Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina University Department of Athletics today announced that it has entered a five-year partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS.  As part of this agreement, Nike will serve as the official apparel, footwear, and uniform provider for WCU Athletics. BSN SPORTS, a leading marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of sporting goods apparel and equipment, will serve as the department's official equipment provider.   
 
"During my first meeting with our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, I asked our students what brand they wanted to wear. Nike was the overwhelming favorite," said Alex Gary, WCU Director of Athletics. "Partnering with Nike and BSN SPORTS is the first of many steps we are taking to continually enhance the student-athlete experience and build a championship culture."
 
The new agreement officially begins on July 1, 2021, and involves all 16 of WCU's athletic programs. The partnership includes numerous incentives in the form of discounts, rewards for on-field achievements, and additional marketing and promotional opportunities.
 
"I couldn't be more excited about our partnership with Nike," said Maryann Kilgore, a senior women's soccer player who is the president of WCU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. "Like so many of my fellow WCU student-athletes, I look forward to sporting the Nike swoosh on our Western Carolina jerseys next season."
 
The agreement also provides opportunities for other departments across the WCU campus to benefit from the partnership with additional discounts and incentives.
 
What Are They Saying About the WCU – Nike/BSN Agreement:
"We are excited about the partnership with Nike as they are the premier athletic apparel company in sports. The Nike 'Swoosh' icon is synonymous with excellence, and we are fired up to be repping the new emblem starting in the Fall 2021. We want our players to have the very best in apparel, as well as have a great look on game day. The Swoosh will also be very beneficial in recruiting because future Catamounts want to wear the best." - Mark Speir, Western Carolina Head Football Coach
 
"Our goal has always been – and continues to be – making Western Carolina basketball a national brand. While we have made tremendous strides in that direction, we maintain our consistent effort toward that goal. Our new deal with Nike will provide another strong step forward in that regard. When a player thinks Nike, they think basketball. When student-athletes see that 'swoosh,' they think basketball. We are honored that Nike felt strongly enough to finalize this relationship, and look forward to making them proud to have Western Carolina men's basketball as part of their family." – Mark Prosser, Western Carolina Head Men's Basketball Coach
 
"With such an unprecedented year of uncertainty, the shift to a partnership with the iconic Nike brand only continues to drive forward WCU Athletics' commitment to providing the best for its student-athletes and staff regardless of the circumstances.  Our team and program could not be more excited to work with Nike/BSN with their quality customer service and willingness to go the extra mile to help us fit our teams with quality performance and training gear.  This partnership for WCU Athletics has the potential to be a game-changer on multiple levels not only specifically for our sport but as a whole for our entire university and Catamount Nation." - Kiley Hill, Western Carolina Head Women's Basketball Coach
 
Keep track of everything related to WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports) and Twitter (@Catamounts).
 
About NIKE, INC.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.
 
About BSN SPORTS:
Dallas-based BSN SPORTS markets and distributes to over 100,000 institutional and team sports customers in colleges and universities, middle and high schools, and recreational programs throughout the United States via catalog, e-commerce, and direct sales. Focused on providing game-changing solutions through local partnerships, multi-brand selection and one-stop shopping for equipment and uniforms, BSN SPORTS' more than 3,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS please visit www.bsnsports.com.