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'Finish Strong' Bracelets Being Sold

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

TAMPA - An official supplier of University of South Florida merchandise is selling "Finish Strong" bracelets without the knowledge of the school or Jeff Wagner, who is battling cancer and created the "Finish Strong" slogan.

Two months ago, "Finish Strong" was printed on rubber bracelets and given to USF's football players in honor of Wagner, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia, his second bout with cancer.

Inspired by Wagner, a 1986 USF alumnus, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt asked for his permission to create the bracelets. "Finish Strong" has become a mantra of the team.

Neither Leavitt nor Wagner wanted the bracelets sold commercially, but neither Wagner nor USF has a copyright for "Finish Strong" so Bulls Outfitter, located at 1809 E. Fowler Ave., does not need permission to sell the bracelets.

This week, Bulls Outfitter started selling them for $4.99 each. None of the profits go to cancer research or to the university.

"We had a lot of people asking for them," store manager Barry Brunstein said. "They didn't originate here, so we got them in. We try to stock what people want.

"We've only had them for a few days, but they're selling very well."

Craig Brunstein, owner of Bulls Outfitter, was not available for comment Friday. Barry Brunstein said he was unaware of Jeff Wagner.

USF associate AD Bill McGillis and Wagner said they didn't know the bracelets were being sold until contacted by a Tribune reporter Friday.

"Coach Leavitt asked me if it was OK to make the bracelet and I said whatever will motivate the team," said Wagner, who started signing his name "Finish Strong" four years ago. "I'm not in it for the commercialization, I just wanted to motivate the team.

"I'm just the guy that said it, and Coach Leavitt created the bracelet."

In the past two months, Wagner said hundreds of individuals have asked where they could get a bracelet, but he told them they weren't for sale. "I'm just trying to motivate the team," Wagner said. "I don't know what to say."

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