WU, Direct Results partner to open on-campus store

Waynesburg University has partnered with a local company, Direct Results, to relocate, renovate and revamp its on-campus merchandise store, The Nest. The Nest celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony over the University’s homecoming weekend, on Saturday, Oct. 2, and is now open to the public at 84 Wayne Street.

The Nest is under the management of Direct Results, which has a natural tie to the University through its owner, Pam Marisa, and her husband, Kent.

Kent Marisa’s father is former Waynesburg men's basketball coach and director of athletics Rudy Marisa, who spent 34 years as the head of the Yellow Jackets program, making it a national powerhouse in the 1980's.

“This partnership with Waynesburg University is a special one for us, given my father’s history,” Kent Marisa said. “We are excited to help execute a vision that builds pride in the University’s brand, creates fun gathering space for students and honors Rudy Marisa. We are also fortunate that one of his former students was so moved that he helped to make this happen for all.”

The renovations of the campus store were made possible through a generous donation from a 1974 alumnus, Dennis Ellis. Ellis established his gift as a way to honor Rudy Marisa for his guidance, mentorship and coaching, both on and off the court.

I have been wanting to honor Rudy to show my gratitude for his support of myself and the others he has mentored over the years. This project has done that."

Dennis Ellis

“I have been wanting to honor Rudy to show my gratitude for his support of myself and the others he has mentored over the years. This project has done that,” Ellis shared. “He is a leader in so many ways, not only as a coach and teacher, but also as a father, living a life of strength, perseverance and responsibility.”

“We are so very fortunate to have the support and leadership from both the Marisas and Mr. Ellis to help us complete this project,” said Stacey Brodak, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Waynesburg University. “Their vision and implementation was outstanding in helping to create unique offerings that we believe our students will embrace, all in honor of Rudy Marisa, a beloved coach and mentor for WU.”

An assortment of all-new Waynesburg University merchandise is available for purchase on the first floor of The Nest. The store also sells handmade items to help raise funds for various causes, such as bracelets made by women in the Dominican Republic as a part of the University’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program or bowls and pens made from recycled plastic through the Fine Arts Program.

The new location provides ample space for student activities, both indoors and out. In addition to the merchandise available on the first floor, the upper two levels of The Nest, called Rudy’s Place, offer games and gathering space for Waynesburg University students. Rudy’s Place is outfitted with video and arcade games, including Avengers and Star Wars pinball, dartboard, pop-a-shot, bubble hockey, foosball table, etc., and two large screen televisions.

In addition to the new store, Ellis’s gift also funded new window graphics at the Marisa Fieldhouse and a pop-up shop to make Waynesburg University branded items available off campus.