For more than five decades, Glenn’s Sporting Goods has been a staple of the Huntington community, serving athletes, teams, businesses and Marshall fans alike. What began as a small sporting goods store in 1970 has grown into one of the region’s most recognizable locally owned businesses, current general manager Susie Agee said. 

According to Agee, the company’s roots trace back to 1970 when founder Glenn Brumfield, who worked in the sporting goods industry, decided to build a business of his own. At the time, Glenn’s was the only Nike retailer within a 50-mile radius of Huntington. 

Since then, what started as a handful of employees has grown into a legacy, Agee said. 

“He started with maybe six employees, and now we average about 35 employees,” she said. “Our business has changed over the years; we’ve now turned into a Marshall fan shop.”

In addition to dressing Huntington for Marshall game days, Glenn’s offers team goods such as custom uniforms, screen printing for businesses and organizations, as well as serving as a hub for local merchandise fundraisers. 

“We offer pre-selected merchandise chosen by the coach, parents or leader of a team or organization, and all of it is usually custom lettered,” she said.

Beyond quality sporting goods, Agee said Glenn’s top-notch customer service is what sets the business apart from chain retailers.

“We’re a local family business, and from the start, we have known our customers,” she said. “We have customers who come in just to see certain people on the floor, like Paul, who has been here forever. That individual local touch makes us different.”

Agee went on to say that guests who come through the doors can expect to be greeted by a sales associate ready to help as they peruse the shop. 

Staying true to their local roots, Agee said Glenn’s loves staying connected with the network of students, professionals and alumni at Marshall University.

“We try to hire a lot of Marshall students who need a job while they’re going to school,” she said. “We also have a lot of Marshall graduates who work with us, some who have been with us for over 10 years as full-time employees.”

While Glenn’s is actively involved with the Marshall community, there remains a rich history between the two entities, Agee said. 

“When Marshall won the Division 1-AA  championship back in 1992, that was just incredible because we could not print championship shirts fast enough,” she said. “People were lined up before we would open around the corner.”

Being part of commemorative community moments like that championship over the years has been a great privilege, Agee added.

“The fact people came here for that moment was a great highlight of my career,” Agee said. “People were buying them as soon as they came out on the floor, and they were so happy.”

Today, Marshall remains a central part of Glenn’s identity, and Agee said the store is always ready to celebrate future Herd success alongside the community.

“We’re always ready to support Marshall in any way we can,” she said. “If Marshall does well in something, hopefully we’ll be able to be a part of that too.”

More than five decades after opening its doors, Glenn’s continues to evolve while staying true to its roots as a locally owned business. For Agee, she said the goal is not just to sell merchandise, but to remain part of the traditions and moments that connect generations of Marshall fans.

Looking ahead, Agee said she hopes one thing comes to mind whenever someone hears the name Glenn’s: “That’s the place I need to go to get my Marshall gear.”

To learn more about Glenn’s or to order Glenn’s merchandise, head to https://glennssportinggoods.com/ or visit their store at 1040 3rd Ave, Huntington, WV 25701. Check out the full Glenn's Sporting Goods Photo Gallery here!