Operation Hat Trick came about in 2007 when organizers at UNH heard a Boston radio broadcast that challenged listeners to guess what soldiers with head injuries most often asked for upon their return to the United States. The answer was simple…Hats.
From the beginning UNH Senior Associate Athletic Director Dot Sheehan knew this program was meant to be bigger than UNH. “Not in a million years would I have thought that this program could or would grow to this point but when a severely burned soldier told me I made him feel almost ‘normal’ by giving him a hat that covered his burns, I knew that OHT was destined for great things.†Now the national program features three designs and each school can elect to sell one, two or all three styles produced by collegiate headwear manufacturer ’47 Brand. The three styles adjustable camouflage and team color versions as well as a stretch fit style in team color— feature the Operation Hat Trick logo as well as the logo of the school. “I am grateful to Collegiate Licensing Company, UNH’s licensing representative, for bringing this program to the national stage,†Sheehan said.
Now, almost five years later, Operation Hat Trick has gone national with more than 30 colleges and universities around the country selling hats to help support the recovery of wounded soldiers and veterans through the VA General Post Fund. Encourage your college or university to participate in this great charity.
Thanks to Don Medine of TCI for telling us about Operation Hat Trick.