The Ralph Lauren Polo Lettersweater

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PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand, we are currently our of all new lettersweaters. We expect another shipment of lettersweaters to arrive in July. We do have a limited number of XL and XXL old-style sweaters available for $30. Call 617-495-3535 for more information.

Availability

Any Harvard graduate who has received a Major H for his or her athletic contributions is eligible to purchase a lettersweater. If you order a sweater, the Varsity Club will have to confirm your status as a major H recipient before processing your order.
Note: In order to ensure that the lettersweaters only go those who have received a Major H, Major H recipients are limited to purchasing one sweater every four years.

Pricing Information

All sweaters are made of 100% merino wool.
    • $150 for Active Members. Become a Member today!
    • $250 for non-Active Members
    • Free for undergraduates once they have received their Major H. (Limit one per person. Undergraduates have a grace period of one year from the date of their graduation to pick up their sweater for free.)


Sizing Information

All sizes are unisex. If you are unhappy with the fit of your sweater, you are welcome to exchange it for another size provided that the tags are still on it and it is in new condition.

                                                                                         
Measure
 
X-Small
 
Small
 
Medium
 
Large
 
X-Large
 
XX-Large
 
Height
 
5"5"-5’7"
 
5’7"-5’9"
 
5’9"-5’11"
 
5’11"-6’1"
 
6’1"-6’3"
 
6’3"-6’5"
 
Weight
 
115-130
 
130-160
 
160-185
 
185-210
 
210-240
 
240-275
 
Chest
 
32"-35"
 
35"-38"
 
38"-41"
 
41"-44"
 
44"-47"
 
47"-50"
 
Sleeve
 
30"
 
31"
 
33"
 
35"
 
36"
 
37"
 

History of the Lettersweater

The tradition of the Harvard lettersweater dates back to the early 1880s when crew adopted a white sweater with a crimson “H” as their team uniform. As football, baseball and track began to compete on an intercollegiate level during the 1880s, there became a need for official Harvard athletic attire. Accordingly, in 1896, the Athletic Committee that oversaw undergraduate sports met to discuss the options for outfitting Harvard’s athletes. After deliberation, the Committee decided to prescribe each team a sweater that used a unique color scheme of crimson, black, and white.

Unique lettersweaters for each sport remained until 1957 when the number of varsity sports (10) and minor h colors was beginning to outnumber the possible permutations of colors in the lettersweaters. After receiving a recommendation from the Undergraduate Athletic Council, the Faculty Committee on Athletic Sports agreed to standardize the lettersweaters for all major sports. The hockey color combination was chosen and the classic black sweater with a crimson “H” bordered in white became the official lettersweater and remains so today.

Thanks to the generosity of Varsity Club members, the Lettersweater program is about 80% endowed, so each first-time letterwinner receives a beautiful sweater made exclusively for the Harvard Varsity Club by Polo Ralph Lauren. Most undergraduates are now presented with a lettersweater at their team’s annual banquet. Alumni major H recipients interested in purchasing a sweater may do so by contacting the Harvard Varsity Club. The cost is $150 for active members and $250 for those whose membership has fallen into arrears.

 

"My first exposure to the Harvard Varsity Club was through attending a Career Night as a student. I had no idea that night that I would meet my future employer there and that meeting would launch my career in investment banking. Looking back on it, I am very thankful for the efforts of the Varsity Club and what it provides to all of Harvard's athletes."

Maisa Badaway '00
Field Hockey


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