Have you received a high school varsity letter or high school letterman jacket? Or, are you on a college team this year and hope to end the season on a high note by receiving a varsity letter? This prestigious monogram, often constructed of felt and moss-stitched chenille, is awarded to high schoolers and college students who are considered outstanding athletes or elite performers. Read on to learn more about varsity letters and, perhaps most importantly, what to do with a varsity letter after graduation.
What is a Varsity Letter?
The varsity letter is a cloth letter that symbolizes school spirit, community pride, and hard work. It’s a milestone achievement for students who’ve made the varsity sports team or excelled in academics or school-related activities like band, robotics, or the debate team. What does a varsity letter mean? It means a high school or college student went above and beyond to excel in their field. To a student, it’s a symbol of their hard work and expertise they can carry with them long after graduation is over.
What Should I Do with a Varisty Letter?
1. Frame Your Varsity Letter
Custom framing your varsity letter allows you to safeguard it while showing off your achievement. An achievement you worked so hard to earn shouldn’t get dirty, damaged, or fade over time. Preserving this achievement in a frame with UV protection will keep it in pristine condition. Best of all, you can hang it next to your high school diploma frame, special awards, or certificate frames to create a handsome wall display of graduation frames.
Handcrafted with deep shadow box mouldings, each Church Hill Classics varsity letter frame has enough depth to accommodate pins, patches, and other small trinkets. Best of all, the frames are constructed with easy-open backs so you can add new pins and patches as you receive them, season after season.
2. Sew it on Your Letterman Jacket
In 1865, Harvard University’s varsity baseball players embroidered the letter “H” to their jerseys, thereby creating the first “letterman jackets.” The trend eventually trickled into high schools with the earliest example appearing in the 1910 Phoenix Union High School yearbook. By 1930, boiled-wool custom varsity jackets with leather sleeves came on the scene. It’s the same style, 90 years later, that we still see in high schools and colleges.
A time-honored tradition that dates back decades, varsity letters and letterman jackets go hand in hand. You may have received a letterman jacket during your time as a student, wearing it on game days or in the halls between classes. If not, you can purchase and customize letterman jackets that feature your school colors online. Traditionally placed on the left chest area of a jacket, sew your varsity letter on yourself or take it to a professional tailor to ensure it’s applied correctly.
3. Add it to a Decorative Piece
Another option for what to do with your varsity letter is to add it to your favorite piece of decor. Get creative and sew a varsity letter and patches onto a throw pillow for your bedroom or living space. Or, attach it to a backpack or travel bag to make your mark. A popular option for showcasing your varsity letter is adding it to a favorite blanket or quilt, to create a nostalgic yet trendy piece. Sewing your varsity letter onto keepsakes is a great way to nod to your alma mater, and create your own unique piece of memorabilia.
4. Put it in Storage
While displaying your varsity letter is a great way to celebrate your achievement, there may come a time when it’s best to put it away in storage. If you’re choosing to pack up your varsity letter, make sure to store it properly to avoid any deterioration over time. Place it in a secure acid-free storage box or envelope in order to protect it from outside elements. Storing your varsity letter is a proactive way to safeguard your memories.
5. Create a Wall Display
Creating a wall display for your varsity letter is an excellent way to spruce up a blank space and showcase your achievements. Start by selecting a location in your home like a hallway, office, or game room. Then, use a combination of frames, shelves, and decor to create an attractive display. Create a gallery wall display of photographs and documents, or showcase various memorabilia like medals, varsity letters, patches, pictures, and pins in a Keepsake Shadow Box frame. Check out our blog on how to decorate blank walls, or read on to find ideas on how to best frame your varsity letter.
Varsity Letter Display Ideas
Customize Your Varsity Letter Shadow Box
There are so many exciting ways to customize your varsity letter shadow box. You get to choose your frame moulding, mats representing your school colors, and embossed insignias in black, silver, or gold. You can even add a personalized silver or gold engraved nameplate or choose to have your state name, class year, or academic interest embossed below your letter. With the seemingly endless customization options, you can create a gift that is truly personalized to showcase your athlete’s achievements along with their personal style.
Choose from our five most popular shadow box mouldings. After selecting your shadow box for varsity letter moulding, decide on top, inner accent, and background mats. You can choose from a wide range of mat colors as well as elegant linen or suede mats.
Whether you received your letter for academics, fine arts, or a sport, you’ll find the perfect insignia to complement your letter. Use our online customization tools to visualize which embossing, gold, silver, or black, works best with your top mat color and what will make the varsity letter pop.
Shop Varsity Letter Frame Options
While these frames are ideal for showcasing students’ athletic and academic achievements, they aren’t just for kids. Varsity letter frames make terrific recognition gifts for parents, mentors, and community leaders who’ve helped raise funds for school clubs or who’ve donated their time or services to student organizations.
Are you shopping for a graduation gift for a high school or college senior? Design a varsity letter shadow box frame they’ll truly appreciate. It’s guaranteed to become a special family keepsake, one they’ll be excited to have hanging in their bedroom, displayed in the family room, or incorporated into the decor of their first apartment.
If you’re an athletic director or coach looking for gifts for your MVPs or graduating seniors, we can create a custom-designed insignia featuring your team mascot or school logo. For more information, fill out our Varsity Letter form and our sales team will be in touch to help you navigate creating your custom varsity letter frame!
