TicketsJune 12, 2006
CINCINNATI, OH -- The University of Cincinnati and adidas have entered into a new multi-year multi-sport partnership agreement that allows adidas, one of the world's leading sports footwear and apparel companies, to provide product for the various sports of the University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics, one of the most respected collegiate sports programs in the country.
With this multi-million dollar partnership UC teams covered under the agreement will perform in adidas footwear, apparel and accessories, beginning in the 2006-07 season.
The Bearcats join adidas' prestigious stable of partner universities, which includes Notre Dame, UCLA, Tennessee, and Nebraska.
"We are excited and proud of our new partnership with adidas," UC director of athletics Mike Thomas said. "The quality of their products and their dedication to sponsoring collegiate teams makes adidas a terrific fit for Cincinnati. Their substantial commitment clearly demonstrates their understanding of the tremendous value of UC athletics and helps us elevate our program joining the other adidas schools who are the elite of intercollegiate sport."
As a first step this season's UC basketball programs will be outfitted in newly designed adidas uniforms and footwear, including a special retro men's basketball uniform which will pay tribute to the NCAA Championship teams of 1961 and 1962. The customized uniforms are in the initial design phase and will be introduced later this fall along with a wide range of retail products for fans that include sideline gear, coaches' polo shirts, hats, jackets and outerwear.
"I am very excited about our partnership with adidas", new head men's basketball coach Mick Cronin stated. "The people at adidas are first-class and their commitment to our university, especially to men's basketball, is greatly appreciated.
"My goal is to build the best program in college basketball and our new partnership with adidas is a major step in building towards that goal," Cronin Continued. "adidas' partnership with the NBA and with other historically elite programs of college basketball will provide UC Athletics a great platform to tell our story, which will be a major plus in recruiting the best prospective student-athletes."
"adidas has found that with partnerships such as this one with the University of Cincinnati, both parties involved understand all the intangible aspects that make this type of relationship mutually beneficial," stated Tim Haney, Director of Licensed Properties for adidas America. "Everyone at adidas is very excited about the unlimited possibilities in partnering with a university as rich in tradition as Cincinnati."
UC head women's basketball coach Laurie Pirtle is entering her 21st year on the Bearcats sideline and says that adidas' commitment to UC women's basketball will help her program in many ways. "adidas has been a strong proponent of women's sport as long as their company has been around. Some of the top college women's basketball programs in the nation are affiliated with adidas and we are excited to be welcomed in to this group. This agreement will have an immediate impact on our program, as well as other programs here at UC. "
Now a member of the prestigious BIG EAST Conference, the nation's largest and most visible Division I sports league, the University of Cincinnati is a broad-based athletic program that sponsors 18 sports for women and men. The storied Bearcat athletic history, which began in 1885, includes two national championships in men's basketball, as well as more than 50 conference championships in all sports.
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world. Brand adidas is a member of the adidas Group one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the three core brands of adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf.