Looking Back to Look Forward

Hello! I’m Justine Burdette – the second generation owner of Blue Star Sports Apparel.

Whether you are a long time customer or just browsing and landed on our blog – welcome!

When my dad started Blue Star over 40 years all he wanted to do was sell quality, affordable sports apparel and provide unmatched customer service. He was an athlete and a coach himself and knew the many demands of the role.

I was blessed with parents who encouraged me to pursue my own dreams … and for 20 years I did just that. My career spans numerous industries and I picked up a variety of skills along the way. But what was missing for me is what I saw my parents get to do every day – be in control of their destiny by being entrepreneurs.

So in 2023, I picked up the phone and uttered the words my parents thought they would never hear, “I want to run Blue Star.”

As we move into our second generation of ownership, you can expect the same quality, affordable sports apparel and unmatched customer service we have always provided. 

What to Expect From This Blog:

Yup, you absolutely will find the following on this blog: 

  • Product Showcases/New Items Showcases
  • Athlete/Coach Testimonials
  • Sneak Peaks of Uniform Design Process and New Customization Tools Rollouts
  • Coach Interviews
  • Sports Industry Insights
  • School and Team Spotlights
  • Before and After Transformations
  • Behind-the-Scenes Tours
  • Interactive Polls and Challenges


Additionally, you can follow my honest and open journey as a small business owner. Never did I believe that being an entrepreneur was something I aspired to – and I grew up in a family business! It is my firm belief that sports shape our young people and we have a responsibility to show them all the potential forms their dreams can take. 

Where We Are Currently:

Blue Star Sports Apparel provides sportswears for K-12 schools and organizations. We are marked by our quick turnarounds, top-quality materials, and exceptional customer service.

At Blue Star Sports Apparel, we believe that every athlete, every school, and every customer deserves to feel like they belong. Our personalized approach ensures that you get the high-quality materials and innovative design that will elevate performance. We’re confident in the quality we deliver, and our quick turnarounds ensure you’re always game-ready. 

Committed to Quality

Blue Star Sports Apparel is deeply committed to delivering top-quality sportswear, ensuring athletes,  schools, and organizations experience the very best in performance, comfort, and durability. We ensure that every product—from our custom track singlets to our running shorts—is crafted using premium materials and designed to accommodate diverse body types and sizes to create a united team on and off the field.

Customer Centric

Our unwavering, customer-centric approach is the heart of our business. With over 40 years of industry knowledge and a heritage deeply rooted in the running community, we take the time to truly understand your needs. Our white-glove concierge service allows us to curate tailored selections, sparing coaches from mindlessly scrolling through hundreds of products. We do the heavy lifting for you to give you the time and peace of mind you deserve.

Reliable

Blue Star is renowned for its unwavering reliability, ensuring quick production turnarounds and consistent delivery of premium gear. We are a trusted partner for track and field and cross country programs nationwide. We are dedicated to delivering on our promises, meeting tight deadlines, and providing consistent service to build long-term trust with our coaches.

Personable/Relational

We distinguish ourselves through an attentive, caring, and relational approach to customer service. We take the time to understand each school’s unique aesthetic, fostering genuine connections and building lasting relationships. Whether we are assisting you with custom track uniforms or providing updates throughout the ordering process, Blue Star ensures that every interaction is friendly, supportive, and seamless.

Affordable  

Blue Star remains highly affordable without ever compromising on fabric standards. Our commitment to utilizing top-quality performance materials ensures that athletes receive durable, sublimated gear that easily withstands the rigors of multi-season sports activities. Our ability to balance mid-market affordability and elite quality guarantees exceptional value for your program’s budget.

Inclusive

We demonstrate inclusivity through our core values and daily manufacturing practices. By celebrating the uniqueness of every individual athlete and school, we offer personalized gear for every body type and size to promote a true sense of belonging. Through our inclusive sizing range (XS–3XL) and dedicated men’s and women’s cuts, we ensure that everyone feels welcome and comfortable on race day.

Let’s chat!

First, if you made it to the bottom of this page – thanks for reading. It means the world to me that you would invest your time in getting to know me and Blue Star. 

Second, if you haven’t already, please follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram) and bookmark our website. I only have the capacity to blog 1-2 times per month, but more frequent updates come out through our other channels. We would love to stay connected!

We would love to stay connected! If you are ready to start planning your team’s next look, reach out to our team via our contact and quote form here.

Blue Star Sports Apparel

Blue Star Sports Apparel

Justine Burdette is a strategic communications leader and the second-generation owner of Blue Star Sports Apparel. With a background in economic development and media—including leadership roles at The Right Place, Inc. and MiBiz—she specializes in building data-informed strategies that drive growth and visibility. Today, Justine combines her business acumen with her history as a competitive athlete to provide streamlined, athlete-focused apparel solutions for track and cross country programs.

Share This Post: