Farewell to The Athlete
Home of letter jackets and spirit wear since 1978, owners celebrate a long run heading into the final day for the Lafayette Square mainstay. Plus, some final entries in your BiL Holiday Playlist.
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Today’s lead story is a slice of Lafayette from friend and Based in Lafayette correspondent Ken Thompson.
FAREWELL TO THE ATHLETE
By Ken Thompson / For Based in Lafayette
Tuesday marks the end of a retail era in Lafayette.
The Athlete, a Lafayette Square staple for 46 years, is closing following the sale by owners Joe and Janelle CasaSanta to BSN Sports, an online sporting goods company.
Founded by the late Dick Robinson and Lon Heide in 1978, The Athlete – where generations of high school athletes got prized letter jackets and teams of all ages picked up uniforms and spirit wear – has outlived local competitors such as The Sportsman and Decker’s while serving more than 120 schools in an area that spans from Lafayette to Winamac to Merrillville.
Even as reversible jerseys were being prepared in the shop for elementary basketball teams Monday morning, Joe CasaSanta reflected on his tenure with The Athlete and his future with BSN Sports. Questions and answers are lightly edited for brevity.
Question: Could you tell me a little bit about the history of The Athlete?
Joe CasaSanta: They started out where the driver’s school (Road Star Driving School at 2158 S. 22nd St.) is now. Lon and Dick had The Athlete for 10 years, then Bob and Marilyn Metzger – who I worked for – owned The Athlete for 14 years. Janelle and I have done the last 21. It’s been wonderful.
Question: What finally led to the decision to sell?
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