BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Linda LaZar

It looks like we’re in for a good show. In the true sense of sports

and competition, there is a new business team in town that plan to battle

it out off the field with the leading sporting goods stores to become one

of “Glendale’s Best.”

Longtime Glendale resident Mike Hailey and his business partner, Jesse

Rodriguez, just opened a sports store in the former location of Haugen’s

Sporting Goods. When Haugen’s went out of business in September after 40

years, Los Angeles-based Rainbow Awards, with Hailey and Rodriguez,

decided to move in, opening 101 Sports and adding sports equipment to

Rainbow Awards’ customary lineup of sports uniforms and trophies.

101 Sports specializes in baseball, softball, and basketball equipment

and uniforms. The store provides custom uniforms for all sports and all

levels. 101 Sports also offers awards, plaques, medals and even banners.

Silk screening and embroidery is also available on all sorts of items,

such as shirts, jackets, hats, towels, sports bags, travel bags, etc.

Logo design can be done for teams, businesses and organizations. 101

Sports caters to schools and community organizations, and will work to

provide quality printed or embroidered items to fit any budget. The shop

also provides teams with “fill-in” jerseys or uniforms to match what the

rest of the team is wearing, and provides printed merchandise within a

few days rather than weeks.

A unique feature of 101 Sports is it produces its own brand of team

uniforms in any style and any color. Uniform samples are displayed in the

store detailing the diversity and originality of the product. Trophies

are provided on the spot.

101 Sports seems to be an all-in-one store for team sports. Rodriguez

and Hailey want to provide teams with help from the beginning of the

season with equipment and uniforms, and they will be available at the end

of the season to provide awards and trophies.

Glendale resident Louie Tapia, who is a Hoover High graduate and known

as a sports figure, has joined the 101 Sports team to help where he is

needed. Tapia has been a coach for local little league teams for many

years, as well as a softball player and umpire for several leagues at

many levels. Tapia is coaching the All American Frogs in the Jewel City

Little League.

Mike Hailey is the coordinator for the Glendale Panthers Youth

Basketball Program with Ray Calame and coaches a 13-and-under Panthers

AAU representing Glendale in regional basketball. Hailey has also been a

director at the YMCA’s Camp Fox and has been a sport’s official in

football and basketball for over 25 years.

The 101 Sports team see their new business as a challenge. They feel

it can be difficult to successfully operate a small business in the city,

but also feel confident that they will give the larger sporting goods

stores a run for their money. 101 Sports will offer comparable prices and

will give their customers personalized service.

Although 101 Sports got its name from the parent company’s location

off the 101 Freeway in L.A., it is located in Glendale at 1221 W.

Glenoaks Blvd. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9

a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. You can call the store at 244-6111.

LINDA LaZAR writes about local businesses every Friday. Reach her by

writing the News-Press, 111 W. Wilson Ave., Suite 200, Glendale, CA

91203. Or e-mail her at LaZarLinda@aol.com.