Aztec Warrior: San Diego State University Women's Club Head Coach Jamie Cassidy is Masking the World Against Coronavirus

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — San Diego State University women’s collegiate club head coach Jamie Cassidy spent most of January-to-March getting the Aztecs women’s collegiate club team ready to capture the Southwest Division title and make another run at the Women’s National Collegiate Club Championship.

Now, in the wake of the season’s cancellation due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19, the National Champion head coach is spending her time away from the pool by producing masks at Wattie Ink. and Eliel Cycling as she has turned the company from triathlon and cycling apparel into a mask production powerhouse for the fight against the pandemic.

Following her 10th season as the women’s club coach at SDSU after taking over the program in September 2010, Cassidy is no stranger in the ranks of the women’s collegiate club teams around the nation. A two-time Pacific Coast Division (2012, 2014) and four-time Southwest Division (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) Coach of the Year – along with taking home SDSU Sports Club Coach of the Year accolades in 2014 and 2016 – she has led the Aztecs to five division championships (Pacific Coast: 2014; Southwest – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) and the 2014 Women’s National Collegiate Club Championship National Championship.

The victor of the 2014 National Championship via a 10-9 sudden death overtime defeat of the University of Michigan at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, she has not masked her coaching skill in taking a San Diego State team which has risen from being among the middle of the pack in the Pacific Coast Division to recording First (2014), Third (2017, 2019), Fourth (2015) and Fifth (2012, 2016) Place finishes at the Women’s National Collegiate Club Championship over the past decade.

A championship coach, a 2009 graduate of San Diego State and a 2011 graduate of the University of San Francisco with a Masters Degree in Sport Management, previous experience could not prepare anyone for confronting a pandemic.

“When the governor of California put the ‘shelter in place’ that was hard,” notes Cassidy.

“At that time we had to close down our business. As a company that makes Cycling and Triathlon apparel without our factory running, we do could not make our custom orders or refill our inline brands websites. Many brands outsource, but we own our factory. So it was a really a worry for us.”

Some foresight helped turn a potential business tragedy into a win-win situation for the company and the public.

“We talked about masks early on when we saw what was happening. But could not get in touch with anyone in the government or businesses. We wanted to ensure what we produced could be used and needed specifics for medical grade. Then when the CDC came out and recommended masks be worn by everyone, we knew we could make those. It seems different all over the country but here we are mandated when outside in different counties.”

“Thus, the partners and head of our sewing team started talking, what fabric did we have on hand that would work. How could we actually make masks comfortable and not look terrible. We ran multiple samples to ensure fit, size. As a company we worry about fit and comfort. If you are going to ride your bike for 100+ miles or race an Ironman, you have to be comfortable. We are known for that and wanted to ensure that came across for our customers. Plus, we felt we could add a little fun with the designs.”

Like any product which needs to be worn daily – and especially for health – the company is relying on fit, fun and functionality – which also keeping to the principle of social distancing.

“First. we ran multiple samples to ensure a quality mask. Next, we had to see if our staff would feel comfortable coming back to work to sew the masks. We took measures to ensure everyone’s safety in late February, but we knew we needed more. Once we had staff committed to come work, we re-arranged the sewing floor to ensure more distance and multiple shifts to separate all employees. This way they are not all working at the same time. With the gear we make the sewing can be very technical taking up to twenty-seven a garment. These masks are much simpler, so we knew we could get large quantities sewn. Those on the team that have come back are excited to be back working and knowing they are helping individuals in so many ways. Of course we had other operational and logistical tasks for our systems to work but we overcame those hurdles as well.”

With the product in place, the next question became distribution.

“Thankfully the sales team jumped in to help organize the donation portion of masks. We had some places locally in mind when we started this.”

How has business been so far? Sales have been booming and for every pack sold one has been donated to a charity organization.

“Due to the number of units sold, we have another pre-sale (the first group quickly sold out) that launched Friday April 17. The unit sales are climbing. I know marketing is working on sending this out. We have customers that have reached out via our customer service with suggestions or letting us know about places they have heard. We are organizing them all. It is ranging from YMCA, nurses, youth centers, homeless centers, old folks homes, military, police. Honestly if someone sends us a place we are evaluating it.”

Although sales have been brisk, Cassidy notes that masks are available.

“Individual customers can purchase via our websites at Wattieink.com or ElielCycling.com. I believe at the moment we have just closed pre-orders for round two. We want to ensure we can ship in a timely manner as we understand how important these are. But we will be opening another pre-order window within the next few days. They can always check on the website, our social platforms and be updated via our mailing lists for more information.”

“We are selling two sizes; Small and Large. Female model is Small, Male is large. Major difference is amount of face fabric. We have left a spot to add an additional filter. We have ordered samples to see what works best, but they have not arrived yet.”

Pre-sales are occurring in rolling waves as the company opens another round ever few days. Due to the demand, this permits the sewing staff and operations to be on top of shipping orders as there is an urgent need for masks by individuals.

Five masks come in a pack and sizes can not be combined. For the fashion conscious, different designs may be added down the road with the current styles available at: