ECU announces long-term pact with Nike

From staff and ECU reports
©2006 Bonesville.net

East Carolina athletics and Nike have entered into a five-year partnership that will equip all of the school's sports programs and bring licensed ECU/Nike products to retail stores.

The deal, which will begin with the 2006-2007 school year, will provide footwear, apparel and equipment for all Pirate sports teams, according to an ECU press release.

The terms of the contract ensure that ECU teams in all sports will utilize Nike equipment and will be outfitted from "head to toe" in Nike uniforms, including practice and travel gear, said the announcement.

Pirate fans will be on the receiving end of the merchandising aspects of the accord, which contemplates the distribution of officially-licensed ECU/Nike-branded products through retail outlets including game-day souvenir booths at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and local bookstore locations.

"The agreement with Nike will be a home run for everyone associated with the Pirate family," ECU Director of Athletics Terry Holland said in a statement. "Our coaches and team members are pleased with the quality of the Nike product from head to toe and our fans will be extremely pleased with the improved availability of retail product that will allow every member of the Pirate Nation to show their true colors."

"This partnership is indicative of the respect Pirate athletics is earning in a highly competitive marketplace," Holland's statement continued, "and I truly appreciate the hard work of Lee Workman, who handles our licensing, to make this initiative a reality for us."

Workman is ECU's Assistant Athletics Director for Special Projects.

Nike, based near Beaverton, OR, 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.

"Nike is truly enthused with the opportunity of partnering with the Pirates," Scott Zanon, Nike's National Manager of College Team Sales, stated. "ECU is a quality institution, both academically and athletically, and a school that Nike is proud to be associated with. We are honored to add East Carolina to the family of Nike colleges and look forward to outfitting student-athletes at ECU with the Nike swoosh for many years to come."

©2006 All rights rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A release from ECU's athletics media relations office was used in compiling this report.

02/23/2007 11:43:19 AM