(LAKE CHARLES, LA). – McNeese Athletics, BSN Sports and Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE: UA, UAA) announced a new partnership agreement. The Baltimore-based global leader in performance footwear, apparel and equipment will became the official outfitter of McNeese Athletics beginning July 1, 2018.
 
"We are excited to partner with McNeese Athletics and Under Armour in elevating the performance and impact of their athletics program.  This strategic partnership provides the finest apparel and athletic products to the Cowboy and Cowgirl athletic teams and benefits each student athlete representing the community on the athletic field or court" said Todd Northrop, Vice President – Collegiate Select.  "We are proud to be their partner and pleased that we can elevate the student-athlete experience."
 
As part of the multi-year agreement, Under Armour and BSN Sports will provide on-field and training gear for all varsity sports. Additionally, the two will join to outfit members of the athletic department, including coaches and staff.
 
"This is an exciting day for McNeese Athletics and a monumental moment in our program's history," said McNeese Director of Athletics Bruce Hemphill. "We are partnering with two of the top apparel companies in the world, and we look forward to growing our brand with them. This partnership will benefit our student-athletes, the university, our fans, and the community."
 
The new official outfitter agreement includes apparel allotments each year and, marketing entitlements that will complement Under Armour's brand marketing campaigns, through print and venue presence, at the University.
 
"The value of the University partnership with Under Armour and BSN Sports goes way beyond the direct financial impact to the programs," said McNeese Associate AD Tanner Stines. "The opportunity to place the McNeese Athletics brand next to one of the largest companies in sports will have lasting effects on the recruiting, performance, and the profitability of our teams moving forward."
 
McNeese sponsors 16 sports in the NCAA Division I ranks and is the longest tenured member the Southland Conference, now in its 47^th season.
 
McNeese's football program is one of the top teams in the FCS year-in and year-out. The Cowboys have made a Southland Conference record 17 FCS playoff appearances including playing for the national championship in 1997 and 2002. The program has also won a league record 14 conference championships.
 
McNeese is the home to the 1955-56 Men's Basketball NAIA National Champions, and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons. As a whole, McNeese Athletics has won a total of 79 conference championships and has made numerous national postseason tournament appearances, most recently McNeese Softball's three consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament.
 
McNeese joins the growing Under Armour roster of NCAA partners that includes the University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Berkeley, University of Wisconsin, University of Notre Dame, Naval Academy Athletic Association, University of Maryland, Texas Tech University, Northwestern University, University of Cincinnati, Boston College, University of Utah, University of South Carolina and Auburn University.
 
ABOUT UNDER ARMOUR, INC.
Under Armour, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland is a leading innovator, marketer and distributor of branded performance athletic apparel, footwear and accessories. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand's innovative products are sold worldwide to consumers with active lifestyles. The company's Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world's largest digitally connected health and fitness community. For further information, please visit www.uabiz.com.
 
ABOUT BSN SPORTS
BSN SPORTS is the leading marketer, manufacturer and distributor of sporting goods apparel and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS markets and distributes its products 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 2,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS please visit www.bsnsports.com.