WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University Athletics has officially agreed to a five-year partnership with the Nike brand through BSN SPORTS, slated to begin later this calendar year within the organization's Collegiate Select Program.

The collaborative agreement will be further celebrated with an official Launch Party come Thursday, March 14 on campus from 12-2 p.m.

"This is an exciting partnership for Otterbein University," said Dr. Greg Lott, director of athletics. "The agreement provides day-to-day support for our programs and access to the premier athletic apparel brand in Nike. BSN SPORTS' capacity in facility branding will enhance our aesthetics and their scale decreases operational costs. It's a win for the student-athlete experience."

Otterbein is dedicated to furthering a well-rounded program of 22 intercollegiate sports – currently 12 for men and 12 for women – along with other competitive club and recreational activities. Over the past decade, the Cardinals have won a combined 62 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season and/or tournament titles from a team standpoint. More than 80 percent of programs have been represented in the NCAA Championships during the same time span.

In addition, our student-athletes have consistently produced in the classroom with Otterbein racking up 25 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in the last decade and routinely finishing near the top of the league in seasonal Academic All-OAC qualifiers.

"It's a privilege to partner alongside Otterbein University for the next five years as they embark on a new era for their student-athletes," said Todd Northrop, Vice President of BSN SPORTS' Collegiate Select Program. "The support, sales expertise, and custom brand resources that BSN SPORTS will bring to the Cardinals community will elevate the experience for athletes and the broader Otterbein community, while saving their coaches time in administrative processes. Ultimately our goal through this partnership is to allow coaches and administrators to focus on what matters most – their student-athletes."

The ongoing relationship with BSN also allows Otterbein Athletics to continue unifying its brand, updating guidelines internally surrounding colors, schemes and logos to ensure a cohesive look into the future.

"A cohesive look when the Cardinals take the playing surface will help elevate our brand," Lott added. "When prospective student-athletes and families see our coaches at their contests, it is important that they instantly recognize Otterbein. Cardinal fans will now have more consistent access to quality apparel so they can support our programs in the stands and communities. It is imperative that our brand magnifies the athletic and academic caliber of Otterbein."

ABOUT BSN SPORTS

Farmers Branch-based BSN SPORTS is a 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 150,000 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 3,000 employees have been helping elevate participation in team sports since 1972. For more information about BSN SPORTS please visit www.BSNSPORTS.com.

ABOUT NIKE, Inc.

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike has become 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. 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.