core values of Sportees—quality apparel, personalized service, and community engagement—will remain unchanged. With their combined vision and respect for Sportees' legacy, DiBuono and Donovan aim to carry forward the traditions established by Harrington and O'Keefe, ensuring that Sportees continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the Waterford community.
