News

Desert Cactus joins the ICBA as an Annual Vendor Partner. With their proven expertise in collegiate retail and deep investment in our channel, Desert Cactus is excited about the value and innovation they will bring to ICBA Members as an AVP with their comprehensive customization solutions detailed below.  

Custom Solutions for Campus Stores

Desert Cactus understands that every campus is unique. Our flexible customization capabilities allow Member Stores to create distinctive product assortments that reflect their institution’s identity while meeting the interests of today’s students, alumni, and fans.

Customization options include:

• Custom product development
• School-specific packaging and branding
• Designs representing all Olympic sports
• Merchandising solutions that help expand product assortments

These tailored solutions help stores differentiate their merchandise mix while strengthening their campus brand.

Desert Cactus looks forward to partnering directly with ICBA Member Stores and becoming an active part of the ICBA Community.

DePaul Athletics officially announced a groundbreaking sponsorship partnership with Chicagoland-based Desert Cactus, which makes them the first jersey patch sponsor in the BIG EAST Conference. In the multiyear deal, Desert Cactus will be featured on all DePaul men’s basketball uniforms, debuting in the upcoming 2026-27 season. In addition to its visibility on the men’s basketball jersey, Desert Cactus will work with DePaul as a testing ground for new product innovations across several key retail locations, which will then be scaled nationally. The partnership will allow Desert Cactus to pilot and feature officially licensed products at the DePaul University bookstores on the Lincoln Park and Loop campuses, as well as in-venue at Wintrust Arena, creating new opportunities to connect with students, alumni and fans through DePaul-branded merchandise.

“As we considered adding a sponsor patch to our jerseys, we knew the decision had to be thoughtful and rooted in shared values,” said DePaul Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. “Desert Cactus is a trusted partner through our merchandise and licensing relationship, and its story reflects so much of what defines us: Chicagoland roots, an entrepreneurial spirit and an underdog mentality. This is far more than a logo on a jersey. It is a year-round partnership built around product innovation, fan engagement and creating meaningful value for both organizations. We are proud to feature a hometown brand on the jerseys of Chicago’s Team.”

“Desert Cactus was built right here in the Chicago area, and it brings us immense pride to bring that hometown spirit onto the court with DePaul,” said Joe Stefani, Co-Founder and President of Desert Cactus. “For us, it’s about showing up for Blue Demons fans, students, and alumni in a real way. We will provide new ways for everyone connected with DePaul Men’s Basketball to access the products they love, and we couldn’t be prouder to do that with a Chicago institution.”

ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS
DePaul’s 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900’s, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920’s. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970’s as the men’s basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university’s mission and commitment to academic excellence, real-world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university’s national exposure and enrollment.

ABOUT DESERT CACTUS
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in the Chicago area, Desert Cactus is a fast-growing ecommerce company specializing in officially licensed and custom merchandise. The company holds licensing partnerships with 650+ colleges and universities, the NBA, NHL, dozens of fraternities and sororities, and pop culture brands like Peppa Pig, Dungeons & Dragons, and The Transformers. From the beginning, Desert Cactus has been focused on quickly delivering high- quality products that fans crave. With its strong foundation, Desert Cactus has swiftly grown from a Chicagoland startup into one of the country’s fastest-growing licensed product retailers, delivering quality, affordable gear directly to fans, students and alumni nationwide. To learn more, visit desertcactuscorporate.com.

Desert Cactus announces a new collection of licensed party products to serve the college market. Based on customer demand, Desert Cactus will now be offering college branded party supplies including plates, napkins, table covers and cake toppers. Fans looking for new ways to commemorate milestone events can decorate their celebrations with colorful table accessories. Tailgaters seeking to show their team pride at sporting events, can elevate their game day presentation with team branded serving items.

An initial set of college licenses was secured in 2025, with new licenses coming on board in 2026.