These retro tees and sweatshirts evoke nostalgia and represent the university's history in a stylish way.

Whether you’re wearing a sweater you pulled out of your parents’ dresser drawer from 20 years ago or sporting one of the latest fashions inspired by the trends of yesteryear, vintage apparel is in demand. And one area where vintage is really trending is in college and university clothing and gear.

ETSU’s popular mascot Bucky has had several “facelifts” (or redesigns) through the years. The university recently introduced an updated version of the beloved “Running Bucky” of the 1970s and ’80s, and he became an instant hit. 

Other historic “ET,” “ETSU” and “Bucs” lettering marks have been pulled out of the vault and have wide appeal. 

“Being able to unlock logos that remind us of iconic moments celebrates our history as we continue to build for the future,” said Barbara Mason, director of trademark licensing in ETSU’s Office of University Marketing and Communications. “These vintage marks evoke a sense of nostalgia for alumni, fans and supporters alike. They represent our strong history in a trendy and stylish way.”

Mason says that while styles change over time, this blend of fashion and nostalgia in retro college apparel is popular with alumni as well as current students. 

“These marks have deep meaning for fans, because they help tell the story of the university and its successful athletic and academic programs,” she said. “Introducing these really cool marks that some people have never seen before is fun. Some alumni remember them from when they were in school or were growing up, and a new generation is growing to love these symbols of the Buccaneer legacy, too.”

Retro Buccaneer apparel is available at

If you love truly vintage apparel and memorabilia, great finds present themselves all around if you know where to look, especially in a college town like Johnson City, according to ETSU alumnus and vintage reseller Caelan Peterson. 

Peterson says garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores and traveling vintage markets can often be places to find period pieces that have been in people’s personal collections for decades.

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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