You guys seem to be two totally different guys with different backgrounds, how & when did you guys hook up and start AGame?
CH:  It’s funny but it just seems to happen and fall into place naturally. I met Ron at the gym while playing basketball. One day he walked in the gym and handed me a pair of shorts just to play ball in and wear; I never really understood why. After a few months I started asking questions where did the shorts come from and found out he was getting custom basketball uniforms manufactured and was outfitting teams as a hobby. I asked him to do my Summer Basketball League uniforms and they came out really nice. I gave them to my teammates and they went nuts. At that exact moment a light bulb went off. I felt if I can make my team go crazy, I could make the nation go crazy as well. So I began explaining to him how we could really do some damage in the sports uniforms industry and the rest is history.
RP:  Exactly what Carl said, it was just meant to be. I knew I couldn’t take over the world on my own in my basement. Carl, an executive in sales for a known company, sharp looking guy, plays hard on the basketball court, treats people around him well, and has great friends… I thought if I were to take over this world with, it would be him. Plus I like doing things with other people. Share the journey. I sure am glad I handed Carl one of those 12 free sample shorts that I spent my savings on. Your right, we are totally different but also flexible to be able to relate and speak each other’s language. Not only do we have different background, we have different talents. It’s a great mix. He can focus on what he’s good at and I can focus on what I enjoy for the company. Our first AGame meeting and photo-shoot was in the cycling room of the fitness center we were both members of. He was the model. I said, “wow, this guy is willing to do just about anything”.

How long has the company been in business?
CH:  Close to 3 years now, officially!!!!

Where did you guys come up with such a unique name, AGame?
CH:  I have no idea when and how it happen. It just hit me and seemed to be a perfect fit for us. The great thing about AGame is that it’s said within the sports world all of the time…also, its said within everyday life as well. Being on your AGame is virtual to everything you do in life. AGame equalants to being the best, and bringing the best which embodies everything we are about.  We do what ever it takes to bring our AGame.

What differentiates AGame from all of the competition out there?
CH:  It’s simple, we provide top notch, pro quality uniforms for the best prices in the industry, period. Many customers see teams in our uniforms and think we are super expensive, once they talk to an Account Manager and find out our pricing is better than the poor quality stuff they have been ordering from the competition, they find it too good to be true. Trust us, its true.
RP:  To add to what Carl said, we find that the athletes not only love to wear the AGame Uniforms on the field or in the game but also off the field/court as well. The uniforms, whether basketball or football and anything were going to add in the collection, we make sure the cut and feel is in tune with what style trend of what the youth is wearing.  How the uniforms drop or flow on their body is how they’d want as if they were buying clothes for style. So it’s kind of like adding another piece of outfit in your closet that you can wear in your team game. It’s a brandish uniform sort of say.  I love seeing AGame products on someone walking around the mall, eating with their buddies in a restaurant, in the gyms, at school, basically when they would usually wear a Nike or Jordan product, they slap on AGame shorts...its a great feeling.

Why is that?
CH:  Well we have our very own manufacturers that solely produce AGame products only, which gives us tremendous flexibility to keep our prices extremely competitive but, at the same time producing and sustaining high grade quality uniforms.

How do teams normally react the moment they receive their uniforms?
CH:  I’ve seen players & coaches go crazy. I’ve heard stories about kids sleeping in their game football jerseys (with their name on the back), teams having a special day called “Jersey Day” when they pass them out to the organization.  I’ve had customers bake us cakes and send us thank you cards…we’ve seen and heard it all.

At a time when schools & teams are really watching their spending, how do you continue to grow so fast in this industry?
CH:  It's relatively simple, we offer a very high quality product for an excellent price. Dealing with AGame you get a ton of bang for your buck and at a time when schools and organizations are really keeping a close eye on their spending that’s important. To step up your programs uniforms to something better for less money, makes AGame somewhat Recession Proof!!!!!

Who is AGame’s main customer base?
CH:  All Colleges (Junior to D1), High Schools, Prep Schools, Middle Schools, Organizations, AAU Programs/Teams, Pop Warner/Youth Football Programs, etc….Our main customer base is basically any and everyone that needs uniforms.

Where and how do you come up with the designs?
RP:  It’s always been my passion to design even before dreaming of owning an apparel business; some of it was ideas all through out when I was playing sports all through out my school years. Some are coming from watching and keeping up to date with what the market likes. Watching what NCAA teams come up with and we take that idea and add an AGame twist to it. Carl would tell me an idea; I’d jot it down on paper, if I get a long “ahhhhh mmmmm….” then I go back to the lab. The lab to me could be sitting at the park or playground watching what ball players are wearing and what they like, we pull inspiration from everywhere. 

What makes them different from what we see in the Pro’s or College?
CH:  We are inspired by everything we see...I know with basketball uniforms Ron and our Design Staff take a little something from everything, not just sports uniforms but, things in everyday fashion as well.  Our football designs come from the mind of Paul Novelli; he is constantly looking for whats next in the world of football and always strives to stay ahead of the curve down to the small details like pipeline placement & number fonts....he is AGame Football

How do you stay above the trend level?
RP:  A huge part I think why we’re above the trend is because we act as customers in the market. Carl is a basketball player himself, sports fanatic, has a friend in the NBA, and myself well, I try to play. LOL, I can hold my own out there in the playgrounds. So, knowing that’s a huge part why we are standing above the other companies, we will make sure not to lose touch with keeping up with the trends and embracing the fact that trends do fade, renew, and always search for what’s next.
CH:  With both basketball & football we stay current with the new ways uniforms are cut along with creating designs that have gone unseen in the industry. For example, we just introduced the Form Fit Cut, which is a basketball jersey that is a little more tighter and cut so it’s more snug on your upper body.  That is where the market is going so we embrace that and move along with it.

Where do you see AGame in the next 3 years?
CH:  Really being in a position where customers all over the nation are aware of the caliber of uniforms we produce. Develop offices and manufacturing plants all over the nation. We have huge plans for 2010 and beyond.  In 2010 we will be hosting several BBall Tournaments & Overnight Camps.  We just want to continue marketing through the proper channels and increase the awareness, we really feel & believe once customers see our product it’s a done deal.

What sports are next on the agenda?
CH:  Baseball is coming very soon, we are pretty much ready to launch our baseball line but it’s all about timing & testing the product, making sure it’s right and is top quality. Soccer, Track & Field, Hockey & Lacrosse are all on our target list. I think it’s important to bring the best in every sport but to do so takes time and creativity.

Are there any other business endeavors that AGame is interested in taking on outside the uniform industry?
CH:  2010 plans to be a huge year for us. We are hosting several AAU basketball tournaments between (April-July). We are having an Overnight Team Invitational Basketball Camp in August (which major corporate sponsors will be apart of). The great thing about these events, it gives us a direct tie into our uniforms, which makes everything ultimately under the same umbrella at the end of the day.

Tell us about AGame TV.
CH:  AGame TV gives us an opportunity to show potential customers our product moving  & actually being played in. From College teams to Youth Organizations, AGame TV is a live testimonial.
RP:  I recommend everyone to tune in to AGame TV if they need additional help with decisions. Were so proud of our products, were offering the market another avenue to see the products live and moving on real players , playing real games. Whether it’s a Pop Warner Football Program or a College athlete, you see it all…..