Custom Team Uniforms that Last
Blue Star Sports Apparel has been outfitting track and cross country programs with custom sublimated uniforms since 1982.
About Blue Star
Second generation, woman-owned Michigan company that offers team sports apparel
Blue Star was founded in 1982 by Dave Bartels, a former collegiate runner (4:11 mile at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan) and high school coach (Case High School, Racine, Wisconsin). His wife, Anna, joined the business in 1987.
On June 1, 2023 Anna and Dave “pass the baton” of ownership and management to their eldest daughter, Justine Burdette. Justine shares the love of running with her dad and continues to train on her own. She brings a 20 year career in leadership, business, and strategic vision experience to Blue Star.
Blue Star has been an innovator over the years. We brought to market American-made custom warm ups in the 80s, our own line up of uniforms in the 90s, and were the first to market sublimated uniforms to high school teams in 2000 (before the current wave/craze!). The line up continues to evolve (stock warm-ups, stock and custom uniforms, tents, track equipment, timing devices, specialized hoodies and spiritwear); but one thing is still the same: the highest level of customer service and care.
Justine Burdette
Owner and CEO
Justine Burdette is a strategic communications and business leader known for building brands, shaping narratives, and creating systems that drive meaningful growth. Across her career, she has led organizations and clients through transformation—developing data-informed strategies, elevating visibility, and strengthening connections between businesses, communities, and the people they serve. Her work consistently centers on clarity, trust, and outcomes that are both measurable and human.
Justine’s path to entrepreneurship and leadership at Blue Star Sports Apparel is rooted in both experience and legacy. Raised in this family business, she developed an early understanding of operations, customer relationships, and the discipline required to build something lasting. In elementary school, Justine earned her pocket money by stuffing Blue Star marketing mailers, cleaning silk screens in the art department, and organizing POs! She went on to hold leadership roles in economic development, media, and consulting—including serving as Vice President at The Right Place, Inc. and Associate Publisher at MiBiz—where she led growth strategies, built partnerships, and advanced initiatives that supported businesses and communities across Michigan. Today, as a second-generation owner of Blue Star Sports Apparel, she continues that legacy, helping high school track and cross country programs navigate apparel in a way that is simple, organized, and athlete-focused.
Outside of Blue Star, Justine also founded a coaching business dedicated to supporting women and mothers through life and group coaching, reflecting her commitment to personal growth and community impact. You can find her work at The Magnetic Maverick.
Her connection to the Blue Star is deeply personal. A former middle school and high school cross country and track athlete, Justine understands firsthand the role sports play in shaping confidence, discipline, and identity. Today, she continues that connection as a Girls on the Run coach alongside her daughter—bringing her experience full circle and reinforcing her belief in the power of sport to build strong individuals and communities. Justine continues to volunteer her expertise with organizations like the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, Habitat for Humanity Kent County, and Vibrant Futures.
Terry Hossink
Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer
Terry Hossink is a seasoned operations leader, manufacturer, and community-minded builder whose career has been defined by hard work, practical leadership, and a talent for turning vision into execution. Today, he serves as Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Star Sports Apparel, where he focuses on building scalable systems, aligning teams, and keeping operations moving with clarity and purpose. His leadership style is grounded, straightforward, and people-centered, with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, growth, and building things that last.
Terry’s work ethic started early. In middle school, he mowed lawns in his family’s mobile home park, then moved into construction, pouring concrete, operating heavy equipment, digging trenches, and landscaping. During high school and college, he worked as a cook in a local restaurant. After college, he built a 30-year career in manufacturing, starting as a die setter and growing into roles including supervisor, superintendent, and plant manager. Along the way, he led quoting and process development for new products, negotiated contracts with major automotive customers and suppliers, drove continuous improvement efforts, handled facility planning and scheduling, negotiated union contracts, and supported new product launches. He later spent seven years in economic development, advising manufacturers and helping them improve operations and competitiveness before stepping into his current leadership role at Blue Star Sports Apparel.
In addition to his professional work, Terry has been deeply involved in his community. He has served as a planning commissioner and board member at both the township and county levels and has been active with the Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in life, he brought the same energy and versatility to school activities, participating in soccer, discus, shot put, student council, and theater.
Terry is a husband, father of four daughters, and proud grandfather of nine. Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, camping, reading, and genealogy research. Whether in business, community service, or family life, Terry is known for being a steady hand, a thoughtful strategist, and someone committed to helping people and organizations grow well.
