One product at Balfour that is popular for women of all ages is Glitter Gear apparel. A Norman manufacturer makes high-end attire for women and children that feature real Swarovski Crystals in Sooner themes.

Glitter Gear President Toby Hammer said the company was one of the first to create this type of spirit apparel starting about 10 years ago.

"We're bringing high fashion to the college apparel market," he said. "And women were tired of wearing boxy guy shirts, and we put real Swarovski Crystals on the high-fashion, high-end clothes."

The company started to fill the need for something more fashionable, Hammer said.

"The thought process was to wear something to the game that you can wear to a steak dinner after," he said.

The company has spawned some copy cats, too.

"We're pretty confident we were one of the first to put crystals on shirts," Hammer said. But he said Glitter Gear is the only company he knows of that uses authentic Swarovski Crystals and not imitation sparkles.

Although it started off with OU, the company is licensed to make products featuring 32 schools and colleges across the country, Hammer said.

Glitter Gear products are sold in several local collegiate apparel stores and boutiques. Products retail for about $35-$45.

All official OU spirit gear is required to pay a royalty to OU for use of the logo. That's roughly 10 percent of the wholesale price, Hammer said.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com