It’s not just a jacket.

It’s a statement, a memory and a little hug from both Utah and Incheon—stitched into red and white.

This April, students at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) gathered on their Incheon campus for the “Love U Letterman Jacket Bash”—a spirited celebration of school pride and global community. The event, part of the annual Love U Week, overflowed with laughter, snapshots and springtime joy.

Each student walked away with a custom letterman jacket—no price tag, just pride, thanks to generous donations from both on and off-campus and the broader U community supporters. It was one of those moments: loud, joyful and unexpectedly moving.

Letterman jackets and Korean campus culture: A symbol of belonging

In Korea, the culture of gwajam—short for gwa-jum-pa (department jumper)—traces back to the country’s most prestigious universities. Students at schools like Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University (collectively known as “SKY”) popularized the trend in the 1990s and 2000s as a way to show pride in their academic affiliation.

Jackets were often worn to sporting events like the famous Yonsei-Korea or Korea-Yonsei rivalry games—referred to by students as “Yeon-Go” or “Go-Yeon”—mirroring American varsity culture. Over time, the jackets evolved into a symbol of identity and belonging, often featuring one’s department, name and graduation year embroidered on the back or sleeve.

“Wearing a gwajam was like telling the world, ‘This is where I belong,’” said Wonseok Park, program coordinator for Residence Life and New Student Programs at the UAC. “It’s powerful to see that tradition now reimagined in a cross-cultural setting with U Asia Campus’s global student body.”

“Back in high school, I always admired college students wearing their jackets,” shared Alex Cho, a communication major at the UAC. “Now I’ve got my own—with the U logo! It’s like I’m officially part of something bigger.”

Powered by generosity: The culture of giving in Utah

Unlike the common Korean practice where students typically pay out-of-pocket for customized campus jackets, UAC’s letterman jackets were entirely funded through philanthropic contributions. These gifts reflect a larger cultural ethos deeply embedded in Utah’s identity—one of community support and educational investment.

“Utah has a strong tradition of giving, and that spirit lives on in our global campus,” said Gregory Hill, chief administrative officer at UAC. “These donations are a tangible reminder that our students in Korea are part of a much bigger family.”

Through initiatives like this, donors help create a more inclusive and connected student experience, even across continents.

A jacket, a memory, a message

As students buttoned up their jackets, they weren’t just gearing up for spring—they were stepping into a tradition.

One that started in American varsity sports, crossed the Pacific, blended into Korean campus culture, and now lives on in the halls of UAC.

And stitched between every red sleeve and white collar? A story of pride, generosity, and love.