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Russell Corporation signs agreement with CIAA
March 23, 2005
ATLANTA, -- Russell Corporation
has announced that it has signed an agreement to be the
exclusive provider of athletic apparel, team uniforms, balls
and sports equipment to all 12 member schools of the Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the oldest of the
Historically Black College and University Conferences. Russell
will also become an official sponsor of the CIAA basketball tournament.
With the addition of the CIAA, Russell now has partnerships
with the four major Historically Black Athletic Conferences
representing 46 schools. The company had signed agreements
in 2004 with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
"This agreement allows us the opportunity to involve
our full range of products and brands beyond the team uniform
business," said Jon Letzler, president and COO. "By
including our Russell Athletic, JERZEES, AAI, Huffy Sports,
Bike and Spalding brands, we will have increased brand awareness
and sales opportunities across the campuses, including the
playing fields and courts as well as the college bookstores.
"This latest agreement also provides the added potential
of the CIAA basketball tournament," added Letzler. "We
are excited to be a part of what is widely recognized as one
of our country's legendary sporting events."
Athletic programs included in the agreement are men's and
women's basketball, football, baseball, softball and volleyball.
Russell's association with the schools will begin immediately.
Member schools of the CIAA are: Bowie State University, Elizabeth
City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson
C. Smith University, Livingstone College, North Carolina Central
University, Saint Augustine's College, Saint Paul's College,
Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union
University and Winston-Salem State University.
"We are proud to have Russell as a partner with the CIAA.
Russell's extensive brand lineup and the quality of their products
speak for themselves," said CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry. "This
relationship will have such a positive impact for the CIAA
member institutions and the student athletes by providing additional
scholarship monies. Also, we know the teams will be wearing
the best uniforms made.
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