Story & Vision
The Legacy Lives Through Us
For years, I’ve carried a deep vision — a vision rooted in pride, identity, and history. As a proud graduate of the Albany State University Class of 2005, I’ve long felt the need to reestablish a true identity for ASU — one that honors not just today, but the many decades that shaped us.
This mission was reignited in 2022, when I was blessed with the opportunity to build and design custom performance uniforms — a project driven by passion, precision, and purpose. That experience gave birth to a sparkling new vision: to use apparel as a storytelling tool. A way to honor our past while empowering the present.
And now, through WrkPlay, the movement has grown into something bigger.
Our goal is to partner with Albany State University’s bookstore and online store to make these one-of-a-kind pieces available to students, alumni, and supporters across the nation. Every sweatshirt, hoodie, and design speaks to the glory of our Unsinkable University, rooted at 504 College Drive and remembered across generations.
From Georgia Normal & Agricultural College, to Albany State College, to the ASU we love today — this brand is a living time capsule, made to reflect the pride of every graduating class, from the 1960s to the 2020s and beyond.
But this isn’t just about what we wear — it’s about what we give.
As WrkPlay grows, it’s my goal to donate 10% of all proceeds back to Albany State University, to help fuel scholarships, student programs, and the future of this institution that gave so much to us.
This is more than fashion. This is identity. This is history. This is legacy.
Join me — and let’s wear our story with pride.
WrkPlay Athleisure Passionettes 2021 …
The Story of WrkPlay
WrkPlay was born from the intersection of hustle, heritage, and HBCU pride.
Founded by John Hagan, a proud Albany State University alumnus, WrkPlay started as more than just a clothing line — it’s a movement. A response to the lack of elevated, legacy-driven apparel representing Black colleges, WrkPlay was built to redefine how we wear our pride.
In 2021, John partnered with the ASU Golden Rams Passionettes, delivering custom athletic wear that turned heads and raised standards. That collaboration was more than a moment — it was confirmation. Proof that the vision was in alignment, and the opportunity to bring his skills back to the table was real.
What started as a dream in dorm rooms and late-night sketches has evolved into a creative house that blends athleisure with culture, tradition with boldness, and fashion with purpose.
The Vision
WrkPlay’s mission is simple:
To upgrade the paraphernalia that represents our schools, communities, and stories.
To give ASU and other HBCUs a wardrobe that mirrors the excellence they produce.
To design gear that speaks for those who paved the way — and those who are next.
This isn’t just merch.
This is memory, movement, and momentum — stitched into every piece.
From the Melt Master Elmo hoodie to the soon-dropping “Phirst” custom band coats, WrkPlay is here to build a visual legacy for ASU and beyond.
Because if you’re going to work hard, if you’re going to play smart — you should look like it.
This is WrkPlay. Built for the culture. Designed for the future.