The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics has announced that it is extending its partnership with Nike, the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories, and BSN SPORTS, the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to athletic institutions.

This extended partnership ensures that Valpo student-athletes across all sports will continue to be supported with Nike apparel for seasons to come. Valpo will continue to benefit from access to BSN SPORTS’ line of Campus Branding products featuring exclusive Nike branding designs and customizable online fanwear shops for the Valpo community. The partnership supports Valpo’s branding change to the new Beacons nickname.

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Nike and BSN SPORTS,” Valpo Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera said. “We are excited to continue to outfit student-athletes across all of our programs in premier Nike product selection. We are appreciative of Nike’s support of our branding change and are excited that we will be part of the Nike team for years to come.”

The multi-year agreement includes budget support for all 17 intercollegiate programs, numerous incentives in the form of discounts and rewards along with incentives for on-field achievements and additional marketing and promotional opportunities.

“Through this agreement between Valparaiso University, BSN SPORTS and NIKE, our team is proud of the opportunity to support Valpo student-athletes and staff with unparalleled access to top team gear and apparel,” Todd Northrop, Vice President of BSN SPORTS Collegiate Select Program, said. “While our team will stay connected to the daily needs of coaches and administrators, the Valparaiso community will benefit from BSN SPORTS’ expansive resources including program branding products, our team of sport category experts and leading purchasing support teams to keep Beacon athletes at the top of their game. We are proud of this partnership and welcome the opportunity to put time back in the days of Valparaiso coaches, so they can continue focusing on positively impacting the lives of student-athletes.”

ABOUT NIKE, INC.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, 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. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

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.