A South Bay Volleyball Story

(written for the "Jumper", the California Beach Volleyball Association Newsletter)

by Denny Smith

Bill Sigler, a AAA volleyball player, also owns Smack Sportswear, a home grown beach apparel company. I sat down in his "Trump Towers West" office in Manhattan Beach and talked a bit about his way of making volleyball a career.

Jumper: How long have you been involved with the company?

Bill: In 1994 I started making hats for friends on the beach. The hats sold so quickly that I decided to sell t-shirts. My initial goal was never to start a company, just fill a need. As demand grew, so did my thoughts about starting a company that focused on creating functional, stylish clothing that captured the soul of Southern California.

J: How has the business changed?

B: Mainly in style and image. With fabrics and designs, there are so many more options out there now. This summer we will use a new stretch nylon. It allows for a greater range of motion (less constriction), and I think the athletes will like the quality. Also, all our employees play volleyball and live within a mile of the beach... this has helped create a grass-roots, authentic So. Cal. image which our customers feel a part of when they where our apparel.

J: How has the internet helped?

B: It has really expanded our business. Besides setting up a store and selling directly to consumers all over the world, we are also now outfitting volleyball teams in places like Australia, Japan, and Europe (not to mention all over the U.S.)

J: Who are some players you have sponsored?

B: We have supported more players on the pro tour than any other apparel company, some of which include Jose Loiola, Dax Holdren, Tim Hovland, Albert Hanneman, Henry Russell, Adam Jewell, Mark Kerins, Eduardo Bacil, and many others. We sponsored our first females athletes in 2000 É it was great seeing Nancy Mason and Rachel Wacholder do so well in the Hermosa Beach Bash last year. We look forward to continuing our support for these athletes and the sport of volleyball.

J: What are you looking for when you decide to sponsor a player?

B: We want athletes that are articulate, outgoing, and at all times a good representative of the company.

J: How have you helped in the community?

B: Smack organizes many events throughout the year in which we donate a large portion of the profits to various charities such as Heal The Bay and the Richstone Foundation for underprivileged youth. We also have given prizes (at one time or another) to over 75% of all the CBVA sites.

J: Why have you lasted?

B: Something I learned playing in CBVA tourneys - determination and passion. I love the sport of volleyball and hope to continue providing stylish, functional, authentic clothing that allows athletes from around the world to share in our Southern California lifestyle.

J: What about the future?

B: The reason why we've lasted all these years in a very competitive market is because we have stayed grounded in the Southern California "beach look". You will find our product in specialty stores, not the large mall chain stores. So our future will stay in this direction. Perhaps we may build an indoor volleyball facility with sand courts. Perhaps a few NFL or NHL players may be a part of our future. Who knows, but our plans to continue moving forward with authentic beach and team apparel will never change.

J: OK I had to ask, are you using those sweat shops we hear about?

B: No way! All our products are sewn here in Southern California.

J: Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers.

B: Just thanks... thanks for supporting our grass-roots efforts. (Oh yeah, and also check out www.smacksportswear.com's online store for some great deals).

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