Kaity Goodwin ’22 Hits Home Run with Red Sox AAPI Heritage Jersey Design
After serving three years as Babson’s mascot, Biz E. Beaver, Kaity Goodwin ’22 knows a thing or two about giving physical form to important but intangible things like school spirit and culture.
That talent, combined with her passion for graphic design and sports, culminated into a winning contribution this month as the Red Sox’s unveiled their Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage jersey, designed by Goodwin.
“Being able to share some of the Asian culture and have people so excited to wear it is huge for me,” Goodwin said. “In addition to the jerseys, they also had an Asian dance troupe performing the lion dance, other cultural dances, plus various Asian cuisines incorporated in the ballpark concessions. Seeing others having a good time celebrating Asian culture was really fun, and being a part of that was important and special to me.”
Goodwin’s journey began post-graduation when she landed a coveted one-and-a-half-year fellowship known as “Take the Lead,” a collaborative initiative among Boston’s six major sports teams: the Bruins, Patriots, Revolution, Red Sox, Celtics, and the Pride women’s hockey team, which has since been sold. This fellowship allowed her to rotate between these teams, gaining invaluable experience in events and marketing.
Goodwin’s fellowship not only provided networking opportunities but also placed her in direct contact with senior leadership across the teams. “I had contact with many in senior leadership,” Goodwin shared. “I had one-on-one time with various executives, including Brad Stevens with the Celtics and Sam Kennedy with the Red Sox.”
Taking the Lead
One of her most notable achievements came during her time with the Red Sox. Goodwin took a chance and brought her vision for the AAPI Heritage jersey to AAPI leadership and the director of promotions at Fenway. They loved it and the project brought together Goodwin’s love for graphic design and her cultural pride. The jersey, which featured hibiscus flowers and a dragon, was a hit among fans, with over 2,800 jerseys sold—a significant increase from previous years.
The AAPI celebration was one of several heritage and cultural events that the Red Sox hold at Fenway Park several times throughout the year. In addition to the AAPI Heritage celebration, Fenway also held a Jewish Heritage Celebration in May, while they’ll feature a Pride celebration and a Greek celebration in June.
The jersey’s final design incorporated elements from previous Red Sox AAPI heritage events and added Goodwin’s unique touch, like the inclusion of a dragon to symbolize luck and prosperity. Coincidentally, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which added a timely significance to her design.
The jersey’s success extended beyond sales. It was widely celebrated during the AAPI Heritage Month celebration at Fenway Park. “Seeing Jersey Street covered with the jerseys I designed was a highlight of my designing career,” Goodwin recalled. “It was really special to see fans wearing something that I created.”
Reflecting on her time with the Red Sox and the fellowship, Goodwin was honored by the confidence placed in her. “The Red Sox allowed me to take creative control, and it turned into something really big,” she said. “I learned so much and made so many connections. It was an incredible experience.”
Goodwin is now navigating her career post-fellowship, but she continues to be grateful that she had the chance to combine professional skills with personal passions.
“I am very grateful for the trust and confidence the Red Sox put into me by allowing me to design this,” Goodwin said. “It always makes me feel good to see people wearing my designs, but this is really on another level.”
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