CHARLESTON, IL – Eastern Illinois University Athletics today (April 18) announced a partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS, a division of Varsity Brands, the nation's largest direct sales and distributor of sporting goods to school and league markets. announced an apparel contract. Through this partnership, BSN SPORTS will serve as the official apparel and equipment provider for the Eastern Illinois Athletic Program, offering the university's athletes, coaches and community members the best selection of NIKE products beginning July 1, 2024.
The partnership, which will span the next five years, will see BSN SPORTS exclusively provide the Panthers' apparel, footwear and other equipment needs, which will be highlighted by NIKE's team equipment.
“This agreement with Eastern Illinois University, BSN SPORTS and NIKE is a tremendous value-add for the coaches, student-athletes and administrators associated with Eastern Illinois Athletics,” said BSN SPORTS Vice President of Collegiate Selection Programs. Todd Northrop said. “We are dedicated to elevating the program experience for Panther coaches and teams by providing the best possible service, unparalleled access to premier team equipment and apparel, and extensive brand resources. This partnership will further support the university's growing sports brand and fan base, as well as attire.''Panther student-athletes are equipped with state-of-the-art gear to perform at their best in the game. Coaches have more time to invest in positively impacting their athletes. ”
EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael said, “Nike is synonymous with a level of excellence and championship quality, and that is what we strive for in both the competitive sports and lives of our Eastern Illinois student-athletes.” That's true.'' “This opportunity to partner with NIKE and BSN SPORTS, leaders in the sports apparel industry, only serves to enhance the experience we can provide our Panther student-athletes. We are excited to enter into this partnership and grow. I'm excited to continue the success of our athletic department. ”
Eastern Illinois is set to move to BSN SPORTS/NIKE as the Panthers currently sit first in the standings for the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup, which is awarded to the best-performing athletic department in the league. ing. Since last spring, EIU has won OVC championships in baseball, softball, volleyball, men's and women's cross country, and the Panthers football team finished the regular season ranked in the FCS Top 25.
This new agreement brings EIU Athletics to an agreement with the world's best apparel and footwear provider, ensuring the consistency of EIU Athletics' brand for years to come.
About BSN Sports
BSN SPORTS, based in Farmers Branch, is a leading marketing, manufacturing and sales company of sporting goods apparel and equipment. His BSN SPORTS, a division of Varsity Brands, sells and sells products to his more than 150,000 organized and team sports customers in colleges, middle schools, high schools, and recreational programs across the United States through catalogs, e-commerce, and direct sales. We are distributing it. BSN SPORTS' more than 3,000 employees have been involved in team sports since 1972, with a focus on providing innovative solutions through regional partnerships, multi-brand selection, and one-stop shopping for equipment and uniforms. This has contributed to promoting participation. Click here to learn more about BSN SPORTS. Visit www.BSNSPORTS.com. For more information about collegiate partnership opportunities with BSN SPORTS, please contact BSN SPORTS Collegiate Select Vice President of Partnerships Todd Northrop at tnorthrop@bsnsports.com.
About Eastern Illinois
Eastern Illinois is a comprehensive public university located in Charleston, Illinois, offering excellent and accessible undergraduate and graduate education. EIU competes at the NCAA Division I level (his FCS in the case of football) offering 21 sports competing in the Ohio Valley Conference. EIU is an associate member of the Horizon League (men's tennis) and the Summit League (men's and women's swimming). Over the past year, EIU made the NCAA Tournament in baseball, softball and volleyball, and won conference championships in men's and women's cross country. The Panthers football team ranked in the FCS Top 25 last season.
