Burghardt Sporting Goods agrees to contract extension with IFL
November 16, 2008
Brookfield, WI – League owners Chris Chudada and Pete Narrai wasted no time in successfully securing a quality sporting goods supplier that will continue to offer the Ironman Football League sponsorship and discounts on the hottest football equipment brands on the market. Brian and Carl Burghardt have worked extremely hard to consistently supply the teams of the Ironman Football League with quality football equipment, and so far they have done a great job keeping up with the high demand. This recent contract extension with Burghardt Sporting Goods proves once again that the Ironman Football League is the most innovative and fastest growing football league in Wisconsin.
“We have sustained a successful partnership with Burghardt Sporting Goods for five years now.” league owner Chris Chudada said. “What other league in Wisconsin can say that they have had a contracted apparel and equipment supplier for five years?”
Burghardt Sporting Goods has had a successful contractual relationship with the Ironman Football League since 2004 and things looks to continue for many years to come. The fact that the IFL has been able to sustain a partnership with a company that has been around for over 127 years speaks volumes about the league’s success.
It all starts with league management. “The stadiums that we have been able to contract, the great reputation that we have built and the business attitude that we follow religiously is all paying off,” Chudada said. Professionalism and quality are the foundations on which the league has been built, and those qualities continue to elevate the IFL closer and closer to Chudada’s ultimate dream.
League co-owner Pete Narrai said that he is very happy with the relationship the IFL has built with Burghardts over the years. “To supply a football league of this magnitude and to be able to keep up with the high demand is no easy task,” Narrai said, “that is why we trust Burghardt Sporting Goods; they have been doing an excellent job over the years in meeting all of our teams’ needs.” The IFL has had other offers from sporting good suppliers and vendors for the rights to be the leagues official supplier, but no other company has come close to what Burghardt’s offers. “What it all boils down to is that our teams deserve the best - the best service, equipment, and quality of products. That’s what Burghardt’s offers and that is why they are our official supplier,” Narrai added.
Burghardt Sporting Goods was founded in 1881 in downtown Milwaukee by Charles Burghardt. The original name was C.A. Burghart Company.
Around the turn of the century schools were putting in sports programs and gym classes which prompted Burghardt to focus on a new direction. In the early years horses were kept in the basement for deliveries.
Charles had two sons, Frank and Carl, who joined their father around 1915 and the company name changed to C.A. Burghardt & Sons. The business continued to grow so they moved down the block in 1936 to 117 E. Wells Street across from the Pabst Theater.
Carl had a son Carl Jr. who after graduating from UW Madison came to work with his dad and uncle around 1938.
The name became Burghardt Sporting Goods. They had a large retail store for that time and made their own chenille award letters and decorated uniforms in the store.
Carl Jr. had a son named Carl “Chip” who after graduating from UW Madison School of Business joined his dad in 1964. The downtown retail business had shifted to the suburbs. Wells Street had been under construction and became a one way street so the decision was made to move.
There were several shopping centers surrounding the city but they decided to be close to Capitol Court. Capitol Court, at the time, was one of the largest shopping centers in the country in dollars per square foot. Also, there was going to be a new freeway spur going North and South near the Stadium. Burghardts was unique in that they built their own free standing store with parking at the front door in 1967.
It was in the new location that a complete screen printing department was added which with tackle twill sewing as well as embroidery and heat seal work made Burghardt independent and in control of this service.
After several years of fast growth a second floor was added. Then the recession of 1982 hit. Fortunately, Burghardt had managed a small cushion and was able to survive.
In 1994 Burghardts began researching a new location.They had run out of space and found it inefficient to operate on three floors. They wanted to be near a freeway and easily accessible to the entire Milwaukee market. Brookfield was chosen and after a year and a half ground was broken at 14660 W. Capitol Drive. The doors were opened in September of 1995.
Kathy and Brian then joined their father followed closely by their brother Carl.
With this team in place Burghardt Sporting Goods has shown constant growth which necessitated a new 5000 square foot addition in 2004.
2006 was Burghardt Sporting Goods 125 th anniversary. They are the oldest family owned sporting goods store in the nation. The next generation is in place and pledged to the family tradition of full service to the customer.
With an already long and successful standing relationship with the Ironman Football League, Burghardt Sporting Goods and the IFL look to a very bright future as the two businesses plan to continue their joint success for many years to come.