Coaches, Chancellor and Kasey cheer Roo Gear arrival

A crowd of excited UMKC sports fans greeted the arrival of official Roo Gear in local stores with a rally at the Lenexa Kansas Sampler store Wednesday.

Chancellor Leo Morton, several members of the coaching staff, and UMKC mascot Kasey the Kangaroo were on hand for the celebration marking the arrival of official Roo-themed clothing and merchandise at select Kansas Sampler and Rally House stores on both sides of the state line. New men’s basketball coach Kareem Richardson and women’s basketball coach Marsha Frese signed autographs, fans registered for prizes including free season tickets and basketball camp memberships, and Kasey posed for pictures with children and adults.

“This is an exciting step forward for UMKC,” Morton said before the rally. “Our supporters and alumni have asked for UMKC-branded clothes and accessories at off-campus locations for years, and we’re happy to deliver. It’s one thing to have UMKC pride, but it’s another to show it.”

The line will be available online and in the Rally House Plaza location at 452 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo., and the Kansas Sampler near Oak Park Mall. UMKC gear also will continue to be available through the UMKC Bookstore, the Athletics website and the Alumni Association website.

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