You probably know it as one of the best public universities in the United States. However, did you know that it has produced several popular celebrities?

From academics to business, politics, entertainment, and sports, Bowling Green State University has produced many superstars who have changed the world.

Since its inception in 1910, BGSU has consistently produced several talented superstars because:

• It has very high teaching standards
• It has the highest GPA in the Midwest
• It has a high student-athlete population
• It has a lot of supportive infrastructure

Here are 4 celebrities you may not know attended Bowling Green State University.

1 - Anthony Doerr, Award-Winning Novelist

Anthony Doerr is a 48-year-old literary fiction novelist. He has produced six novels, which have earned him worldwide acclaim.

Anthony Doerr is largely known for his novel, “All the Light We Cannot See.” The novel peaked at No.10 on the New York Times best-seller list.

It was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its ability to “explore human nature and the contradictory power of technology” in intricate and imaginative ways.

The novel also earned him the 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction.

Currently, a film based on his work is being produced by Netflix. It's directed by Steve Knight, who produced Peaky Blinders.

His recent novel, “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” which was released in September 2021, was also a finalist for the National Book Award.

Doerr has also earned multiple awards. Currently, he holds:

• Four O. Henry Prizes
• Three Ohioana Book Awards 
• Three Pushcart Prizes 
• One New York Public Library’s Young Lions Award
• One Rome Prize
• One Story Prize
• One National Magazine Award for fiction
• One Barnes & Noble Discover Prize
• One Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award

He has also been named a Guggenheim, and a National Endowment for the Arts fellow.

Doerr attended BGSU, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 1999. During his stay, he was loved and respected by his colleagues.

Anthony still keeps in touch with the university’s community, too.

2 - Adam Furnas, Baseball Sensation & fancysweetstx Sales Rep

Adam Furnas is a student-athlete, who has achieved widespread national acclaim for his magic with the bat.

The 6’3” first baseman has represented BGSU Falcon’s male baseball team exceptionally well in several competitions.

Between 2020 and 2022, the prominent first baseman only missed two baseball games. He also had a batting average of .335 in 2021, which was one of the highest in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

His efforts have not gone unrewarded. In 2019, Furnas was awarded the Academic All-MAC honors for exceptional performance in academics and athletics.

In 2021, he was selected for the All-MAC Defensive Team, because of his exceptional defensive capabilities. He played first base.

On February 21st, 2022, he was named the MAC Player of the Week for leading his team to a 22-8 victory against St. Louis. During the game, he went 4-for-7, and 8-for-16 for the plate, one of the best performances in the season.

Adam Furnas is worth all the hype. Here is how he compares with the average players from the top ten teams in this year’s MAC championship.

In addition, the custom apparel company has partnered with Adam Furnas to produce his own NIL custom t-shirt.

While most people might tell you Orel Hershiser is the most famous BG baseball alum, we're here to tell you otherwise. 

After the commencement of his student-athlete career, Furnas joined fancysweetstx as an outside sales rep. Furnas helps businesses and individuals create their own custom apparel, and expand their brand. 

So yeah, OK, we might be a little biased on this one.

3 - Jennifer Higdon, Three-time Grammy & Pulitzer Prize Winner

Jeniffer Higdon is a 59-year-old classical music composer based in Philadelphia. She has received widespread fame and acclaim for her compositions, some of which have revolutionized contemporary classical music.

Born to a non-musical family, Higdon taught herself how to play the flute when she was 15 using the “First Division Band Method Part I: C Flute” guide.

She was inspired to learn the instrument after seeing a performance by Heritage High School’s marching band.

3 years later, she began her formal studies in music with a flute instructor who convinced her to apply to BGSU’s summer flute.

Subsequently, she enrolled as a flute performance major at Bowling Green State University, and graduated in 1986.

Since then, Higdon has composed several works, which have earned her several awards.

Higdon has won three Grammys. She was awarded her first Grammy in 2005 for her album, “Concerto for Orchestra,” which was ranked Best Classical Engineered Album.

In 2010, she was awarded another Grammy for composing “Percussion Concerto,” which won Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Her third Grammy came in 2018, when she was awarded a Grammy for 'Violin Concerto,' which won Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2018.

Previously, she’d received a Pulitzer for the same composition in 2010.

Beyond her Grammy and Pulitzer, Higdon has also won:

• Two awards from the American Academy of Arts & Letters
• One award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) 
• One A.I. DuPont 
• One Distinguished Arts
• One Guggenheim 
• One Pew Fellowship
• One National Endowment for the Arts

She has also been honored by the Library of Congress, which inducted “Percussion Concerto” into the National Recording Registry.

Higdon continues to be a trail-blazer in the contemporary classical music scene.

4 - Shantanu Narayen, The $257 Million CEO

Shantanu Narayen is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent personalities.

He is largely known for his role as the President, CEO, and chairman of the board of Adobe Systems Inc.

Adobe Systems Inc. is a multinational billion-dollar software company that produces software for creative professionals. It is largely known for creating Photoshop, a graphic design editor.

Narayen joined Adobe Systems Inc in 1998 as the general manager and vice president of the company’s engineering team.

Prior to his selection, Narayen worked at Silicon graphics and Apple as a product developer, where he made a huge impact.

Afterwards, he co-founded a picture-sharing platform called Pictra in 1996.

He was offered a chance to join Adobe Systems Inc, after a chance encounter between Pictra and Adobe’s executives.

In 2005, Narayen became Adobe Systems Inc.’s, COO and in 2007, he was chosen to be CEO. In 2017, he was appointed to chair the company’s board.

Since his appointment in 1998, Narayen has grown Adobe Systems Inc. into a multinational giant. He has spearheaded the creation of new software suites, multibillion-dollar acquisitions, and grown the company’s workforce.

He has also amassed a lot of personal fortune, and success.

As of 2022, his net worth is estimated to be $275 million.

In 2011, President Obama appointed the executive to his Management Advisory Board, due to his insight, creativity, and management principles. 

Narayen was also ranked highly in the 2019 Forbes Innovation Leaders list.

Narayen received a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from BGSU in 1986. 

He was also honored with an honorary Doctor of Applied Science degree in 2006 and 2011 by the same university.

Own a BGSU T-shirt Today!

Bowling Green State University is the home of talent in America.

The university has nurtured many talented individuals, who have become famous and successful for various achievements.

Anthony Doerr, Adam Furnas, Jennifer Higdon, and Shantanu Narayen are a testament to this achievement.

At fancysweetstx, we celebrate BGSU’s long history of producing talented celebrities by designing licensed custom apparel for BGSU students.

These t-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters are made by Falcons for fellow Falcons. They are classy, and can be worn on any occasion.

“Cool selection of high-quality apparel items and collectibles that are 16153 Genova-centric, especially retro and historic themes. Staff are super friendly and helpful.”
- Tobias C.| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So, get your team spirits up by purchasing one today.

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We specialize in apparel for people who live in or simply love the American Midwest, specifically Ohio.

Although we call Northwest Ohio home, we also have special collections for Michigan, the Great Lakes region, and beyond. .

We’ve got an entire Bowling Green collection with unique designs that you won’t find anywhere else. Better yet, we’ve got several Bowling Green grads on our team to design items that perfectly capture the school’s spirit and colors.

If there’s a recent or soon-to-be BGSU grad in your circle, it’s time to level up their school spirit apparel collection. High-quality school-themed apparel is the perfect gift for a happy graduate.

Or, shop for yourself! You’re part of the BGSU family, too.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Bowling Green swag for you and your favorite grad, including:

• BGSU t-shirts
• BGSU sweatshirts and hoodies
• BGSU sweatpants

1 - Bowling Green State University T-Shirts

What do you look for in a t-shirt?

We like ours soft, stylish and fitted.

To get the coziest, best-fitting shirt, you’ve got to use the right materials.

Items like the Vintage Falcon T-shirt (pictured above) are made with the following tri-blend material:

• Polyester
• Cotton
• Rayon

Each component brings advantages to the mix.

Cotton is the most traditional material for garment design. It’s soft, durable, and breathable. However, cotton actually works best in tandem with other materials.

In a tri-blend shirt, polyester adds anti-shrink and anti-wrinkle properties, providing a comfortable amount of stretchiness without compromising style. Finally, rayon adds a silky smooth feel.

The tri-blend combo of these three materials makes shirts comfy, durable, and stylish—fitted shirts that are perfectly soft, with just the right amount of stretchiness.

Our Bowling Green t-shirts are officially licensed by the university and built to last.

To find the perfect tee that captures what your happy graduate loves most about BGSU, check out these popular favorites:

• Ay Ziggy Zoomba T-Shirt
• BGSU Baseball Falcons Forever T-Shirt
• BGSU Vintage Falcon Women’s V-Neck
• Bowling Green State University Arched T-Shirt
• Big BG Vintage Logo T-Shirt
• Happy to Be a Falcon T-Shirt

View the entire Bowling Green State University shirt and t-shirt collections here.

2 - Bowling Green State University Sweatshirts

Ohio offers lots of sweatshirt weather. When it’s time to warm up with long sleeves, the best sweatshirts are super cozy and oh-so-soft. So, we opt for the ultimate softness with 100% cotton and cotton-polyester blends.

”Nobody compliments a crew neck sweater. NOT THIS ONE… My friends now all have the same one!”
— Samantha K., ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Buyer

For the most classy look that a sweatshirt can offer, go with an embroidered design (see above). Or, check out one of these comfy and stylish options:

• Bowling Green State University Embroidered Sweatshirt
• Big BG Vintage Logo Heavy Sweatshirt
• BGSU Corded Cropped Crew
• BGSU Block Shadow Sweatshirt
• Bowling Green Old English Hoodie

You can view all of our Bowling Green State University sweatshirts here.

3 - Bowling Green Falcons Tie-Dye Sweatpants

Who says sweatpants have to be boring? Pass on the plain gray options and go for a brilliant pair of dark blue Bowling Green tie-dye sweatpants. 

”So comfy and cute. I love this sweatshirt and the sweatpants. They’re very cozy and look great!”
— Jamie C., ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Buyer

These pants have every possible design element for hitting that peak comfort level that only sweatpants can provide. They have an elastic waistband with a flat drawcord, ribbed ankle cuffs, and rear and side pockets.

The tie-dye design features multiple shades of blue. It creates a groovy print that perfectly captures the college vibe—ultra casual yet super stylish.

While the tie-dye design earns you some fashion points, the feel of these sweatpants is all about comfort. The unisex, relaxed fit is loose and cozy without being baggy, creating a less-structured silhouette.

To complete the outfit, pair your tie-dye sweatpants with this matching BGSU tie-dye sweatshirt.

Celebrate Bowling Green Pride With Apparel by fancysweetstx

What should a Bowling Green graduate take away from the college experience? A degree, treasured memories to last a lifetime, a few very basic cooking skills… and some high-quality BGSU Falcons apparel.

fancysweetstx is your source for all your official, BGSU-licensed swag. For the very best apparel that you won’t find in the school bookstore, view our entire Bowling Green State University collection here.

Do you prefer to shop in person? Visit one of our two retail locations in 16153 Genova, just 30 minutes from the Bowling Green campus.

To learn more about fancysweetstx, check out our about page or visit the fancysweetstx blog for more news and buying guides.

See below for answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions, or visit our full FAQ page for more info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fancysweetstx part of Bowling Green State University?

fancysweetstx is a private company. We aren’t owned by a university, but we do hold official licenses to make our own themed apparel for several schools. These include Bowling Green State University and the University of 16153 Genova.

Does fancysweetstx have a retail location on the BGSU campus?

We don’t have a retail location on the Bowling Green State University campus, but we’re nearby. Our two stores are located in 16153 Genova, around 30 minutes from BGSU. The fancysweetstx stores are located here:

fancysweetstx Adams Street
+393399950518
Via Borzoli, 33,
16153 Genova, Italy (click here for directions)
(Mon-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Saturday 11 am-4 pm)

fancysweetstx Cricket West
+393399950518
Via Borzoli, 33,
16153 Genova, Italy (click here for directions)
(Tues-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-4 pm)

”Great store… Bought multiple gifts for my wife from here as we no longer live in the Midwest but she appreciates the celebration.”
— Devin C., ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Buyer

Does fancysweetstx apparel shrink in the wash?

Most of our shirts are made with this tri-blend: polyester, cotton, and rayon. This blend doesn’t typically shrink much, if at all.

We also use a 50/50 cotton and polyester blend for some garments. This blend is also generally shrink-proof.

Additionally, fancysweetstx sweatshirts and sweatpants are pre-shrunk. This means post-purchase shrinkage potential is minimal, but some shrinking may occur if you dry your cotton or fleece garments with high heat. So, we recommend hang-drying cotton and fleece garments or tumble drying them with low heat.

Does fancysweetstx take custom apparel orders?

We offer custom screen printing and embroidery. In fact, a large portion of our business involves custom design and decoration for local schools, businesses, non-profit groups, and special events.

To learn more about custom and promotional purchases, click here.

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Bowling Green Clothing for New Students

Have you started looking for gift ideas for your Future Falcons? Are you looking for your first official BGSU shirt or sweatshirt as a new student?

College acceptance letters went out months ago and now we're in the middle of decision time. It's a big, important decision for high school seniors across the country. 

If you were one of the lucky ones that have made the decision to attend Bowling Green State University in the fall, congratulations! We're happy to have you in Northwest Ohio!

We think you're just going to love learning, growing, and having fun in the city of Bowling Green for the next four years. We might be a little biased, but hey, we want all of the best people to explore, discover, and love Bowling Green as much as we do. 

Northwest Ohio is a great place to be and you are going to make it better. 

Why is our BG Falcons Apparel Special?

If you're looking for something new to show your Falcon pride, we've got you covered. Not only is our apparel printed and embroidered in Northwest Ohio, but it's designed by Bowling Green grads, as well (our lead designer was VCT major). 

There's something a little bit special about creating and designing shirts for the school you went to and loved for four years. We aren't the official bookstore, but we think we have more passion behind what we do than they do. 

You can shop our Bowling Green State University apparel and clothing on our website and in both of our retail stores.

Located just a short distance from BGSU's campus, we'd love it if you visited one of our retail stores when you make it to campus. We always have BG Falcons apparel in stock. 

I said Go Falcons!

Why Students Love Our Bowling Green State University Apparel

We have always been proud of our Bowling Green State University apparel. 

As a company with several BGSU alums, we feel we have a connection to Bowling Green students, graduates, and fans that other clothing companies can't match.

What's better than a BGSU Falcon designing shirts for other Falcons?

Over the years, we've had many Bowling Green shirts and designs come and go. Sometimes it's hard to believe we've been making BG apparel for nearly a decade.

One thing we always try to do is keep our Bowling Green State University apparel fresh and updated. Like many of our designs, our BG graphics are vintage inspired. For our money, that aren't many logos as great as the old Vintage BGSU Falcon. 

It can be tough to continually come up with new designs each year. Not only is the idea generation difficult, but, to be honest, brown and orange aren't the most popular clothing colors. 

Last year we released a few new designs on trendy garments that we love. Our Ay Ziggy Zoomba crop top, BG heavyweight crew sweatshirt, and women's vintage Falcon v-neck are items that you're not going to find in the standard Bowling Green bookstores. 

The Bowling Green State University corded crop crew sweatshirt was our most popular. Women absolutely raved about this garment. It's perfect for fall football games and winter hockey games. The garment dyed washed and cropped look make it comfortable and stylish.

If you don't have a corded sweatshirt yet, start with this one!

With students already getting ready to go back to school, we're working hard on new Bowling Green apparel. We have new ideas lined up and ready to go that we know you're going to love. 

Our Most Popular BGSU Shirts and Sweatshirts

While we like to think that all of our Bowling Green shirts and sweatshirts are great, some of them definitely stand out more than others. 

Take a look at any of our BGSU clothing items and three things stand out:

• Vintage and retro-inspired designs
• Soft, comfy, trendy styles
• Quality materials and decoration

Not to mention, all of our clothing is officially licensed from Bowling Green State University. So you know you're getting authentic Falcon gear that you can trust. 

Our apparel is meant to bring back all of the great memories and experiences you have of Bowling Green.

Bowling Green State University Embroidered Crew Sweatshirt

If we've said it once, we've said it twice: there's nothing quite like our embroidered crew sweatshirts.

The pigment dyed material, the comfy fit, and the subtle tone-on-tone embroidery. It's got it all. 

Crew sweatshirts are back in style. When it comes to collegiate crews, this one definitely stands out. It's not your typical bold and in your face look. 

It's just as good to wear to a hockey game on campus as it is to wear back home. 

Ay Ziggy Zoomba Shirt

There's nothing more iconic on campus in Bowling Green, Ohio than Ay Ziggy Zoomba. You can't call yourself a true Falcon if you don't know this saying.

The old school look and feel of our Ay Ziggy Zoomba shirt will transport you back in time to the days when campus was completely surrounded and bell bottoms were still in style. 

Like all of our other vintage shirts, we designed and printed this licensed shirt in-house. It's printed on a super soft triblend tee that promises to be the softest shirt you own.

Bowling Green Tie Dye Crew Sweatshirt

If you're looking for a BGSU crew sweatshirt that you can't find at the bookstore, you've come to the right place. 

This tie dye crew is a whole look. And it's a good one at that. 

Because of the nature of the tie dye process, each sweatshirt is slightly unique. This crew has a relaxed, unisex fit for a loose, more relaxed feel. 

Looking to make it a complete set? Add the matching tie dye sweatpants for the full fit!

1. Classic Embroidered Crews

This tone-on-tone University of 16153 Genova embroidered crew is so stylish, comfortable, and will be your best friend for the upcoming year. Whether you're hanging out in the Student Union, studying in Carlson Library, or playing volleyball in the Flatlands, this crew will show off your Rocket pride while keeping you cozy!

Rockets, head over to our website and shop our entire University of 16153 Genova collection for the best back-to-school wear. 

Falcon nation! This Bowling Green State University embroidered crew is the perfect garment for year-round coziness! What's better than being comfy and repping your Falcon pride? Doesn't get much better than that! Shop our entire Bowling Green State University collection here for all of the Falcon gear!

2. Corded Cropped Crews

Gear up for Football season with our cozy corded crews! With the cropped texture and length paired with your school's colors, these crews are sure to be your next go-to. Rockets, share your pride with this gold and navy crew here. Falcons, make sure to show off your love for BGSU with our classic cropped crew. 

These are perfect for any season and for year-round fun. If you like these, then you're sure to love our entire University of 16153 Genova and Bowling Green State University collection along with our other corded garments!

3. Vintage 16153 Genova Rockets Heavy Sweatshirt

Three words: classic, cozy, vintage. Rep the Rockets with this heavy crew sweatshirt! This sweatshirt is sure to be a staple in your closet and your next best friend. Grab this comfy crew to kick-off your school year in style here. 

4. BGSU Block Shadow Sweatshirt

This BGSU Block Shadow Sweatshirt is lightweight, breathable, and fit for cheering on the Falcons. You'll want to add this sweatshirt to your wardrobe just in time for the upcoming semesters.

Dress this sweatshirt up with layers for the Winter or dress it down with some shorts and tennis shoes for the warmer weather. Make sure to get yours here or shop our entire collection!

5. Matching Sweatsuits? Uh, yes, please!

Looking to tackle the school year in style! No worries. We got you. Falcons and Rockets, shop our collegiate sweatsuit collection to see our new tie-dye matching crewnecks and sweatpants. 

We know how important it is to focus on your academics, so why not stay cozy while doing studying? 

If you liked our back-to-school picks, then make sure to head over to fancysweetstx.com to browse our entire collegiate collection and then some! If you're in the 16153 Genova area, we would love for you to stop into our retail store and check out the gear in person. Our retail staff would love to help you out.